Introduction to The Crucible

The Salem Witch Trials

• The Crucible is based on real people and events which occurred in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692.

• Twenty people were killed: nineteen were hung for convictions of witchcraft, while one man, Giles Corey, was pressed to death beneath the weight of stones for refusing to submit to trial.

Puritan (from to purify)..

• The play occurs during the seventeenth and eighteenth century Salem Witch trials and involves the Puritan beliefs and religion.

• Puritans came from Europe because they felt religion there was too decadent.

• A very religious people. They felt that people could form compacts with the devil. The devil would do actions for them in this life and then when they died he would have their souls.

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)

Cont’

• (HUAC) investigated ‘ Communist’ involvement in the film industry, education, unions and the government. Witnesses were supposed to prove their loyalty by naming former Communists they had known. If they didn’t they could face a jail sentence and be ‘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 tide eventually turns….

• Soon, however, public opinion turned against McCarthy

• With the hearings televised, McCarthy came across as a vicious bully and a liar. (See Good Night and Good Luck!) By 1954, he was forced out of public life and died three years later, an alcoholic.

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.

Arthur Miller, the playwright (b. 1915, d. 2005)

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

• Was called to testify before HUAC and refused to name names.

• Convicted of contempt of court; appealed and won

• “… 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.” ~ Arthur Miller

Ideas We Will Explore as We Read the Play:

• What motivates us?• What makes someone a leader or

a follower?• Intolerance• Abuse of power• Respect and reputation

Terms to know

A Crucible– noun

• Etymology: Middle English corusible, from Medieval Latin crucibulum earthen pot for melting metals

• Date: 15th century • 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

Theocracy• noun

– Etymology: • Greek theokratia, from the- + -kratia -cracy

– Date: 1622 – 1 : government of a state by immediate divine

guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided

– 2 : a state governed by a theocracy

Spectral Evidence– Spectral: adjective

• Date: 1769 • 1 : of, relating to, or suggesting a specter :

ghostly

Persecution» noun

– Date: 14th century – 1 : the act or practice of persecuting

especially those who differ in origin, religion, or social outlook

– 2 : the condition of being persecuted, harassed, or annoyed

Mass Hysteriaa condition in which a large group

of people exhibit the same state of violent mental agitation

Examples: McMartin Preschool Trials

Guilt by Associationthe attribution of guilt (without

proof) to individuals because the people they associate with are guilty

Witch HuntAn investigation carried out

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