Focus Activity
On your own sheet of paper,
write a definition of a “witch
hunt.” Based on yesterday’s
film and your own prior
knowledge, what is a “witch
hunt?” Can you think of any
examples in today’s society?
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
“The balance has yet to be struck
between order and freedom.”
 This is a historical play (based on real
events from 1692).
 “Crucible” means “a severe test or
trial”
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About the Author
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Arthur Miller (1915-2005) was a famous
American playwright who was born &
raised in New York
His most famous works are:
*The Crucible
*Death of a Salesman
Setting of The Crucible
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Play is based on Salem Witch Trials of
1692
19 innocent people were hanged based on
false accusations of witchcraft
4 people died in prison; one was pressed
to death
Puritans were in control of the Salem
community & they expected complete
conformity
Setting of The Crucible cont….
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Mass hysteria in Salem fueled the witch
hunts (fear of “evil”)
Greed also motivated some accusers
When and why was the play
written?
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The Crucible is largely a political
commentary
Written during the Cold War, it expresses
Arthur Miller’s view on the “witch hunts” of
Joseph McCarthy.
America was afraid of communism
(Russia) during the cold war.
There was a climate of suspicion in
America. Everyone was afraid of
communist spies in our government.
McCarthy’s Blacklist
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Senator Joseph McCarthy falsely accused
university professors, writers, government
employees, military members, and film
producers/actors of communist involvement.
Put 205 people who worked for the
government on a “Blacklist” without any
evidence.
McCarthy hearings (1952-54) were televised.
McCarthy asked “Are you now or were you
ever a Communist?”
Timing of the Play
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The Crucible was produced in 1953.
Miller was called before the Congressional
hearings on Communism in 1956 and was
found in contempt of court for his refusal
to tell the names of people he had seen at
Communist Party meetings
The play was not successful at first, but is
now Miller’s most frequently produced
play
A Timeless Tale
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Why should we try to find balance
between order and freedom?
Order = laws that help society maintain
stability
Freedom = the ability to pursue “what you
want” (being able to do what you want to
do)
Are Americans willing to give up certain
freedoms because of their own fear of
something?
The Crucible—Act 1

Prose, non-dialogue sections of the
play are called expository asides.
This is a common literary device
Miller used to give extensive
comment on the actions of the play
and to add further dimension to the
characters of the play.
Themes of The Crucible
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Authority
1.
2.
3.
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Samuel Parris
Thomas Putnam
John Hale
Hypocrisy
1. John Proctor hates it, yet he is a sinner
2. Thomas & Ann Putnam claim they are doing
God’s work finding witches, but they’re really
motivated by greed and revenge.
Guilt
1. John Proctor/Abigail
2. Girl’s involvement with Tituba
Hysteria
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How can people deal with sin and guilt
today? How to the characters of the
Crucible deal with it? Is John Proctor a
hypocrite? Why or why not?
In what ways can appearances
misrepresent reality? What are some
specific examples from the Crucible?
How does a person truly have or gain
authority? What qualities should a person
have to be in a position of authority?
Be aware of the Archaic Language
in the play
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Use of double negatives (“We’re not going
to no church meeting.”)
Lack of agreement between
subjects/verbs (“She were going to town.”
instead of “She was…”)
Use of titles like “Goodwife” and “Goody”
for women
Authority
Write one-two paragraphs explaining your
views on the issue of authority. What
constitutes true authority? What can a
person be/do to gain authority? What is
the proper use of authority? Have you
ever known someone who abused his/her
authority? (15 minutes)
Discuss this issue, responding to each of
these questions and sharing your views in
your discussion group (10 minutes).
Crucible Vocab.
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Quaking—shivering; shaking; quivering
with fear
Faction—a clique; secret group or party
Abominations—hateful or disgusting
actions
Dissembling—pretending; lying or
obscuring the truth on purpose
Gibberish—nonsense; mumbling
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Trepidation: fear; apprehension
Propriety: socially correct behavior
Deference: great respect
Inert: motionless
Conjure: use a charm to call or summon
spirits
Abyss: a bottomless pit of ruin
Licentious: immoral (usually sexually
immoral)