Transcript The Crucible

The Crucible
The Salem Witch Trials,
McCarthyism and Arthur Miller
Who Really Moves the Ouija
Board?
• The devil
gives people
powers
• The devil
grants
loyalty if
those with
the “powers”
harm others
Historical Context
• A "witchcraft
craze" rippled
through Europe
from the 1300s
to the end of the
1600s.
• Tens of
thousands of
supposed
witches—mostly
women—were
executed.
• The Salem
incident began
after the
European craze
died down
Circumstances Surrounding the
Accusations
• Many people moved to Essex county
because of conflict w/ English rulers
William and Mary
• Put a strain on resources in the
county.
• Created factions- those who had lived
in the county for some time, and
refuges from Canada and neighboring
states
Salem in the 1700’s
A Salem “witch house”
Those Involved
• In 1692 Reverend Parris'
daughter Elizabeth, age 9, and
niece Abigail Williams, age 11,
started having "fits."
– a local doctor blamed the
supernatural
• Reverend Samuel Parris
– Salem Village's first ordained
minister in 1689
– disliked because of his rigid ways
and greedy nature
And More Become Involved
• Ann Putnam, age 11, experienced
similar episodes
• Magistrates Jonathan Corwin and John
Hawthorne became involved
• the girls blamed three women for
afflicting them
– Tituba, the Parris' Caribbean slave
– Sarah Good, a homeless beggar
– Sarah Osborne, an elderly impoverished
woman
The Hangings
• Bridget Bishop was
the first woman
hanged….despite
her demand of
innocence.
The Hysteria Continues
• Miller claims that more and more people
stood up against those accusing, but the
opposite is true
• more and more people were giving false
confessions and four women actually pled
guilty to the charges.
• some claim this was because it became
apparent that confession would save one
from the noose
• there is evidence that the Court was planning
to execute the confessors as well
The Outcome
• 19 were hanged on Gallows Hill
• a 71-year-old man was pressed to
death with heavy stones
• several people died in jail
• nearly 200 people, overall, had been
accused of practicing "the Devil's
magic.
Truth?
• Published in Science in 1976 by psychologist
Linda Caporael
– blamed the abnormal habits of the accused on
the fungus ergot, which can be found in rye,
wheat and other cereal grasses.
– toxicologists say that eating ergot-contaminated
foods can lead to muscle spasms, vomiting,
delusions and hallucinations
– the fungus thrives in warm and damp climates—
not too unlike the swampy meadows in Salem
Village, where rye was the staple grain during
the spring and summer months
Passing of a Fad
• intervention of Governor William Phips
led to the innocent being released
(after paying a jail fee)
• craze died down soon after
Historical Inaccuracies
• Events in the
play and
movie are
LOOSLY
based on the
Salem Witch
Trials
Why Did Arthur Miller Write The
Crucible?
• McCarthyism
• - 1940's and 1950's growing concern
for communism.
• -Senator McCarthy begin a modern day
witch hunt accusing more than 200
public figures of being card-carrying
communists.
• -Most were writers, actors and
entertainers. Many had their passports
taken away and lost work.
• -Created strong political tension.
• -Charlie Chapman, Arthur Miller among
others
Those Who Spoke Out Against
Senator McCarthy
• -comedian Mort Sahl, and journalist
Edward R. Murrow
• strong criticisms of McCarthy are often
cited as playing an important role in
his eventual removal from power.
• Modern day witch hunt ends in 1954
Questions to Ponder
constitutes true authority? Is it learning, holding high office in the state, the
dictates of religious law as interpreted by officials of the established religion, the
moral values and conscience of the individual, something else? Explain.
1.
What
2.
How does pride lead the people of Salem in their actions and decision making, or
hold them back from following morals and/or logic?
3.
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is often viewed more as a tragedy of humanity and
the individual within it rather than a true political allegory of McCarthyism and the
Red Scare. In addition, Miller’s concern may be something far greater than “Did
witches really exist in Salem?” It may be pointing out the true condition of humanity.
What do you think?
4.
Finally, focus particularly on the character of John Proctor. Does he ultimately make
the right decision? Is it permissible to lie in order to save your life? Isn’t a survivor
also a hero? Doesn’t Proctor have a duty to his wife and kids?
5.
Can you think of any modern day witch hunts? Explain and compare to the events in
6.
A crucible is a place or occasion of a true test or trial. Provide examples from the
movie of events that support the concepts behind the title.
The Crucible.