Arthur Miller and The Crucible

Arthur Miller

Influential American playwright, known for plays like The Crucible

The Crucible

Play written by Arthur Miller, inspired by his own experience with the House of Un-American Activities Committee

Tragedy

Story that explores the downfall of a tragic hero, usually of noble birth or high status, often ends in death; result of a flaw and a choice

Tragic hero

Character, usually of noble birth or high status, whose downfall is caused by a tragic flaw

Hamartia

Tragic flaw, a character weakness that leads to the downfall of a tragic hero

common theme of miller

tragedy in lives of ordinary people and juxtaposition of morality and desperation

John Proctor

Tragic hero in The Crucible

Pride

Tragic flaw of John Proctor, related to his name and reputation

Allegory

Story that represents another story, often used to analyze The Crucible

Allegory in The Crucible

Red Scare/ McCarthyism being compared to the Salem witch trials

McCarthy era

Period of postwar fear of Communists in the 1950s, reflected in The Crucible

the Crucible is a cautionary tale about

mass hysteria, group thinking, and mob psychology

examples of the crucible as an allegory

-proctor's courage in standing up for truth against mob psychology reflects those who did the same in the McCarthy era
-frenzy about witch craft reflects frenzy about communism
-those accused had no way to prove their innocence
-society is broken down by the destruction of shared trust

miller's overall attitude towards Puritans

-critical of puritan rigid mindset
-thinks they were hypocritical and self-interested
-sarcastic tone

literature=

a lie that tells the truth

Ideas that people are a product of their economy and society

-puritans were trapped with themselves which leads to pre-occupation
-unity and community require separation
-individual vs. society is beginning to develop

appearance vs. reality (dramatic irony)

things are not always as they seem

reasons for witchcraft accusations

-repressed desires
-landlust
-hating neighbors/envy
-getting revenge