Journal Topic for Tuesday, October 23rdJournal Topic for Tuesday, October 23rd

What do you already know about What do you already know about Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible?” Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible?”

McCarthy, Blacklists, HUAC McCarthy, Blacklists, HUAC and Arthur Miller (the guy and Arthur Miller (the guy who wrote the who wrote the CrucibleCrucible…)…)

How can an author use a historical How can an author use a historical situation to illustrate a current situation to illustrate a current

problem?problem?

Why did Miller write this play in Why did Miller write this play in the 1950’s, hundreds of years the 1950’s, hundreds of years

after the historical Salem Witch after the historical Salem Witch trials?trials?

The CrucibleThe Crucible

Written by Arthur Miller (1915-2005)Written by Arthur Miller (1915-2005) The Crucible was first staged at the The Crucible was first staged at the

Martin Beck Theater on Broadway on Martin Beck Theater on Broadway on January 22, 1953 when Miller was 38 January 22, 1953 when Miller was 38 years old. years old.

Quick 20Quick 20thth century history lesson… century history lesson…

1919 – Communists overthrow Czar 1919 – Communists overthrow Czar of Russiaof Russia

““October Revolution” led to growth October Revolution” led to growth of the USSRof the USSR

Americans aware, but didn’t think it Americans aware, but didn’t think it was importantwas important

American CommunistAmerican Communist

Party createdParty created

THEN CAME WWII…THEN CAME WWII…

Allies in WWIIAllies in WWII Different political ideologies signaled Different political ideologies signaled

beginning of COLD WARbeginning of COLD WAR Became very unpopular to be Became very unpopular to be

Communist in AmericaCommunist in America Anyone who is or was Communist Anyone who is or was Communist

considered threatconsidered threat Led to creation of HUACLed to creation of HUAC

What is HUAC?What is HUAC?

HUAC stands for:HUAC stands for: HHouse ouse UUnnAAmerican merican AActivities ctivities CCommittee.ommittee.

Investigated everyoneInvestigated everyone 19 people named in Hollywood19 people named in Hollywood Studios started creating BlacklistsStudios started creating Blacklists

People named and listed in hearingsPeople named and listed in hearings Could not work anywhereCould not work anywhere

Who was blacklisted?Who was blacklisted?

Over 300 entertainers were placed Over 300 entertainers were placed on blacklists and one point or on blacklists and one point or another, including: Charlie Chaplin another, including: Charlie Chaplin (actor), Pete Seeger (folk singer), (actor), Pete Seeger (folk singer), Richard Wright (writer), Dorothy Richard Wright (writer), Dorothy Parker (writer), Leonard Berstein Parker (writer), Leonard Berstein (movie composer).(movie composer).

Then came 1950…Then came 1950…

Joseph McCarthy electedJoseph McCarthy elected Previously unknown; became instant Previously unknown; became instant

household namehousehold name Accused nearly everyoneAccused nearly everyone

Very rarely had evidenceVery rarely had evidence Never proved plots to overthrow the Never proved plots to overthrow the

countrycountry

Eventually he targeted Arthur MillerEventually he targeted Arthur Miller

Established playwrightEstablished playwright Married to Marilyn MonroeMarried to Marilyn Monroe Asked to name associates, Asked to name associates,

but refusedbut refused

Parallels: 1950’s to the playParallels: 1950’s to the play

Communism = witchcraftCommunism = witchcraft HUAC, and McCarthy = the court, and HUAC, and McCarthy = the court, and

Reverend Parris Reverend Parris Proctor = Arthur MillerProctor = Arthur Miller Blacklists = list of condemned witchesBlacklists = list of condemned witches McCarthy used his accusations for McCarthy used his accusations for

political and personal gain = Putnam political and personal gain = Putnam and others used witchcraft hysteria for and others used witchcraft hysteria for personal gain. Parris tried to hide personal gain. Parris tried to hide behind his power.behind his power.

Endings…Endings…

McCarthy eventually lost McCarthy eventually lost powerpower

Miller went on to be one of Miller went on to be one of America’s most celebrated America’s most celebrated playwrightsplaywrights

What really caused the witch hysteria?What really caused the witch hysteria? Fungal poisoning!Fungal poisoning!