| What was the period in which Arthur Miller lived? | 20th Century |
| Where did Arthur Miller live? | New York |
| What famous actress did Miller marry? | Marilyn Monroe |
| What historical events did Arthur Miller live through during his lifetime? | World War II, Vietnam, Communism scare/McCarthyism |
| 1947 | All My Sons – man who sold faulty machine parts to U.S. military during World War II |
| 1949 | Death of a Salesman – the harshness of American business |
| 1953 | The Crucible – allegory for Senator McCarthy’s ongoing persecution of suspected Communists |
| 1957 | found in contempt of Congress – refused to name suspected Communists |
| 1961 | The Misfits – movie starring Marilyn Monroe |
| 1964 | After the Fall/Incident at Vichy – about the Holocaust |
| 1968 | The Price – two brothers dealing with the death of their father |
| 1993 | The Last Yankee |
| What was Miller’s main purpose for writing? | To call attention to American problems |
| What is Miller’s purpose for writing The Crucible? | To call attention to the oppressive tactics of Joseph McCarthy |
| How does Miller convey his purpose in The Crucible? | Using the example of the Salem Witch Trials, which most everyone knows about |
| What is McCarthyism? | Practice of making accusations of treason without proper regard for evidence |
| What years involved McCarthyism? | 1947-1956 |
| What is this time also known as? | Second Red Scare |
| Who was President of the United States at the time? | Truman |
| Who was Joseph McCarthy? | Senator from Wisconsin from 1947-1957 |
| What does HUAC stand for? | House Committee on Un-American Activities |
| What does HUAC have to do with McCarthyism? | The HUAC investigated alleged and suspected Communists |
| Why is McCarthyism a negative term? | It took away people’s rights and freedoms. |
| Who were the primary targets during the McCarthy era? | Hollywood actors, writers, and directors |
| What happened to people who were “found guilty” or disloyal or treasonous? | Brought before Congress, sometimes sentenced to prison |
| How can you connect McCarthyism to the Salem Witch Trials? | Guilty until proven innocent/lack of evidence to convict people/ “witchhunt” – going after people based on stereotypes |
| lacking in ability to move | Inert |
| a system of belief/faith | Creed |
| self-contradictory statement that is actually true | Paradox |
| concealing one’s true motives | Dissembling |
| person lacking culture/values | Heathen |
| female head of the household (like Mrs.) | Goody |
| humble submission and respect | Deference |
| enormous, immense | Prodigious |
| immorality/immoral behavior | Iniquity |
| the act of teaching persistently to implant an idea | Inculcation |
The crucible
March 1, 2020