THE CRUCIBLEby

Arthur Miller

Background Information

Who is Arthur Miller? Born in New York City in 1915 Graduated from the U. of Michigan in

1938 Returned to New York and began writing

radio scripts Was exempt from WWII because of a

football injury Toured army camps to gather

background material for a screenplay – The Story of GI Joe

Arthur Miller continued First novel was about anti-Semitism Plays often depict how families are

destroyed by false values His play Death of a Salesman brought

him international fame Denied a passport to Brussels to attend

the premiere of his play The Crucible Called to testify before the House

Committee on un-American Activities in 1956

More about Arthur Miller

Married actress Marilyn Monroe in 1956;

They divorced in 1961 Miller returned to the theater in

1964 with the play After the Fall, a strongly autobiographical work

What is McCarthyism? Sen. Joe McCarthy was not very well-

known until he made a speech in Wheeling, Virginia, in 1950 claiming that the Department of State was full of Communists.

Remember, by this time China had fallen to the Communists and Communism was spreading to the West. Many people feared the fall of the United States into Communist hands.

McCarthyism continued This period in history was also known as the

“Red Scare” because of the association between the color red and communism.

Many people in Hollywood were called to testify before the House Committee on un-American activities. A number of these people were “blacklisted”.

Miller admitted in his testimony that he had consulted with some known Communists as he gathered material for some of his work, but he denied belonging to the Communist party.

McCarthyism continued

Miller refused to testify about any of his friends or associates and their political beliefs. For this reason, he was found to be in contempt.

What is a Witch Hunt? On a literal level, it is

hunting for those creatures who are in league with the devil. They can fly through the air or assume the shape of other creatures.

On another level, it is looking for someone to blame when something goes wrong.

What are some modern-day witch hunts?

The McCarthy hearings

The extermination of Jews in WWII

Blaming all Muslims because of 9/11

Others?

What is a “crucible”? On a literal level, it is a container

which is used to melt metals.

On another level, it is a severe test or trial of character.

Why would Miller title this play The Crucible?