The Crucible The Crucible

By Arthur Miller By Arthur Miller

Crucible: (noun)Crucible: (noun)

1) a heat resistant container for 1) a heat resistant container for melting ironmelting iron

2) a severe trial 2) a severe trial

Puritan Living Puritan Living

Strict Religious beliefs. Strict Religious beliefs. Main goal in life was to serve GodMain goal in life was to serve GodSimple Farming CommunitiesSimple Farming CommunitiesBelieved in wealth and prosperity, Believed in wealth and prosperity,

land ownershipland ownership

Puritan Living Puritan Living

Puritans were responsible for:Puritans were responsible for:Public schools Public schools Organized government Organized government Printing PressPrinting PressIntellectual stimulation in growing Intellectual stimulation in growing

Colonies Colonies

Puritan imagesPuritan images

Puritan Images Puritan Images

The Real Story The Real Story In 1688, four young girls accused a In 1688, four young girls accused a

laundry woman of "bewitching" them. laundry woman of "bewitching" them. What could have been stopped What could have been stopped progressed into a community tragedy. progressed into a community tragedy. The young women enjoyed the attention The young women enjoyed the attention this story afforded them, but no doubt this story afforded them, but no doubt were afraid that their lies would be were afraid that their lies would be found out. In an effort to further found out. In an effort to further punctuate their story, they lapsed into punctuate their story, they lapsed into prolonged convulsions. Those who were prolonged convulsions. Those who were "possessed by the devil" were forced to "possessed by the devil" were forced to make confessions of their evil liaisons in make confessions of their evil liaisons in order to protect their families and order to protect their families and properties from harm .properties from harm .

The Real Story The Real Story

Those who denounced witchcraft Those who denounced witchcraft (thereby calling the witnesses liars) (thereby calling the witnesses liars) were then accused themselves. In the were then accused themselves. In the frenzy to follow, by 1690 two hundred frenzy to follow, by 1690 two hundred persons were held in jail, fifty persons were held in jail, fifty sentenced prison and twenty sentenced prison and twenty executed (along with 2 dogs). executed (along with 2 dogs).

Cotton Mather, a leader of the group, Cotton Mather, a leader of the group, quietly led the way in bringing this quietly led the way in bringing this crisis to an end. The devotion they crisis to an end. The devotion they held in maintaining a religious society held in maintaining a religious society in isolation razz berry 1980 in isolation razz berry 1980 mscottn mindspringmscottn mindspring

Arthur Miller 1915-2005Arthur Miller 1915-2005

Major Works:Major Works:Death of A Salesman Death of A Salesman The Crucible The Crucible

Arthur Miller Arthur Miller

Married Marilyn Monroe Married Marilyn Monroe

Arthur Miller Arthur Miller

Wrote Wrote The CrucibleThe Crucible in response to in response to McCarthyism- McCarthyism- the crusade led by Senator the crusade led by Senator Joseph McCarthy to hunt down and Joseph McCarthy to hunt down and prosecute people suspected of communism prosecute people suspected of communism during the 1950’s.during the 1950’s.

Many actors, writers, film makers, Many actors, writers, film makers, musicians, and regular civilians were musicians, and regular civilians were brought to trial for having “Communist” brought to trial for having “Communist” ideas. Arthur Miller was among those ideas. Arthur Miller was among those accused. accused.

Miller saw a direct comparison to the Salem Miller saw a direct comparison to the Salem Witch Trials of the Puritans in 1692.Witch Trials of the Puritans in 1692.

Drama Terms Drama Terms

Protagonist – the central character in Protagonist – the central character in a work of fiction a work of fiction

Antagonist – the character that Antagonist – the character that opposes the main character opposes the main character

Foil – a minor character whose traits Foil – a minor character whose traits contrast sharply with those of the contrast sharply with those of the main character. main character.

Tragic HeroTragic Hero

Four TraitsFour TraitsPosition of high rank, respect, or Position of high rank, respect, or

authorityauthorityPossesses extraordinary talents Possesses extraordinary talents Has a TRAGIC FLAW that will bring about Has a TRAGIC FLAW that will bring about

his/her downfallhis/her downfallFaces downfall with dignity and courage. Faces downfall with dignity and courage.

Drama Terms Drama Terms

Dialogue – conversation between two or Dialogue – conversation between two or more characters more characters

Monologue – a long speech given while Monologue – a long speech given while other characters are on stageother characters are on stage

Soliloquy – speech given while a character Soliloquy – speech given while a character is alone on stageis alone on stage

Aside – a short statement made that is Aside – a short statement made that is only meant to be heard by the audience or only meant to be heard by the audience or select characters. select characters.

Drama Terms Drama Terms

Dramatic Irony – When the audience Dramatic Irony – When the audience is aware of something that the is aware of something that the characters on stage do not know. characters on stage do not know.

Paradox – a statement that Paradox – a statement that contradicts itself. Example: “Trust contradicts itself. Example: “Trust me. Everything I am telling you is me. Everything I am telling you is definitely false.”definitely false.”