The CrucibleBy Arthur MillerBACKGROUND NOTES

The play is set in 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts

The play deals with the Salem Witch Trials

The main characters are Puritans

The Crucible

WHO WERE THE PURITANS?

English Protestants who wanted to “purify” the Church of England

Came to America in 1630 and established the Massachusetts Bay Colony

WHO WERE THE PURITANS?

They imagined themselves as re-enacting the story of Exodus leaving oppression for a new land

They believed they were chosen by God to establish a new, pure Christian commonwealth

WHO WERE THE PURITANS?

Convinced that most of humanity would be damned due to Adam & Eve’s fall

Not sure who were the “elect” and who were destined to be damned

PURITAN BELIEFS

Believed in PREDESTINATION (determined by God before birth) and that the choice of the “elect” was arbitrary

If “elected”, one could do no wrong, but if an “elect” did sin, he could still be saved because once elected, he would be saved forever

PURITAN BELIEFS, CONT.

Bible was the literal word of GodEducation very important because

they must be able to read, interpret and debate theology

All other ways of life were wrong

PURITAN BELIEFS CONT.

Just as God could “elect” those to be saved, the Devil could select people to be bewitched

Devil was a real and active enemy of mankind, not just an abstract figure

PURITAN BELIEFS CONT.

Witches could definitely exist in society

Felt the Devil was determined to destroy the New World because they were so righteous

Naturally the Devil would need helpers – witches

PURITAN BELIEFS CONT.

Vast forests gave the Devil plenty of places to hide

Believed the “savage” Indians could also be agents of the Devil

PURITAN BELIEFS CONT.

Accepted and promoted the concept of THEOCRACY – that the church should control the government – seemingly in conflict with our belief that our forefathers wanted true separation of church and state

PURITAN BELIEFS CONT.

Believed the following were cardinal sins:

*Adultery*Dancing*Playing games*Dressing “prettily”

(Women were forbidden to do so.)

PURITAN BELIEFS CONT.

As you listen to this song, find and highlight lyrics that echo Puritan ideas and mindset.

Write on a post-it note what Puritan idea is being expressed

Place the post-it note by the lyric to which it relates

Discuss with a partner your findings and explain your choices

“Build Your Kingdom Here”

Those accused of consorting with the Devil had committed a crime against the government and the punishment was hanging.

The afflicted were those “possessed” & “tormented”. They accused or “cried out” the names of those supposedly possessing them, the accused.

THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS

Both men and women were accused

In Salem, 19 people hanged along with 2 dogs, while 1 man was pressed to death

THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS

THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS

http://www.hampton.lib.nh.us/hampton/biog/pooroldgoodycole.htm

Similar trials took place in other places

The witch trials lasted less than a year (1692)

THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS

Experts are unsure what caused the girls’ “fits”. Some believe the cause was adolescent hysteria while some believe it was ergot (a type of fungus) poisoning.

After the trials, the jurors and magistrates apologized, restitution was made to the victims’ families, and a Day of Fasting and Remembrance was instituted.

THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS

Refers to the use of careless, often false, accusations and methods of investigating that violate civil liberties

Originates from Senator Joseph McCarthy’s hunt for “pinkos, radicals and Communists” in the 1950’s

McCarthyism

Sen. McCarthy accused the Democratic administration of supporting Communists during a time when America was in a struggle with the Soviet Union and growing Communism.

McCarthyism

Playing on Americans’ great fear of Communism, McCarthy summoned hundreds of Americans to testify & threatened to brand them as Communists if they didn’t.

Mass hysteria grew and the “witch hunts” began.

McCarthyism

Several Hollywood writers, actors, and other famous people were questioned; many were “blacklisted” and 10 were sent to prison for refusing to answer questions.

McCarthyism

The Committee questioned Arthur Miller in 1956, who admitted to attending Communist meetings 10 years earlier to learn about it.

Miller refused to answer questions about other people who attended those meetings, and he was held in contempt of court and had his passport withdrawn and was fined.

McCarthyism

He appealed and 2 years later won his case.

McCarthy was eventually condemned by the Senate for misconduct and abuse of power.

McCarthyism

Similarities Between the McCarthy Hearings and The

Crucible

Anyone opposing McCarthy was suspected of communism and often brought before the Senate committee

Anyone opposed to the Salem judges was suspected of trying to undermine the court & was “probably a witch”

Similarities Between the McCarthy Hearings and The

Crucible

Panic among Puritans led to “witch-hunts” for the Devil’s agents

Panic in the 1950s led to “witch hunt” for Communists

Similarities Between the McCarthy Hearings and The

Crucible

Puritans feared the Devil & his agents in the 1600’s

(Miller’s intentional use of these similarities makes this story an

allegory.)

Americans in the ’50’s feared Communism