Introduction to The Crucible

The Salem Witch Trials

The Crucible is based on real people and events

Salem, Massachusetts, 1692. Twenty people killed Religious beliefs played a huge role

Puritan (from to purify)..

17th century Puritan beliefs and religion

New England (Salem, Massachusetts) Came from Europe very religious believed in the devil and feared his

power

Puritan Beliefs…

1. Predestination

2. The Bible is the literal word of God

3. Valued plainness in worship & lifestyle

4. Considered hard work a religious duty

5. Church was the center of the community

Established a theocracy Punishable offences:

adultery, fornication, drunkenness, theft, murder, breaches of the Sabbath, blasphemy, gambling, participating in theatrical performances.

The “unknown” or “unfamiliar” was suspect

However, there is a deeper meaning to Arthur Miller’s tale….

Allegory: – A story in which people, things, and

happenings have another meaning, as in fable or parable. Many critics have referred to The Crucible as a political allegory.

Miller was writing during a time of fear….

McCarthyism

Period in the 1950’s Named for Senator Joseph McCarthy, from the state of

Wisconsin. On February 12, 1950, he delivered a speech in Wheeling,

West Virginia which triggered a four year hunt for alleged communists in government.

Claimed he had a list of 250 names of communists who had infiltrated USA.

Created HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee)

McCarthyism Continued…

(HUAC) investigated ‘ Communist’ involvement in the film industry, education, unions and the government.

Witnesses were supposed to prove their loyalty by naming former Communists/communists they had known.

faced a jail sentence and ‘blacklisted’ so they couldn’t get a job.

Evidence was not needed to name names…

Consequences….

The HUAC summoned 2,375 men and women, which was enough to cost them their jobs.

400 Americans went to jail – not having a fair trial – what lawyers would risk his career defending suspected communists?

McCarthy bullied, threatened and abused witnesses while he accused them of Communist sympathies.

The Effects….. 9,500 civil servants were dismissed and

15,000 resigned; 600 teachers lost their jobs and many fine

actors and scriptwriters were unable to work again.

Charlie Chaplin, the biggest Hollywood movie star of the pre-war years

(and also a Communist) left America in disgust.

The tide eventually turns….

Eventually public opinion turned against McCarthy Televised hearings McCarthy a vicious bully and a liar. he was forced out of public life and died three years

later, an alcoholic.

Arthur Miller, the playwright 1915 - 2005

Common theme in his plays: the tragedy of the common man who loses his integrity due to social and economic pressures.

He was called to testify before HUAC and refused to name names.

Convicted of contempt of court; appealed and won

In response to why he wrote “The Crucible”, he said “… I decided to write "The Crucible" not only as a document on historical events but as a warning to everybody that such a "witchhunt" – persecuting people for whatever - can happen again at any time at any place, because there is evil in everybody that can be activated or called to life by calculated political manipulation at any time anywhere in the world.”

As We Read the Play we will explore what motivates us as human beings by examining:

The influence and power of fear Choices and their consequences The desire and need for power and control The desire for respect and favor from

others Deception

Useful Terms to Know

A Crucible

Has three possible meanings: 1 : a vessel of a very refractory material (as

porcelain) used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat

2 : a severe test 3 : a place or situation in which concentrated forces

interact to cause or influence change or development

Which do you think most likely applies based on what we have learned today?

Theocracy

a form of government in which a country is ruled by religious leaders.

- Said leaders are believed to be receiving divine guidance from God and are therefore acting on God’s behalf

Spectral Evidence

Spectral evidence is a form of evidence based upon dreams and visions. Evidence that could be used in a court of law in Salem during the seventeenth century.

Spectral evidence was testimony that the accused witch's spirit (i.e. spectre) appeared to the witness in a dream or vision (for example, a black cat or wolf).

The dream or vision was admitted as evidence. Thus, witnesses (who were often the accusers) would testify that various people were responsible for crimes against a person even though they were physically elsewhere at the time.

Persecute

the act or practice of harassing; especially those who differ in origin, religion, or social outlook

Mass Hysteria

a condition in which a large group of people exhibit the same state of violent mental agitation for no apparent reason

Guilt by Association

the attribution of guilt (without proof) to individuals because the people they associate with are guilty

Witch Hunt

An investigation carried out ostensibly to uncover subversive activities but actually used to harass and undermine those with differing views.

Historical “witchhunts”:The Holocaust, Rawanda, Sudan, the 9/11 terrorist Watchlist