The Crucible Class Notes Playwright Social commentator Historical

The Crucible Class Notes

Playwright Social commentator

Historical Influences on Miller �Miller born 1915 �Stock Market Crash 1929 �Great Depression �WWII- 1939 -1945 �Communism and Mc. Carthyism

Personal Information � Born to Jewish immigrant parents � enrolled in the University of Michigan where he studied writing and worked on a number of plays � Moved to New York after graduating and worked as a freelance writer � Had a short marriage to actress Marilyn Monroe � Information from http: //www. pbs. org/wnet/americanmasters/database/miller_a. html

Miller and wife Marilyn Monroe

Miller’s Plays �All My Sons- 1947 �Death of a Salesman- 1949 �The Crucible- 1953 - regarding Salem Witch Trials (a commentary on Mc. Carthyism)

Themes �Power conflicts �Social responsibility �The impact of the past �Guilt �Hope �Corruption of authority �Struggle between individual and authority

Mc. Carthyism �is the term describing a period of intense anti- Communist suspicion in the United States that lasted roughly from late 1940 s to late 1950 s �During this time, many Americans were subject to investigations �The primary targets were government employees, educators, union activists, and some entertainers �Many people lost jobs or were imprisoned

Pg. 3�Spring, Salem, MA – 1692 �Rev. Parris-doesn’t believe in the witchcraft- “no evidence”, afraid of losing respect , Harvard College, people don’t like him, Betty, he’s a widower, not good with kids �Puritan life- no personal, vain enjoyment, work, pray �WILDERNESS/ FOREST- “Devil’s last preserve” �Girls- drinking blood, running naked in woods �Sent for Rev. Hale of Beverly

Pg. 8�Witch hunt �Pg. 8 - land lust �Cry witch- makes others lose land �Tituba- slave from Barbados, “speak to the dead”, cares for Betty (works for Rev. Parris), �Abigail – 17 years old, parents were killed by NA, violent, leader of the girls, drank blood, �Mr. and Mrs. Putnam �Mrs. Putnam- lost 7/8 children- only Ruth is left

�Thomas Putnam �Vindictive, resentful, bitter �Wealthy/ entitled members of community �Doesn’t like Rev. Parris �Believes that “witch craft” is responsible for children’s behavior

Abigail, Mercy Lewis, and Mary Warren - Abigail- used to work for Proctor family - Mercy- works for Putnams (taking care of Ruth) - Mary – works for Proctors currently – 17, lonely, naïve PROCTOR- JOHN - 30’s - “he is a sinner” – he hasn’t followed his own moral code - It’s OVER Abby!

�Rebecca Nurse �Mediator �Older, wise woman, voice of reason �She has many children, grandchildren �Accused of witch craft �Rev. Hale- minister from Beverly who is coming at the request of Rev. Parris

�Proctor, Putnam, Parris �Fighting about land resources �Proctor v. Putnam �Giles siding with Proctor

Act 1 - things we should notice 1. The discussion of “wilderness”. 2. The way the Puritans live 3. The social tension 4. The selfish reasons that people would come to “call” each other witches 5. How reputation impacts or does not impact