The CrucibleWitch Hunt, Allegory and the Domestic Tragedy

Salem Witch Trialso Where?

o When?

o Who?

o What?

o Why?

Mass Hysteria Witch Hunto The cause is often a baseless belief

that begins small but, like a hurricane, travels and becomes more devastating as it picks up speed.

o If people are aware of the phenomenon and know its features, they will be better able to overcome the main obstacle: accepting that there is may be no actual basis for their fear.

Communist Hearingso Where?

o When?

o Who?

o What?

o Why?

Why Arthur Miller wrote “The Crucible”

o Experienced Communist hysteria of the era

o Criticism of McCarthy’s personal mission

o House Un-American Activities Committee

The McCarthy Hearingso Accused: actors, writers, media, armyo Naming names for leniencyo Political repression in civil arenao Resistance to discuss social or political

issues

o Miller’s way of protesting the HUACo Compared Communist hearings to

witch hunts of Salemo Credibility/Impact of gossip, rumor,

fearo “Witch Hunt”—any activity where

people are looking for a scapegoat or they are using accusations for revenge, personal gain, or attention

“The Crucible” and Witch Hunts

The Crucibleo Salem Witch Trials of 1692

Used trial documents (Sarah Good), but fictionalized

Combined, created or changed characters

Major trial events are relatively accurateo Thinly veiled criticism of the House

Committee on Un-American Activities

Makings of a Witch Hunto WWII rise of Communist Party in the USo Cold War becomes intense after USSR

gains atomic powero Truman initiates disloyalty lawso House of Un-American Activities Committee reinvigorated

n Investigates communist activityn Hollywood Blacklist & The Hollywood Tenn McCarthy and his accusationsn Others pressured to name others as

communists

Results of both Witch Huntso Colonial Salem

20 innocent people were executed Dozens more were imprisoned One was stoned to death Families lost their land and livelihood

o 1950’s Hundreds unjustly lost their jobs 10 were jailed for 6 months to 2 years 1 was sentenced to 5 years in prison 2 were executed

Tragic Hero in Classical Literature

o Noble Stature or Ranko Potential for greatness but doomed to

failo Trapped in a situation where he cannot

wino Tragic flaw, causing his fall from

greatnesso Even though he is a fallen hero, he still

wins a moral victory, and his spirit lives on.

Domestic Tragedyo Emerges during Shakespearean

timeo Misfortunes of ordinary peopleo The “every man”o Impact of fate (personal vs.

national)o “What is an American?”o American Ideal: Everyone is valued