Arthur Miller was deeply fascinated by the witch trials that occurred in Salem, Massachusetts in the late 17th century. This fascination stemmed from his belief that the events of the trials were not isolated incidents, but rather emblematic of larger societal issues that continue to be relevant today. One of the reasons Miller was fascinated by the witch trials was because he saw them as an allegory for the McCarthyism era in which he was writing "The Crucible". The McCarthy era was characterized by a widespread fear of communism, similar to the fear of witchcraft that gripped Salem. Miller saw parallels in the way both situations led to a climate of hysteria and the scapegoating of innocent individuals. Furthermore, Miller was also intrigued by the power dynamics at play during the witch trials.
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible: Witch Hunting for the Classroom
A bolt of lightning releases the handcuffs on a woman accused of being a witch and strikes down her inquisitor in this late nineteenth-century lithograph of a colonial-era trial.
"It would probably never have occurred to me to write a play about the Salem witch trials of 1692 had I not seen some astonishing correspondences with that calamity in the America of the late 40s and early 50s. My basic need was to respond to a phenomenon which, with only small exaggeration, one could say paralyzed a whole generation and in a short time dried up the habits of trust and toleration in public discourse."
—Arthur Miller
In their book Salem Possessed, Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum remark upon the prominent place the Salem witch trials have in America's cultural consciousness. They observe, “For most Americans the episode ranks in familiarity somewhere between Plymouth Rock and Custer's last stand.” Moreover, they note that because of the trials' dramatic elements, “It is no coincidence that the Salem witch trials are best known today through the work of a playwright, not a historian . When Arthur Miller published The Crucible in the early 1950s, he simply outdid the historians at their own game.”
Furthermore, Miller was also intrigued by the power dynamics at play during the witch trials. He saw the trials as an opportunity to explore the ways in which authority figures can manipulate and control the masses through fear and manipulation. This can be seen in the character of Judge Danforth in "The Crucible", who uses the trials as a means to consolidate and maintain his power.
The Crucible and the Salem witch trials
EDSITEment lesson Dramatizing History in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, offers an engaging series of activities for students to examine the ways in which Miller interpreted the facts of the witch trials and successfully dramatized them. Aligns with CCSS RL.11-12.3 - Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama.
Scrutiny of Miller's historical sources, which include biographies of key players (the accused and the accusers) and primary source transcripts of the Salem witch trials themselves give students a chance to trace the events embellished in the play back to historical Salem. A detailed study of a timeline accompanies their close reading of The Crucible. Students put themselves in the place of the playwright to answer:
- What makes these trials so compelling?
- What is it about this particular tragic segment of American history that appeals to the creative imagination?
- How can history be dramatic, and how can drama bring history to life?
Aligns with CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.3 - Evaluate various explanations for actions or events and determine which explanation best accords with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text leaves matters uncertain.
As students examine historical materials with an eye to their dramatic potential, they also explore the psychological and sociological questions that so fascinated Miller:
- Why were the leaders of Salem's clerical and civil community ready to condemn to death 19 people who refused to acknowledge being witches based on spectral evidence and the hysterical words of young girls?
- Why would the church and government authorities continue to credit these wild and unsubstantiated stories as respectable people from all walks of life—landowners, women of independent means, neighbors, even clergy—were arrested and brought to trial?
- What was it about the time period that made such hysteria, and ultimately tragedy, possible?
Aligns with CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.8 - Evaluate an author's premises, claims, and evidence by corroborating or challenging them with other information.
An additional activity would be to ask students to compare two or more recorded or live productions of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible to the written text. They may evaluate how each version interprets the source text and debate which aspects of the enacted interpretations of the play best capture a particular character, scene, or theme.
Aligns with CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.7 - Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama, or poem (e.g., recorded or live production of a play or recorded novel or poetry), evaluating how each version interprets the source text. (Include at least one play by an American dramatist.)
Additionally, Miller was drawn to the theme of individuality versus conformity that is present in the witch trials. The trials were a result of the rigid social structure of Puritan society, where any deviation from the norm was seen as a threat. This theme of individuals being persecuted for their differences resonated with Miller, who himself was targeted during the McCarthy era for his liberal political beliefs. Overall, Miller's fascination with the witch trials can be attributed to his belief that they were not just historical events, but rather cautionary tales about the dangers of mass hysteria, abuse of power, and the suppression of individuality. By exploring these themes in "The Crucible", Miller intended to shed light on the darker aspects of human nature and society, and to challenge his audience to reflect on the lessons that history can teach us..
Reviews for "Delving into Arthur Miller's Intrigue with the Witch Trials"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Why was Miller fascinated by the witch trials" to be a tedious read. The book seemed to be more focused on Miller's personal experiences and opinions rather than providing an objective analysis of the witch trials. It lacked a clear structure and often jumped from one idea to another without any coherence. I also felt that Miller failed to adequately support his arguments with evidence and relied too heavily on conjecture. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others seeking a comprehensive understanding of the witch trials.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I honestly cannot understand why anyone would find "Why was Miller fascinated by the witch trials" intriguing. The book was filled with unnecessary details and tangents that only served to confuse the reader. The author seemed more interested in showcasing his own writing style rather than providing a focused analysis of the topic. Additionally, Miller's arguments were often weak and lacked substance. It left me with more questions than answers, and I would caution others against wasting their time reading this book.
3. Mark - 2 stars - As someone who has always been fascinated by the Salem witch trials, I was excited to read "Why was Miller fascinated by the witch trials". However, I was disappointed by the lack of depth and insight in this book. Miller seemed to rely heavily on his own assumptions and interpretations rather than presenting a well-researched and balanced perspective. The writing style was also quite dry and academic, making it difficult to stay engaged with the text. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book and would recommend looking elsewhere for a more comprehensive analysis of the witch trials.