The Crucible
by Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller: A Life
Born on October 17, 1915
 Attended the University of Michigan from
1934-1938
 Graduated with a degree in journalism
 Wrote and produced five plays during
college career
 Married three times
 Two daughters, one son

Miller and HUAC
Investigated for possible associations with
the Communist party from 1953 to 1955
 In 1956, he was called to testify before the
House Committee on Un-American
Activities (HUAC).
 Only attended meetings looking to
advocate social justice and equality
 When brought before the committee, he
refused to name any other attendees.

Miller and HUAC (cont.)
Found guilty of contempt
 Later released

The Red Scare
A time of paranoia and hysteria over
communism
 Many government officials were involved
or accused.
 Many writers, actors, and directors lost
their jobs
 Many named names to save their own
careers

Connections
Miller wrote The Crucible as a metaphor
for the Red Scare in the 1950’s.
 He felt there was a “witch hunt” within the
government and beyond
 Like the witch trials, it was easier to admit
guilt than maintain innocence.
 The play is widely performed when social
unrest is present in a culture.

20th Century Witch Hunts

The Holocaust
20th Century Witch Hunts

Japanese-American Internment Camps
20th Century Witch Hunts: Racial
Profiling
African Americans
 Native Americans
 Arab/Middle-Eastern decent

20th Century Witch Hunts:
Stereotypes
Homosexuality
 AIDS

The Story
The story takes place in
1692 during the Salem
Witch Trials
During this time, Puritans
believed that any peculiar
behavior or defiance
towards society, religion, or
God, was a direct result of
being “moved” by the devil.
Possible Causes For Accusing
Hallucinations from spoiled food
 Boredom
 Strict society
 Social cleansing?
 Land dispute

If children misbehaved,
defied their parents, or
acted strange, it was only
because the devil himself
inspired them to do so.
Individuals that were
accused of being witches
had two options.
Confess and ask God
for forgiveness
(even if it wasn’t true).
Or deny all accusations and
be sentenced to death.
Deaths were public events,
and forms of entertainment.
Puritans did not go to the
movies. They went to town
hangings.
The youngest child to be
accused was four years old.
Believe it or not, her name
was Dorkus.
Children weren’t the only
ones accused.
A couple of dogs were
hung because they
wouldn’t stop barking.
That is obviously a sign of
the devil.
Now for the confusing part.
If you were accused, sometimes
the town would watch you be
thrown into a lake with heavy
weights.
If you were to drown, you
were not considered a witch.
But you were dead so it
didn’t matter.
If you managed to stay
above water, that was not
considered natural.
Therefore, you would be
hung for being a witch.
Either way you were dead.
The Author
Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible
to illustrate that history repeats
itself.
During the 50’s, Senator
Joseph McCarthy was
accusing people of being
communists.
A lot of famous figures were
accused. This includes:
actors, television
executives, producers, and
other people in Hollywood.
Many people in Hollywood
are very liberal. Therefore,
they must also be
communists.
In fact, Arthur Miller was put
on trial for being a
communist.
Even President Ronald
Reagan.
He was originally an actor.
Remember?
People who were accused
had two options.
They could apologize for their
actions and confess to being a
communist
(even if it wasn’t true).
Or they could be thrown
in jail.
Sound familiar?
Just like the Salem Witch
Trials, the McCarthy era was
unfair. Mass hysteria spread,
and individuals began to
question their integrity.
Do you confess to something
you didn’t do, or do you
receive the punishment and
maintain your respect?
Unfortunately, we didn’t
learn from the McCarthy
era. Mass hysteria
continues and we still point
our fingers.
Remember 9-11?
How many innocent people
were accused for being a
terrorist just because the color
of their skin?
Remember Columbine?
How many innocent
students were accused of
bomb threats just because
of the way they dressed?
Now the story
The story is based on true
events, and court
documents. However,
some of the story has been
changed for dramatic
effect.
In the story, Abigail Williams
used to work for John
Proctor’s family. She was their
maid.
In the story, Abigail Williams is
portrayed as 18 years old and
John Proctor is portrayed as a
man in his 30’s.
Throughout the script, there
are several references that
indicate that these two had an
affair.
In real life, Abigail was 11
years old, and John Proctor
was in his 60’s.
We don’t know if these two
really participated in an
affair. What we do know is
that in the story, Abigail
Williams wants to be with
John Proctor.
We also know that John
Proctor is married with two
children.
What starts as a story of
teenage love, soon turns
into a story of revenge.
A story of accusations.
A story about saving
yourself.
Welcome to The Crucible.