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