Examines witch hunts that took place in 17th
Century Salem, Massachusetts.
Early settlers in N.America had fled
from religious prosecution in England
and Europe
Intense about religious purity - lived simple
lives in small, claustrophobic communities.
Modern standards -
'religious fanatics'
Intolerant of
alternative viewpoints
Subtly refers to 'communist witch
hunts' in USA, 1950s
1950s America went through a period of intense fear of
the spread of the anti-capitalist economic system,
communism.
The government organised an investigation to identify
communists and eradicate their positions of influence. Often
referred to as 'communist witch hunt'.
Written when Miller was already
successful playwright
The author - Miller
Jewish parents were both immigrants from Poland. They came
to America at a time when people were looking for the
economic and religious freedom of 'the American dream'.
Link to puritans fmigrating to Salem to
practice religion and way of life freely
Miller's family were well off until the
financial crisis in America (wall street crash)
in 1920s. Huge impact upon ruined family,
affected young Arthur.
He viewed it as the failure of the
American dream and of the Capitalist
economic system on which his family
had built their hopes of a better life.
Capitalism focuses on the individual and capital (money)
The Pigs, led by Napoleon, ordering jam and
focousing on increased profits on the farm
Miller himself appeared before the House committee of
Un-American Activities in 1956. as did many of his
influential writer and theatre friends.
Underlying themes
Portrays witch hunting as something deep within the origins of the American
society. Miller shows the witch hunting arising from a variety of motives;
unbounded fear, jealousy and revenge.
Scape goating/landing blame
It portrayed an ugly and unflattering
image of American society and the human
condition
Far from the way that Americans and
humanity like to view themselves.