The 1950sThe 1950s

The Red Scare/ the Cold WarThe Red Scare/ the Cold War

Joseph McCarthyJoseph McCarthy 1950—claims of many communist 1950—claims of many communist

sympathizers in US government and elsewheresympathizers in US government and elsewhereArmy–McCarthy hearings of 1954 made his of 1954 made his

popularity wanepopularity wane Alcoholic—died of hepatitisAlcoholic—died of hepatitis

HUAC (1945-1975)HUAC (1945-1975) House on Un-American Activities CommitteeHouse on Un-American Activities Committee McCarthy had no involvement in this McCarthy had no involvement in this

committeecommittee Hollywood BlacklistHollywood Blacklist

Salem Witch Trials 1692Salem Witch Trials 1692

The CrucibleThe Crucible

You know about McCarthy and the HUACYou know about McCarthy and the HUAC Miller (and other Americans) faced a threat to Miller (and other Americans) faced a threat to

democracy, living in fear, accusing each other, democracy, living in fear, accusing each other, giving up their rightsgiving up their rights

You know about Salem and the conditions You know about Salem and the conditions that led to the hysteriathat led to the hysteria Social and political unrestSocial and political unrest ConfessionsConfessions TestimonialsTestimonials

Do you see any parallels between the two Do you see any parallels between the two periods in history and today’s political and periods in history and today’s political and social climate?social climate?

Miller is a PlaywrightMiller is a Playwright

Therefore Therefore He makes significant changes to the He makes significant changes to the

history in order to better serve his arthistory in order to better serve his artHe reduces charactersHe reduces charactersCreates multi-dimensional characters Creates multi-dimensional characters

with motivationwith motivationAdds personal struggles, sex, and Adds personal struggles, sex, and

tragedytragedy

As You ReadAs You Read

Pay attention to the play as both a Pay attention to the play as both a literary work with characters, plot, literary work with characters, plot, style, etc.style, etc.

But also think of The Crucible as a But also think of The Crucible as a historical document, an allegory historical document, an allegory intended to open the eyes of his intended to open the eyes of his contemporaries.contemporaries.

Do you think The Crucible has Do you think The Crucible has relevance today? Why or Why not?relevance today? Why or Why not?