Download
1 / 15
150 likes | 165 Views
Explore the tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials in Arthur Miller's iconic play set in 1692 Massachusetts, delving into themes of truth, hysteria, and the clash between individuals and society in a Puritan community. Learn about author Arthur Miller and Puritan life.
E N D
The Crucibleby: Arthur Miller *Background Information*
Author- Arthur Miller • Born in New York in 1915. • Miller became interested in writing after he graduated high school in 1932. • He studied journalism at the University of Michigan. • He also wrote Death of a Salesman, another popular play. • The Crucible became an American classic. - Play (text) - Broadway - Movie
Story takes place in Salem, Massachusetts. Year- 1692 In this time period, Salem was predominantly Puritan. SETTING- Salem, Massachusetts
Puritans • During the late 1600s, Salem, Massachusetts was predominantly Puritan. • Puritans fled England to escape religious persecution. • They settled in Salem, Massachusetts to establish their own colony where they were free to worship as they pleased. • Other non-Puritans, who were English merchants also settled in the village to sell their goods, but this often caused tension within the community. • ‘Puritans associated with other Puritans’
Puritanism is a “religious culture”. Puritans lived a very strict and conservative lifestyle. Females were not allowed to expose any part of their body (fully clothed) from neck to toe. Many women even wore bonnets. They lived their life according to the bible. They did not believe in recreation for amusement. They were not supposed to dance or have silly fun. They were forbidden to go in the woods/ forest. -The woods was seen as a dark, forsaken area where evil existed- devil worshippers. -Seen as property of wild animals and Indians which was seen as barbaric- again, where evil resides. They were not supposed to read books for leisure, only the religious bible. Sunday was the day of the Sabbath- dedicated to church, prayer, and reading of the bible. Puritans were not supposed to work on this day. Puritan Beliefs
Witchcraft • Witchcraft is defined as the use of sorcery (fantasy- wizard) or magic; communication with the devil or with a familiar evil • Any form of witchcraft was taboo to Puritans and if Puritans were found guilty of associating with witchcraft, they were hung and killed
Witchcraft continued… • People who were known to practice witchcraft were seen as worshipers of the devil- which was against Puritan beliefs. • People accused of witchcraft were “guilty until proven innocent”. • They would be incarcerated until brought to trial. If they were found to be guilty (based on their actions, witness testimony, or experts on witchcrafts agreed) they would be publically hung in town so set an example for others of the severity of the punishment.
“Guilty Until Proven Innocent” • The judicial system in Salem, Massachusetts during the 1600s was based on the law and religious beliefs (Puritan beliefs based on the bible). • The judicial system today is based on the laws of the state and country (regardless of culture or religion). • The judicial system believed in the idea of “Guilty Until Proven Innocent.” What does this mean? • The law today is “Innocent Until Proven Guilty.” What is the difference between the two?
‘Terms’ in the play • “Goody” as in Goody Proctor or Goody Corey means “Ms.” as in Ms. Proctor, Ms. Corey, or Ms. Amorin- It is a form of respect for a woman. • inert- motionless; non-reactive ( as if in comma) • creed- a statement of beliefs of principles • potent- very strong; effective; powerful
Terms • vengeance- punishment that is inflicted in return for a wrong • contention- an opinion or claim stated in the course of an argument • afflicted- to cause severe or mental distress to somebody • theology- religious theory • summon- a call to court; to send for somebody • penitence- regret for sins
Love Loyalty Trust Deception Authority Hysteria Reputation Truth Responsibility Individual vs. Society Truth vs. Hypocrisy Order vs. Chaos Good vs. Evil Themes
John Proctor- farmer Reverend Parris- Reverend in Salem Abigail Williams- 17 year old niece of Parris Tituba- slave from Barbados Betty Parris- 10 year old daughter or Reverend Parris Elizabeth Proctor- Proctor’s wife Francis Nurse- older famer; respected neighbor Ruth Putnam- one of the “inert” girls Thomas Putman- wealthy man in town; has disputes with neighbors over land/ money Ann Putnam- wife of Thomas Susanna Walcott- Abigail’s friend; afflicted Mercy Lewis- Putnam’s servant; Abigail’s friend Mary Warren- Abigail’s friend; Proctor’s servant Rebecca Nurse- sweet, elderly woman in town Giles Corey- older farmer; complains a lot Rev. John Hale- expert on witches Characters
Settings of Play • Act I- Reverend Parris’s home • Act II- John Proctor’s home • Act III- The Salem Court • Act IV- The Salem Jail
Opening of Play • The opening of the play takes place the day after the young girls from town including Abigail Williams, Betty Parris, Susanna Walcott, Mary Warren, Mercy Lewis, Tituba, and Ruth Putnam- snuck out of their home and all met in the woods. • While in the woods, the girls sang, danced, and talked about the boys they liked. Tituba sang songs from Barbados as the girls put flowers in a pot of water that stood over a small fire. • Abigail cursed a woman she disliked in town and drank chicken blood. • Reverend Parris caught the girls in the woods, and they all dispersed in a hurry scared that they were caught. • What happened that was against Puritan values? Explain why?
