Focus ActivityFocus Activity

On your own sheet of paper, On your own sheet of paper, write a definition of a “witch write a definition of a “witch hunt.” Based on yesterday’s hunt.” Based on yesterday’s film and film and your own prior your own prior knowledgeknowledge, what is a “witch , what is a “witch hunt?” Can you think of any hunt?” Can you think of any examples in today’s society?examples in today’s society?

The Crucible by Arthur MillerThe Crucible by Arthur Miller

““The balance has yet to be The balance has yet to be struck between order and struck between order and freedom.”freedom.”

This is a historical play (based on This is a historical play (based on real events from 1692).real events from 1692).

““Crucible” means “a severe test Crucible” means “a severe test or trial”or trial”

About the AuthorAbout the Author

Arthur Miller (1915-2005) was a Arthur Miller (1915-2005) was a famous American playwright who famous American playwright who was born & raised in New Yorkwas born & raised in New York

His most famous works are: His most famous works are:

*The Crucible *The Crucible

**Death of a SalesmanDeath of a Salesman

Setting of Setting of The CrucibleThe Crucible

Play is based on Salem Witch Trials of Play is based on Salem Witch Trials of 16921692

19 innocent people were hanged 19 innocent people were hanged based on false accusations of based on false accusations of witchcraftwitchcraft

4 people died in prison; one was 4 people died in prison; one was pressed to deathpressed to death

Puritans were in control of the Salem Puritans were in control of the Salem community & they expected complete community & they expected complete conformityconformity

Setting of Setting of The CrucibleThe Crucible cont…. cont…. Mass hysteria in Salem fueled the Mass hysteria in Salem fueled the

witch hunts (fear of “evil”)witch hunts (fear of “evil”) Greed also motivated some accusersGreed also motivated some accusers

When and why was the play When and why was the play written?written?

The CrucibleThe Crucible is largely a political is largely a political commentarycommentary

Written during the Cold War, it Written during the Cold War, it expresses Arthur Miller’s view on the expresses Arthur Miller’s view on the “witch hunts” of Joseph McCarthy.“witch hunts” of Joseph McCarthy.

America was afraid of communism America was afraid of communism (Russia) during the cold war.(Russia) during the cold war.

There was a climate of suspicion in There was a climate of suspicion in America. Everyone was afraid of America. Everyone was afraid of communist spies in our government.communist spies in our government.

McCarthy’s BlacklistMcCarthy’s Blacklist Senator Joseph McCarthy falsely accused Senator Joseph McCarthy falsely accused

university professors, writers, government university professors, writers, government employees, military members, and film employees, military members, and film producers/actors of communist producers/actors of communist involvement.involvement.

Put 205 people who worked for the Put 205 people who worked for the government on a “Blacklist” without any government on a “Blacklist” without any evidence.evidence.

McCarthy hearings (1952-54) were McCarthy hearings (1952-54) were televised.televised.

McCarthy asked “Are you now or were you McCarthy asked “Are you now or were you ever a Communist?”ever a Communist?”

Timing of the PlayTiming of the Play

The CrucibleThe Crucible was produced in 1953. was produced in 1953. Miller was called before the Miller was called before the

Congressional hearings on Congressional hearings on Communism in 1956 and was found Communism in 1956 and was found in contempt of court for his refusal to in contempt of court for his refusal to tell the names of people he had seen tell the names of people he had seen at Communist Party meetingsat Communist Party meetings

The play was not successful at first, The play was not successful at first, but is now Miller’s most frequently but is now Miller’s most frequently produced playproduced play

A Timeless TaleA Timeless Tale

Why should we try to find balance Why should we try to find balance between between orderorder and and freedomfreedom??

Order = laws that help society Order = laws that help society maintain stabilitymaintain stability

Freedom = the ability to pursue Freedom = the ability to pursue “what you want” (being able to do “what you want” (being able to do what you want to do)what you want to do)

Are Americans willing to give up Are Americans willing to give up certain freedoms because of their certain freedoms because of their own fear of something?own fear of something?

The CrucibleThe Crucible—Act 1—Act 1

Prose, non-dialogue sections of Prose, non-dialogue sections of the play are called the play are called expository expository asidesasides. This is a common literary . This is a common literary device Miller used to give device Miller used to give extensive comment on the extensive comment on the actions of the play and to add actions of the play and to add further dimension to the further dimension to the characters of the play.characters of the play.

Themes of Themes of The CrucibleThe Crucible AuthorityAuthority

1.1. Samuel ParrisSamuel Parris2.2. Thomas PutnamThomas Putnam3.3. John HaleJohn Hale

HypocrisyHypocrisy1. John Proctor hates it, yet he is a sinner1. John Proctor hates it, yet he is a sinner2. Thomas & Ann Putnam claim they are 2. Thomas & Ann Putnam claim they are doing God’s work finding witches, but they’re doing God’s work finding witches, but they’re really motivated by greed and revenge.really motivated by greed and revenge.

GuiltGuilt1. John Proctor/Abigail1. John Proctor/Abigail2. Girl’s involvement with Tituba2. Girl’s involvement with Tituba

HysteriaHysteria

How can people deal with sin and How can people deal with sin and guilt guilt todaytoday? How to the characters of ? How to the characters of the the CrucibleCrucible deal with it? Is John deal with it? Is John Proctor a hypocrite? Why or why not?Proctor a hypocrite? Why or why not?

In what ways can appearances In what ways can appearances misrepresent reality? What are some misrepresent reality? What are some specific examples from the specific examples from the CrucibleCrucible??

How does a person truly have or gain How does a person truly have or gain authority? What qualities should a authority? What qualities should a person have to be in a position of person have to be in a position of authority?authority?

Be aware of the Archaic Language Be aware of the Archaic Language in the playin the play

Use of double negatives (“We’re not Use of double negatives (“We’re not going to no church meeting.”)going to no church meeting.”)

Lack of agreement between Lack of agreement between subjects/verbs (“She subjects/verbs (“She werewere going to going to town.” instead of “She town.” instead of “She waswas…”)…”)

Use of titles like “Goodwife” and Use of titles like “Goodwife” and “Goody” for women“Goody” for women

AuthorityAuthorityWrite one-two paragraphs explaining Write one-two paragraphs explaining

your views on the issue of authority. your views on the issue of authority. What constitutes true authority? What What constitutes true authority? What can a person be/do to gain authority? can a person be/do to gain authority? What is the proper use of authority? What is the proper use of authority? Have you ever known someone who Have you ever known someone who abused his/her authority? (15 minutes)abused his/her authority? (15 minutes)

Discuss this issue, responding to each of Discuss this issue, responding to each of these questions and sharing your views these questions and sharing your views in your discussion group (10 minutes).in your discussion group (10 minutes).

Crucible Vocab.Crucible Vocab.

Quaking—shivering; shaking; quivering Quaking—shivering; shaking; quivering with fearwith fear

Faction—a clique; secret group or Faction—a clique; secret group or partyparty

Abominations—hateful or disgusting Abominations—hateful or disgusting actionsactions

Dissembling—pretending; lying or Dissembling—pretending; lying or obscuring the truth on purposeobscuring the truth on purpose

Gibberish—nonsense; mumblingGibberish—nonsense; mumbling

Trepidation: fear; apprehensionTrepidation: fear; apprehension Propriety: socially correct behaviorPropriety: socially correct behavior Deference: great respectDeference: great respect Inert: motionlessInert: motionless Conjure: use a charm to call or Conjure: use a charm to call or

summon spiritssummon spirits Abyss: a bottomless pit of ruinAbyss: a bottomless pit of ruin Licentious: immoral (usually sexually Licentious: immoral (usually sexually

immoral)immoral)