ARTHUR MILLERS THE CRUCIBLE A Criticism of Current
ARTHUR MILLER’S THE CRUCIBLE A Criticism of Current Affairs & An Examination of History
Playwright’s Bio Arthur Miller was born in 1915 in New York City He was the son of a coat manufacturer ruined by the Great Depression Attended college at the University of Michigan Married several times (Second wife was Marilyn Monroe)
Famous Works 1938 - The Grass Still Grows 1944 - The Man Who Had All the Luck (Theater Guild Award) 1945 - Focus (a novel attacking Anti. Semitism) 1947 - All My Sons (New York Drama Critic’s Award) 1949 - Death of a Salesman (Pulitzer Prize winner and considered one of the greatest contemporary dramas) 1953 - The Crucible (Tony Award)
Themes & Style Writer with a social conscience Focused on those vulnerable to false values imposed on them by society The effect of opportunism on family relationships Realism
The Crucible Ostensibly about the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 Used trial documents but fictionalized Combined, created or changed characters Major trial events are relatively accurate Really a criticism of the House Committee on Un-American Activities
Makings of a Salem Witch Hunt Salem was a village divided Salem was repressed Land ownership disputes Dispute about reverend position & compensation People stubborn about deeply held beliefs Expression of individual thoughts and desires frowned upon or even outlawed Children were to be seen not heard ; particularly repressed Spark & Ignition A group of girls were caught playing at magic and pressured into naming those who bewitched them A special court was set up Spectral evidence was used
Makings of a Communist Hunt WWII rise of Communist Party in the US Cold War becomes intense after USSR gains atomic power Conservatives in power Truman initiates disloyalty laws House of Un-American Activities Committee reinvigorated Investigates communist activity Alger Hiss and Rosenberg Cases Hollywood Blacklist & The Hollywood Ten Mc. Carthy and his accusations Others pressured to name others as communists
Results of both Witch Hunts Colonial Salem 20 innocent people were executed Dozens more were imprisoned One was stoned to death Families lost their land livelihood 1950’s Hundreds unjustly lost their jobs 10 were jailed for 6 months to 2 years 1 was sentenced to 5 years in prison 2 were executed
Literary Elements to Look For Themes & Motifs Intolerance & Jealousy Irrationality & Hysteria Reputation The Court Irony Tragic fall Using righteousness for personal gain Tragedy John Proctor as tragic hero Finds his moral center as everything crumbles around him
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