“The Crucible” by Arthur Miller

1. “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller Introduction and Overview

2. Introduction • Arthur Miller’s play “The Crucible” opened on Broadway in New York in 1953 and was an immediate box office success. • The play is based on actual events that took place in Salem, Massachusetts during the witchcraft trials in the spring of 1692. • By late August, 19 people (and 2 dogs) had been convicted and hanged for witchcraft.

3. Introduction cont. • “The Crucible” was written during the early years of the Cold War when anti-Communism was at its height in the U.S. • Several Hollywood and New York actors, writers, and directors were investigated and blacklisted by special congressional committees led by Senator Joseph McCarthy. • Today, the term “McCarthyism” refers to

4. Introduction cont. • this period of anti-Communist fervor which resulted in the condemnation of many individuals in the entertainment business. • At the time of its opening, the play was perceived as a direct attack on McCarthyism. • There were many Communists in America at this time and some of McCarthy’s victims may have been less innocent than those accused of witchcraft in 1692.

5. Introduction cont. • Arthur Miller has written other successful plays and is probably best known for “Death of a Salesman” which won the Pulitzer prize in 1949. • He also wrote the screen play for the 1996 movie version of “The Crucible”.

6. Overview • Plot: early in the year 1692, in the village of Salem, Massachusetts, a group of young girls fell ill experiencing hallucinations and seizures. • The extremely religious Puritan elders in the village attributed the illness to witchcraft and consorting with devils. • Within a few weeks, dozens of people were in jail on charges of witchcraft.

7. Overview cont. • Note – the Massachusetts government and judicial system were heavily influenced by religion at this time. Witchcraft, which is usually viewed as a concern of the church, was prosecuted as a civil crime. • Themes of the play: • Moral laws and state laws are one, therefore; the status of an individual’s soul is a matter for public concern

8. Overview-Themes cont. • There is no deviation from social norms; an individual who doesn’t conform presents a threat to the public good. • Hysteria can tear a community apart • Logic is ignored • Individuals can act on grudges or gain power temporarily while hysteria rules • Hysteria thrives only when people benefit from it

9. Overview-Themes cont. • Reputation: • A person’s reputation is extremely important in a society where public and private moralities are the same • Various characters in the play base their actions on preserving or protecting their reputations contributing to the conflict in the story • Motifs (recurring devices that help develop themes) • Empowerment of women and children in society through accusation of others

10. Overview-Motifs cont. • Accusations, confessions and legal proceedings during the witch trials are central to the story. The witch trial system can only survive through personal accusations. • Symbolism • The entire play can be interpreted as symbolic of the paranoia surrounding Communism in the late 40s and early 50s. • Just as the alleged witches were required to name or accuse fellow devil worshippers, so were alleged Communists required to name suspected Communists.

11. Overview-Symbolism cont. • Miller has been accused of oversimplifying the situation with anti-Communism since there were real Communists in America at this time. • It could be argued that Miller’s concern was not whether the accused were innocent or guilty, but rather that the courts were unwilling to believe that the accused were innocent until proven guilty.