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The Crucible

**Crucible = severe test**. The Crucible. Puritans . Never formally left the Church of England (wanted to return and “ purify ” the church).

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The Crucible

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  1. **Crucible = severe test** The Crucible

  2. Puritans • Never formally left the Church of England (wanted to return and “purify” the church). • They believed God ruled first, followed by the church which should have power over the government. (The purpose of government was to ensure that people obeyed God’s commandments.) • Developed a THEOCRACY – a combination of state and religious power whose function was to keep the community together

  3. Church of England and the Puritans • Corruption - Puritans believed the Church of England was becoming corrupted. -Too many similarities to Roman Catholic Church (example: elaborate churches) • Puritan Solution? -Leave England and “purify” the Church elsewhere (Massachusetts Bay Colony ). -Planned to return later to England and restore the Church.

  4. Puritan Principles • God is an absolute ruler who is merciless, angry, and vengeful. • Mankind is evil and helpless. • Humans are born sinful (original sin) and they deserve the damnation of Hellfire. • Humans can only be saved from damnation through God’s grace. • God intervenes in one’s daily life (Providence). • Predestination - salvation is predetermined before birth. God "saves" those he wishes - only a few are selected for salvation. • How do you know that you are saved? 1. Puritan Ministers preached that leading a “Godly” life was an outward sign of salvation. 2. Those elected by God have full power to interpret God’s will.

  5. Puritan Beliefs • Bible should be taken literally • Believed churches should be simple • Believed in meeting in congregations • Belief in: 1. hard work 2. morality 3. independence 4. commitment **Valued education (founded Harvard & Yale)

  6. Key Concepts of Puritanism • Puritans believed their way of life was right, and all other ways were wrong. • Puritan views about sin were strict; they believed every man could be tempted by the devil. • Puritans believed that once a man sinned that he must openly confess his sin, repent, and perform an act of penance. • One of the worst sins a Puritan could commit was adultery. • For Puritans, the Devil was an active member of mankind.

  7. Play - Background Information • Set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 • Town set-up: • Meeting house (church for Puritans) • Small dark houses • Tavern • The edge of wilderness was close by

  8. Main Characters • Reverend Samuel Parris – believed he was persecuted • Betty Parris (10) – bewitched in beginning of play • Tituba – slave to Reverend Parris; from Barbados • Abigail Williams (17) – niece to Rev. Parris; the “ringleader” of girls • Mrs. Ann Putnam – mother to Ruth (another bewitched girl) • Thomas Putnam – held grievances against many townspeople • Marry Warren (17) – servant girl to the Proctors • John Proctor (30’s) – farmer; powerful of body, even tempered, and not easily led by others; respected and feared • Giles Cory (83) – he and his wife Martha stopped going to church when they were married – others suspicious of this • Rev. John Hale – called in as a specialist in witch trials • Rebecca Nurse (72) – most religious in town; many are jealous of her good reputation, so they accuse her.

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