THE CRUCIBLE

An Introduction

Clip # 1

1. What evidence is presented to “prove” that the woman is a witch?

2. Would this evidence hold up in a court today?

3. What is the purpose of this clip? 4. What does the clip prove about

“witch hunts”?

Witch HuntColloquial term for finding a

Scapegoat: (One who is the object of irrational hostility)

Today we are learning about literal and metaphoric witch hunts

20TH CENTURY DRAMA Entertainment vs. Intellectualism

Modern DramatistsLorraine HansberryArthur Miller

3 Elements of modern dramaRealistic charactersRealistic dialogueControversial issues

ARTHUR MILLER

Author of… Inspired by…

MCCARTHY ERA McCarthy Hearings The Threat of Communism “Red Scare”

AFTER WWII Cold War Develops b/t

Soviet Union and United States Stand offNuclear threats

Italy had a fast growing communist party

1949Mao Zedong Overthrew US-Supported

government in China

MCCARTHY—WISCONSIN SENATOR (1946-1957) 1950

McCarthy claims Communists had infiltrated department of state

Paranoia spreadsAmerican dream is threatenedMcCarthy claims Hollywood is influence by communism and is spreading propaganda

McCarthy’s “Witch Hunt” begins

WITCH HUNT Begin as early as 1480 in Europe as the

reformation begins in Europe MP clip Involves moral panic, mass hysteria,

lack of reason, and lynching Modern witch hunts are more

FIGURATIVE…Metaphor for political persecution

MCCARTHY’S WITCH HUNT Political persecution of anyone

associated with Communism—in actuality or imagined

Film industry workers—subpoenaed to reveal names of the subversive people

Government officials chargedSecretary of the Navy accused of harboring

Communist spies Anyone names suspect was blacklisted

Can’t find work—fate worse than death?

MILLER’S INSPIRATION All of this inspired Arthur Miller in his

writingDeath of a Salesman:

Receives a Pulitzer in 1949 Movie version produced 1950-1951 American Legion protests Miller asked to sign anti-communist declaration;

refuses Columbia produces a short version, changing the

messageThe Crucible

Produced in 1953 Miller becomes the subject of FBI investiations

THE CRUCIBLE Set during the time of the Salem Witch

Trials Meant to send a message to the world

about the Communist Witch Hunts Based on historical fact Changed to fit the purpose of the play

Given what you know about the Salem Witch trials and the McCarthy Era…

What happens when the American dream/cultural lifestyle is threatened?

Cast ACT 1 Reverend Samuel Parris/ Stage Directions Betty Parris/ Stage Directions Abigail Williams/ Stage Directions Susanna Walcott/ Stage Directions Tituba/ Stage Directions Thomas Putnam/ Stage Directions Mrs. Ann Putnam/ Stage Directions Mercy Lewis/ Stage Directions Mary Warren/ Stage Directions John Proctor/ Stage Directions John Hale/ Stage Directions Giles Corey/ Stage Directions Rebecca Nurse/ Stage Directions Narrator 1 Narrator 2 Narrator 3 Narrator 4 Narrator 5