intro to the crucible and arthur miller background information
TRANSCRIPT
About the Author. . .Arthur Miller (1915-2005)
An American playwright and essayist
An alumni of the University of Michigan (Go Blue!)
Received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Was married to Marilyn Monroe (they ended up divorcing)
Miller’s WorkSome of his famous works include:
Death of a Salesman
The Crucible
The Misfits
View from the Bridge
Common characteristics:Liked to examine human nature a lot in his work
Concentrates a lot on how society and family affect an individual
Considered by many as one of the greatest dramatists of the 20th century
A few years after his death in 2007, the University of Michigan opened the Arthur Miller Theatre. As per his express wish, it is the only theatre in the world that bears Miller’s name
The Crucible
Written in 1953
It is a dramatization of the Salem Witch Trials (same era as The Minister’s Black Veil)
It is based on true events; therefore, a lot of the characters in the play were in fact real people
The play won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1953
The Crucible ProblemsMiller used this play to respond to McCarthyism, when the U.S. government blacklisted accused communists (he thought it was stupid)
As a result, Miller was brought in for questioning by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Un-American Activities in 1956
He was convicted of “contempt of Congress” for refusing to identify others present at meetings he had attended
The Crucible (1996) Film
Directed by Nicholas Hytner
Stars:Daniel Day-Lewis (John Proctor)
Winona Ryder (Abigail Williams)
Joan Allen (Elizabeth Proctor)
Awards:Miller was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
Joan Allen was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress