Arther Miller
Arthur Miller was an American playwright in twentieth-century American Theater. His most popular plays are all my sons, Death of a Salesman , The crucible and A View from the Bridge. He also wrote several screenplays and was most noted for his work on The Misfits. Miller was also often in the public eye, particularly during the 1940's, 50's and 60's. During this time he was awarded the Pultizer Prize for Drama, Testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee, and was later married to Marilyn Monroe.
Background information on the Crucible
Inspired by the McCarthy hearings in the 1950's Arthur Millers play, The Crucible, focuses on the inconsistancies of the trials, the scares of mass hysteria throughout salem, and what happens as a result of extreme behavior and dark desires. Miller bases the play off of the historical accounts of the witch trials. He creates a mood in the play reminiscant of the historical period of the puritan culture. Particularly he focuses on the discovery of the girls who were found dancing in the forest and start making claims of witchcraft. He begins to show the ironic events of the accusations made by everyone in salem. He shows that as the arrests are being made the distrust in the community begins to plumit and the morals of the government begin to corrupt. While the historical context of "The Crucible" is true Miller did make adjustments to the ages, backgrounds and occupations of several individuals that were mentioned in the historical records. Millers incorperation of motive into the characters provides both a realistic scenario that is belioeveable and applicable to society.