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Copy these literary terms into you notes then use page 1123 to define them:

Plot Rising Action Falling Action ClimaxResolution Dramatic Exposition

The The CrucibleCrucible

By Arthur Miller

. . . When History and Literature Collide

The Crucible is . . .The Crucible is . . .

Puritanism+Witchcraft+McCarthyism+Arthur Miller

The CrucibleThe Crucible

MEANS: A severe test of trialSetting: Salem, Massachusetts ~ 1692

PuritanismPuritanism

Christian faith -1600sPuritans - predestinationSplit (Church of England) 1633Emigrated - American coloniesFlourished

Witchcraft in SalemWitchcraft in Salem

Salem Village believed in witches

Witchcraft = “compact with the devil for … powers to do evil.”

Witchcraft = sin and a crime; serious accusation

Witchcraft in SalemWitchcraft in Salem

Witchcraft hysteria - Salem, Massachusetts,1692.

Abigail Williams - fits of convulsion, screaming, and hallucination.

A doctor determined it was witchcraft.

Witchcraft in SalemWitchcraft in SalemBook detailed the

symptoms of witchcraft; the girls’ fits were similar

Puritans believed the doctor’s diagnosis.

Witchcraft in SalemWitchcraft in Salem

The girls (Sarah Good and Sarah Osborn) blamed Tituba (the Parris’ slave)

Witchcraft in SalemWitchcraft in Salem

Eight months150+ people were

imprisoned27 people had been

convicted, 19 hanged, and 1 pressed to death.

The hysteria reveals belief of supernatural

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TbSQeNh0mE

McCarthyismMcCarthyism

Period of intense suspicion in the United States – 1950s

Senator Joseph McCarthy, claimed that communists had infiltrated the Department of State.

A special House Committee on Un-American Activities was formed

“Witch hunts” often based on inconclusive, questionable evidence

McCarthyismMcCarthyism

Accused communists were often denied employment

Film industry: 300 + actors, writers, and directors denied work

Arthur Miller, was “blacklisted.”

McCarthyismMcCarthyism

McCarthy’s influence ended - 1954

CBS newsman, Edward R. Murrow, report revealed McCarthy as dishonest

The public aware of how McCarthy made false accusations of communism.

Edward R. Murrow

Arthur MillerArthur Miller1915-2005American Playwright and

WriterIn 1953 he wrote The

Crucible, which uses the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692 to attack the anti-communist “witch hunts” of the 1950s.

Arthur MillerArthur Miller Witch craft trials in Puritan New England paralleled the

climate of McCarthyism

After the publication of the The Crucible, Miller was investigated for being a communist

Found guilty of contempt of court. Later overturned.

ThemesThemes

Jealousy or envyGuilt or fear of

discoveryHysteria or loss of

emotional controlLying or

misrepresenting the truth

Cowardice or lack of principles

Intimidation of those who are weaker

Greed

John ProctorJohn ProctorProtagonist

Husband to Elizabeth

Affair with AbigailKnows that the

girls are pretending

Abigail WilliamsAbigail Williams

Antagonist

Orphaned niece of Reverend Parris

Former mistress of John

Very powerful influence

Obsessed with John. Leader of the girls.

Other Important Characters: Other Important Characters:

Elizabeth Proctor Tituba Reverend Parris Deputy Governor

DanforthThe Girls – Betty

Parris, Susanna Walcott, Mercy Lewis, Mary Warren