The CrucibleThe Crucible

Arthur MillerArthur Miller

Arthur Miller: A LifeArthur Miller: A Life

Born on October 17, 1915Born on October 17, 1915 Attended the University of Michigan from Attended the University of Michigan from

1934-19381934-1938 Graduated with a degree in journalismGraduated with a degree in journalism Wrote and produced five plays during Wrote and produced five plays during

college careercollege career Married three times (once to Marilyn Married three times (once to Marilyn

Monroe – second wife)Monroe – second wife) Two daughters, one sonTwo daughters, one son

Arthur Miller & Marilyn Arthur Miller & Marilyn MonroeMonroe

1956-1961 1956-1961

Miller and HUACMiller and HUAC

Investigated for possible associations Investigated for possible associations with the Communist party from 1953 to with the Communist party from 1953 to 19551955

In 1956, he was called to testify before In 1956, he was called to testify before the House Committee on Un-American the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC)Activities (HUAC)

Only attended meetings looking to Only attended meetings looking to advocate social justice and equalityadvocate social justice and equality

Miller and HUAC (cont.)Miller and HUAC (cont.)

When brought before the committee, When brought before the committee, he refused to name any other he refused to name any other attendeesattendees

Found guilty of contemptFound guilty of contempt

Later releasedLater released

The Red ScareThe Red Scare

A time of paranoia and hysteria over A time of paranoia and hysteria over communismcommunism

Many government officials were Many government officials were involved or accusedinvolved or accused

Many writers, actors, and directors Many writers, actors, and directors lost their jobs lost their jobs

Many named names to save their Many named names to save their own careersown careers

Salem, 1692Salem, 1692

The Salem Witch TrialsThe Salem Witch Trials

In 1692, twenty were executed; 150 In 1692, twenty were executed; 150 were jailed.were jailed.

The Puritan culture attributed its The Puritan culture attributed its hardships to the Devil.hardships to the Devil.

Several girls in the town began to Several girls in the town began to have seizures and lapses of have seizures and lapses of unconsciousness after seeking Tituba, unconsciousness after seeking Tituba, a slave from Barbados, for a slave from Barbados, for fortunetelling.fortunetelling.

The Salem Witch Trials The Salem Witch Trials (cont.)(cont.)

Tituba and two elderly women were Tituba and two elderly women were accused at first; by the end, many of accused at first; by the end, many of the community’s most prominent the community’s most prominent citizens were accused.citizens were accused.

Overall nineteen were hanged, four Overall nineteen were hanged, four accused died in prison, and one was accused died in prison, and one was pressed to death with stonespressed to death with stones

Salem Witch Trials (cont.)Salem Witch Trials (cont.)

In 1706, Ann Putnam signed a letter In 1706, Ann Putnam signed a letter of apology.of apology.

Samuel Sewell was the only judge to Samuel Sewell was the only judge to apologize for actions.apologize for actions.

Possible Causes Possible Causes

Hallucinations from spoiled foodHallucinations from spoiled food BoredomBoredom Strict societyStrict society Social cleansingSocial cleansing Land disputeLand dispute

ConnectionsConnections

Miller wrote Miller wrote The CrucibleThe Crucible as a as a metaphor for the Red Scare in the metaphor for the Red Scare in the 1950s.1950s.

He felt there was a “witch hunt” within He felt there was a “witch hunt” within the government and beyondthe government and beyond

Like the witch trials, it was easier to Like the witch trials, it was easier to admit guilt than maintain innocence.admit guilt than maintain innocence.

The play is widely performed when The play is widely performed when social unrest is present in a culture. social unrest is present in a culture.

Other Works by Arthur MillerOther Works by Arthur Miller

All My Sons All My Sons (1947) (1947) Death of a Salesman Death of a Salesman (1949) (1949) A View from the Bridge A View from the Bridge (1955) (1955) After the Fall After the Fall (1964) (1964) Broken Glass Broken Glass (1994) (1994) Resurrection Blues Resurrection Blues (2002) (2002) Finishing the Picture Finishing the Picture (2004) (2004)

Defending Your PositionDefending Your Position

How many times have you defended How many times have you defended yourself against your parents, yourself against your parents, friends, teachers, etc…?friends, teachers, etc…?

Today you will be given a position on Today you will be given a position on a topic you must defend and from a topic you must defend and from your assigned positionyour assigned position

The class will be split in two sides-the The class will be split in two sides-the opposing side and the defending sideopposing side and the defending side

Debate RulesDebate Rules Each side will be given approximately 5 minutes to Each side will be given approximately 5 minutes to

review and discuss their strong points of each topicreview and discuss their strong points of each topic The countdown timer will be started with 10 minutes The countdown timer will be started with 10 minutes

and the debate will last only 10 minutesand the debate will last only 10 minutes There will only be one speaker at a time and that is There will only be one speaker at a time and that is

the person with the teddy bearthe person with the teddy bear Each side must take turns presenting an argumentEach side must take turns presenting an argument Miss Webb is the judge and will have authority over Miss Webb is the judge and will have authority over

the debate and will be assisted by Mrs. Huffer and the debate and will be assisted by Mrs. Huffer and Miss MadewellMiss Madewell

Example TopicExample Topic

Chocolate vs VanillaChocolate vs Vanilla

Topic #1Topic #1

Reality TV vs Reality TV vs Scripted/SitcomsScripted/Sitcoms

Black: Reality TVBlack: Reality TV

Red: Scripted/SitcomsRed: Scripted/Sitcoms

Topic #2Topic #2

Having Off Campus Having Off Campus Lunch OptionLunch Option

Black: ForBlack: For

Red: AgainstRed: Against

Topic #3Topic #3

Students’ Rules Apply Students’ Rules Apply to Teachersto Teachers

Black: ForBlack: For

Red: AgainstRed: Against

10 Minute Timer10 Minute Timer

http://www.online-stopwatch.com/