CRUCIBLE

A GREAT OR SEVERE TEST

THE CRUCIBLE : 1692 CAUSES FOR THE CLIMATE OF FEAR:

PURITANS ANXIOUS ABOUT RELIGION

LAND PROBLEMSSMALLPOX EPIDEMICINDIAN RAIDSSPLIT OF SALEM INTO 2 VILLAGES

ALLEGORY

STORY THAT OPERATES ON 2 LEVELS OF MEANING

PERSON AND OBJECTS REPRESENT MEANINGS OUTSIDE THE STORY

Literal level and symbolic levelSALEM WITCH TRIALS =ALLEGORY

FOR THE MCCARTHY ERA.

MCCARTHY ERA: 1950s

FEAR OF COMMUNISM AND RUSSIAPRESIDENT TRUMAN ISSUED EDICTHOUSE UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES

COMMITTEE LED BY SENATOR JOSEPH MCCARTHY

SUSPECTED COMMUNISTS BLACK-LISTED, FIRED, AND ISOLATED

Arthur Miller

Called before the House un-American Activities Committee

Refused to identify others involved in Communism: Charged with contempt of court

Passport rejected but the charge was later overturned

Married Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe

THEME

MORAL CHOICES PEOPLE MUST MAKE UNDER IRRATIONAL COMMUNITY PRESSURES