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The Crucible

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The document provides background information on Arthur Miller's play The Crucible, which uses the Salem witch trials of 1692 as an allegory for the anti-communist witch hunts of the 1950s led by Senator Joseph McCarthy. It discusses the historical context of the Salem witch trials and McCarthyism, as well as key characters and themes in Miller's play such as Abigail Williams' vendetta against Elizabeth Proctor and John Proctor's refusal to falsely confess to witchcraft and condemn others.

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The Crucible By Arthur Miller
Defining a “crucible” Crucible : A container for melting something: a heat-resistant container in which metals are melted Testing circumstances: a place or set of circumstances where people or things are subjected to forces that test them
The Crucible is . . . Puritanism + Witchcraft + McCarthyism + Arthur Miller
Puritanism Christian faith England 1600s Predestination Seeking to purify church  emigrated to America Strict, hard-working, plain
Salem, Massachusetts The Crucible based on Salem witchcraft ordeal Puritans believed in witches Witchcraft = “entering into a compact with the devil in exchange for certain powers to do evil” Witchcraft = a sin & a crime Serious accusation Investigated thoroughly
Witchcraft in Salem The witchcraft hysteria began in Salem, MA in 1692 Reverend Samuel Parris’s daughter and Abigail Williams started having fits of convulsion, screaming, and hallucination A doctor examined the girls and concluded that the only explanation for these bizarre behaviors was witchcraft
Witchcraft in Salem A recently published book of the time detailed the symptoms of witchcraft; the girls’ fits were much like those described in the book Therefore, the Puritans of Salem were quick to believe the doctor’s diagnosis
Witchcraft in Salem The girls pointed fingers at Tituba (the Parris’ slave), Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborn, which sparked a witch hunt
Witchcraft in Salem During the next 8 months of terror, more than 150 people were imprisoned for witchcraft By the time court was dismissed, 27 people had been convicted, 19 hanged, and 1 pressed to death The hysteria that snowballed in Salem reveals how deep the belief in the supernatural ran in colonial America
McCarthyism A period of intense suspicion in the US during the early 1950s Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed that communists had infiltrated the Department of State A special House Committee on Un-American Activities was formed to investigate allegations of communism During this period, people from all walks of life became the subjects of aggressive “witch hunts” often based on inconclusive, questionable evidence
McCarthyism Persons accused of being communists were often denied employment In the US film industry alone, over 300 actors, writers, and directors were denied work American writer, Arthur Miller, was one of those alleged to have been “blacklisted.”
McCarthyism 1954  famous CBS newsman, Edward R. Murrow, aired an investigative news report revealing McCarthy as dishonest in his speeches and abusive in his interrogation of witnesses The public was finally made aware of how McCarthy was ruining the reputations of many individuals through false accusations of communism Edward R. Murrow
Arthur Miller 1915-2005 American Playwright and Writer 1953- The Crucible uses the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692 to attack the anti-communist “witch hunts” of 1950s Thought witchcraft trial hysteria paralleled climate of McCarthyism After publishing The Crucible , Miller was investigated for possible associations with the communist party Refused to give information regarding colleagues, found guilty of contempt of court. His sentence was later overturned.
 
Drama Written to be performed for an audience Two main types: Tragedy  serious, downfall Comedy  light, humorous Includes plot, setting, characters, theme
Drama Dialogue = conversation between characters Central character = protagonist Opposing character = antagonist Conflict = struggle between opposing forces Theme = central message
Drama Stage Directions italicized instructions that identify the setting suggest the use of props, lighting, scenery, sound effects, and costumes; describe how characters look, speak, move, and react provide background information
The Crucible A group of girls accuses their fellow townspeople of witchcraft Several people are arrested and charged and a huge trial ensues
Abigail Williams Orphaned niece of Reverend Parris She was once the mistress of John Proctor but was turned out when his wife discovered the affair.  She is extremely jealous of Elizabeth Proctor and uses her power in the town to rid herself of Elizabeth as well as any others who have insulted her in the past.  She cannot let go of her obsession with Proctor.  She is the leader of the girls.
John Proctor Husband to Elizabeth He had an affair with Abigail when she was employed in his household.  He knows that the girls are pretending but cannot tell what he knows without revealing having been alone with Abigail. When Abigail uses her influence to convict his wife, he tries to tell the truth and finds himself condemned.  He refuses to admit to witchcraft or to consider Abigail as anything more than a liar. He is hanged.
Elizabeth Proctor Wife of John Proctor She discovered an affair going on between her husband and Abigail Williams and turned Abigail out of her house.  She is Abigail's main target but is saved from hanging because of her pregnancy.  She feels responsible for driving her husband to infidelity.
Tituba Servant to the Parris household She is a native of Barbados.  She is enlisted by Ruth Putnam and Abigail to cast spells and create charms.  When Abigail turns on her to save herself from punishment, Tituba confesses to all and saves herself.
Reverend Parris Pastor of the church in Salem He is the father of Betty and the uncle of Abigail Williams.  He believes that he is being persecuted and that the townspeople do not respect his position as a man of God.
Deputy Governor Danforth He seems to feel particularly strongly that the girls are honest.  He is sensitive to the presence of the devil and reacts explosively to whatever evidence is presented.
The Girls Betty Parris- Daughter of the Reverend, cousin to Abigail Williams.  She is a weak girl who goes along with her cousin as soon as she is threatened. Susanna Walcott- One of the girls.  She is initially sent between Parris and Dr. Griggs to determine the cause of Betty's ailment. She is easily guided by Abigail. Mercy Lewis- Servant to the Putnam household.  She is a merciless girl who seems to delight in the girls' activities. Mary Warren- Servant to the Proctor household.  Abigail uses her to effectively accuse Elizabeth.  John Proctor takes Mary to the court to confess that the girls are only pretending.  She is not strong enough to fight Abigail and as soon as Abigail leads the other girls against her, Mary caves and runs back to her side by accusing Proctor himself.

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The Crucible

  • 1. The Crucible By Arthur Miller
  • 2. Defining a “crucible” Crucible : A container for melting something: a heat-resistant container in which metals are melted Testing circumstances: a place or set of circumstances where people or things are subjected to forces that test them
  • 3. The Crucible is . . . Puritanism + Witchcraft + McCarthyism + Arthur Miller
  • 4. Puritanism Christian faith England 1600s Predestination Seeking to purify church  emigrated to America Strict, hard-working, plain
  • 5. Salem, Massachusetts The Crucible based on Salem witchcraft ordeal Puritans believed in witches Witchcraft = “entering into a compact with the devil in exchange for certain powers to do evil” Witchcraft = a sin & a crime Serious accusation Investigated thoroughly
  • 6. Witchcraft in Salem The witchcraft hysteria began in Salem, MA in 1692 Reverend Samuel Parris’s daughter and Abigail Williams started having fits of convulsion, screaming, and hallucination A doctor examined the girls and concluded that the only explanation for these bizarre behaviors was witchcraft
  • 7. Witchcraft in Salem A recently published book of the time detailed the symptoms of witchcraft; the girls’ fits were much like those described in the book Therefore, the Puritans of Salem were quick to believe the doctor’s diagnosis
  • 8. Witchcraft in Salem The girls pointed fingers at Tituba (the Parris’ slave), Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborn, which sparked a witch hunt
  • 9. Witchcraft in Salem During the next 8 months of terror, more than 150 people were imprisoned for witchcraft By the time court was dismissed, 27 people had been convicted, 19 hanged, and 1 pressed to death The hysteria that snowballed in Salem reveals how deep the belief in the supernatural ran in colonial America
  • 10. McCarthyism A period of intense suspicion in the US during the early 1950s Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed that communists had infiltrated the Department of State A special House Committee on Un-American Activities was formed to investigate allegations of communism During this period, people from all walks of life became the subjects of aggressive “witch hunts” often based on inconclusive, questionable evidence
  • 11. McCarthyism Persons accused of being communists were often denied employment In the US film industry alone, over 300 actors, writers, and directors were denied work American writer, Arthur Miller, was one of those alleged to have been “blacklisted.”
  • 12. McCarthyism 1954  famous CBS newsman, Edward R. Murrow, aired an investigative news report revealing McCarthy as dishonest in his speeches and abusive in his interrogation of witnesses The public was finally made aware of how McCarthy was ruining the reputations of many individuals through false accusations of communism Edward R. Murrow
  • 13. Arthur Miller 1915-2005 American Playwright and Writer 1953- The Crucible uses the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692 to attack the anti-communist “witch hunts” of 1950s Thought witchcraft trial hysteria paralleled climate of McCarthyism After publishing The Crucible , Miller was investigated for possible associations with the communist party Refused to give information regarding colleagues, found guilty of contempt of court. His sentence was later overturned.
  • 14.  
  • 15. Drama Written to be performed for an audience Two main types: Tragedy  serious, downfall Comedy  light, humorous Includes plot, setting, characters, theme
  • 16. Drama Dialogue = conversation between characters Central character = protagonist Opposing character = antagonist Conflict = struggle between opposing forces Theme = central message
  • 17. Drama Stage Directions italicized instructions that identify the setting suggest the use of props, lighting, scenery, sound effects, and costumes; describe how characters look, speak, move, and react provide background information
  • 18. The Crucible A group of girls accuses their fellow townspeople of witchcraft Several people are arrested and charged and a huge trial ensues
  • 19. Abigail Williams Orphaned niece of Reverend Parris She was once the mistress of John Proctor but was turned out when his wife discovered the affair.  She is extremely jealous of Elizabeth Proctor and uses her power in the town to rid herself of Elizabeth as well as any others who have insulted her in the past.  She cannot let go of her obsession with Proctor.  She is the leader of the girls.
  • 20. John Proctor Husband to Elizabeth He had an affair with Abigail when she was employed in his household.  He knows that the girls are pretending but cannot tell what he knows without revealing having been alone with Abigail. When Abigail uses her influence to convict his wife, he tries to tell the truth and finds himself condemned.  He refuses to admit to witchcraft or to consider Abigail as anything more than a liar. He is hanged.
  • 21. Elizabeth Proctor Wife of John Proctor She discovered an affair going on between her husband and Abigail Williams and turned Abigail out of her house.  She is Abigail's main target but is saved from hanging because of her pregnancy.  She feels responsible for driving her husband to infidelity.
  • 22. Tituba Servant to the Parris household She is a native of Barbados.  She is enlisted by Ruth Putnam and Abigail to cast spells and create charms.  When Abigail turns on her to save herself from punishment, Tituba confesses to all and saves herself.
  • 23. Reverend Parris Pastor of the church in Salem He is the father of Betty and the uncle of Abigail Williams.  He believes that he is being persecuted and that the townspeople do not respect his position as a man of God.
  • 24. Deputy Governor Danforth He seems to feel particularly strongly that the girls are honest.  He is sensitive to the presence of the devil and reacts explosively to whatever evidence is presented.
  • 25. The Girls Betty Parris- Daughter of the Reverend, cousin to Abigail Williams.  She is a weak girl who goes along with her cousin as soon as she is threatened. Susanna Walcott- One of the girls.  She is initially sent between Parris and Dr. Griggs to determine the cause of Betty's ailment. She is easily guided by Abigail. Mercy Lewis- Servant to the Putnam household.  She is a merciless girl who seems to delight in the girls' activities. Mary Warren- Servant to the Proctor household.  Abigail uses her to effectively accuse Elizabeth.  John Proctor takes Mary to the court to confess that the girls are only pretending.  She is not strong enough to fight Abigail and as soon as Abigail leads the other girls against her, Mary caves and runs back to her side by accusing Proctor himself.