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Warm Up

Explore the intersection of Puritanism, Witchcraft, and McCarthyism in Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible," set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Delve into themes of jealousy, guilt, and hysteria as the characters navigate fear and manipulation during the witchcraft trials. Uncover the parallels between the historical events and the McCarthy era "witch hunts," drawing connections between the past and present societal fears and injustices.

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Warm Up

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  1. Copy these literary terms into you notes then use page 1123 to define them: Plot Rising Action Falling Action Climax Resolution Dramatic Exposition Warm Up

  2. The Crucible By Arthur Miller . . . When History and Literature Collide

  3. The Crucible is . . . Puritanism + Witchcraft + McCarthyism + Arthur Miller

  4. The Crucible • MEANS: A severe test of trial • Setting: Salem, Massachusetts ~ 1692

  5. Christian faith -1600s Puritans - predestination Split (Church of England) 1633 Emigrated - American colonies Flourished Puritanism

  6. Salem Village believed in witches Witchcraft = “compact with the devil for … powers to do evil.” Witchcraft = sin and a crime; serious accusation Witchcraft in Salem

  7. Witchcraft in Salem • Witchcraft hysteria - Salem, Massachusetts,1692. • Abigail Williams - fits of convulsion, screaming, and hallucination. • A doctor determined it was witchcraft.

  8. Witchcraft in Salem • Book detailed the symptoms of witchcraft; the girls’ fits were similar • Puritans believed the doctor’s diagnosis.

  9. The girls (Sarah Good and Sarah Osborn) blamed Tituba (the Parris’ slave) Witchcraft in Salem

  10. Eight months • 150+ people were imprisoned • 27 people had been convicted, 19 hanged, and 1 pressed to death. • The hysteria reveals belief of supernatural Witchcraft in Salem

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

  12. 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 McCarthyism

  13. Accused communists were often denied employment • Film industry: 300 + actors, writers, and directors denied work • Arthur Miller, was “blacklisted.” McCarthyism

  14. 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. McCarthyism Edward R. Murrow

  15. Arthur Miller • 1915-2005 • American Playwright and Writer • In 1953 he wrote The Crucible, which uses the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692to attack the anti-communist “witch hunts” of the 1950s.

  16. Arthur 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.

  17. Themes • Jealousy or envy • Guilt or fear of discovery • Hysteria or loss of emotional control • Lying or misrepresenting the truth • Cowardice or lack of principles • Intimidation of those who are weaker • Greed

  18. John Proctor • Protagonist • Husband to Elizabeth • Affair with Abigail • Knows that the girls are pretending

  19. Abigail Williams • Antagonist • Orphaned niece of Reverend Parris • Former mistress of John • Very powerful influence • Obsessed with John.  • Leader of the girls.

  20. Other Important Characters: • Elizabeth Proctor • Tituba • Reverend Parris • Deputy Governor Danforth • The Girls – Betty Parris, Susanna Walcott, Mercy Lewis, Mary Warren

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