Fake news: the rapid spreading of false stories and public shame are familiar to anyone with access to the internet.What do they believe will be the advantages and disadvantages of this? The traditional gender roles of the characters can be frustrating for students, with Elizabeth perceived as a good but dull woman and Abigail, a classic ‘bad girl.’ From their research, what justifications can they provide for the female characters’ actions? What do they know about the restrictions on their lives and society’s expectations of their behaviour? An upcoming production of the play will have a female Proctor.This could mean choosing a historic setting, as Miller did, or it might involve creating a visual metaphor, such as setting a current conflict in a boxing ring. Ask them to think of a current event and what theatrical metaphor could be used to reinforce its themes and meaning. Using Miller’s own description in Timebends, discuss why he chose the 17 century setting rather than the 1950s. Discuss the idea of theatrical metaphor.Have them suggest at least one alternative setting for the play which they think would add to its relevance for a modern audience. Ask the students to make a list of the advantages and disadvantages of changing the setting of the play. Study production photos of ‘The Crucible’, including any that are non-traditional, such as the 2016 Broadway production.Research should enhance the students’ understanding of the play and itsĭiscussion topics could assist with this:
PHOTO SENSE OF TIME AND PLACE SERIES
Rather than a series of dates and facts, any Not permit me to use the name of another person.’ There are also some online videos of some ofĪutobiography Timebends, which discusses his disappointment in Kazan’sĭecision to testify, his own inner turmoil and his research of the Salem Witch Himself, who did not, saying, ‘’All I can say, sir, is that my conscience will Pressure to confess in order to save his acting career Elia Kazan, Arthur Miller’s frequentĭirector, who decided to name members of the Communist party and Miller Testimonies include those of Larry Parks, who was emotionally torn by the You Now or Have You Ever Been’ by Eric Bentley, a piece of verbatim theatre Who broke the clothing laws, by wearing a silken hood, an useful example of the
Also research the 1676 case of Hannah Lynam Society website to read about life in Puritan times. The 1680s who survived being hung after accusations of being a witch. ‘Half-hanged Mary’ by Margaret Atwood about a distant relation of Atwood’s in Note how Miller’s dialogue was influenced by The original accusations of the historic Abigail against John Proctor. ) There are many fascinating documents including
PHOTO SENSE OF TIME AND PLACE ARCHIVE
Online documentary archive and transcription project (. Strategies for making the contexts clear and engaging for students. Students today could find both theĬoncerns of the committee, with its hunt for Communists and ‘red’ propaganda,Īs alien as the lives of the Puritans portrayed in ‘The Crucible’, Below are Whereas a 21st century audience might be entirely unaware of the House Un-AmericanĪctivities Committee (HUAC) hearings. ‘The Crucible’ would have known the current events Miller was criticising, There is a third time period to consider: the period in which they are viewing
Play was set and that in which it was written.įor ‘The Crucible,’ there was a gap of well over two hundred yearsīetween the play’s setting in 1692 Colonial America and being written in the Performances, his audience was aware of two time periods, the time in which the Yet, his work can be challenging to convey in aĬlassroom, with students struggling with the context, often finding theĬharacters’ lives too far removed from their own. Miller continues to excite actors, directors and audiences with hisĪbility to tackle big ideas and deep emotions, which resonate with different Sophie Okonedo and Saoirse Ronan in an updated setting of ‘The Crucible’ onīroadway. Last year, Don Warrington played Willy LomanĪ Salesman’ in Manchester, while 2016 saw a starry cast including Ben Whishaw, ‘The Crucible’(1953) at the Yard Theatre in London. Also scheduled is an innovative female-led production of The Old Vic and ‘Death of a Salesman’ (1949) at the Young Vic with Wendell Pierce Upcoming productions include the hotly anticipated ‘All My Sons’ (1947) starring Sally Field at There are two Miller productions in the West End: ‘The Price’ (1968) and ‘TheĪmerican Clock’ (1980). The lasting popularity of Arthur Miller’s
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