Directions: After reading the passage above, answer the following questions on a separate piece
of paper using complete sentences.
1. What do you think Miller meant when he wrote, "This play is not history in the sense in
which the word is used by the academic historian"? In what sense of "history" do you
think the play was written? Why?
2. In what medium have you seen the concept 'based on a true story'? What does this
phrase mean? Why do you think authors and screenwriters might alter 'history' or true
events?
3.
What does Miller mean when he says that he has "symbolized them all in Hathorne and
Danforth"? Why do you think Miller did this?
4.
Miller states that "The fate of each character is exactly that of his historical model..."
What does Miller mean by this statement?
5.
Why did Miller have a difficult time creating the characters exactly as they were in real
life?
6. What does Miller mean by the phrase "sources of varying reliability"? Why might this
be a problem for Miller and historians alike?
7.
Overall, what is the message Miller wants the reader to understand from this note on the
historical accuracy of the play? Why do you think he included this note in the text of the
play? What do you think might have been the result if he had not included this note?
