Identity What does this article tell you about the Puritans? What do you already know about the Puritans? How might your identity be different if you had been a Puritan in the 1600’s?

What do you know about the Salem Witch Trials or about The Crucible?

Salem, Massachusetts, 1692

Puritans

Puritans A sect of Christians Immigrated to colonies from England escape religious persecution Intolerant of others

Puritan Society Disapproved of idleness and frivolity. Had a strong social hierarchy. Religion at the center of society. Strict punishments for transgressors.

Puritan Society Living in a wilderness with harsh conditions. Dependant on farming. Starvation and sickness real threats. Frequent skirmishes with Native Americans.

Puritan Society Survival depended on hard work. Community , social order, hierarchy necessary for survival.

Religious Beliefs Suffering was often seen as the result of displeasing God. People believed that you could attract the devil’s attention by sinful behavior, also causing suffering.

Witchcraft People of the time truly believed in the physical existence of the devil and witches on earth. Witches had signed their souls over to the devil. He gave them special powers that they then used to torment their neighbors. Ministers used books like the Malleus Maleficarum to find signs of witchcraft.

Witchcraft Witches were often accused of: Causing illness, especially of cattle and children Ruining crops, milk, or tools Stopping people from praying Sending their spirits or “shapes” out to do various types of mischief

. . . . Witch Hunts In slightly earlier times in Europe, witches were often found using the water test. They were then burned at the stake. These methods were NOT used on witches in Salem.

Salem Witch Trials Evidence of witchcraft included: Witch marks The inability to pray The inability to cry The ability to calm the fits of the afflicted by touching them Spectral evidence People were tortured for confessions

Salem Witch Trials Salem, 1692. Young girls (the afflicted girls) began falling into fits. They accused people in Salem and surrounding villages of bewitching them. Authorities believed them, arrested and tried those accused. Hundreds of people were imprisoned, including children as young as four. 19 people and 2 dogs were hanged for witchcraft. 1 man was pressed to death with stones. At least 5 people died in prison.

Salem Witch Trials Many unafflicted adults also gave testimony against the witches. When a witch confessed, she had to name other witches to prove that her confession was sincere. If a witch confessed, she was allowed to live, because she had repented. If a witch did not confess, she was hung, because she refused to repent.

The Salem Witch Trials are seen as an example of mass hysteria.

Arthur Miller, playwright and author of The Crucible, with his wife, Marilyn Monroe.

Characters Salem John Proctor Elizabeth Proctor Mary Warren Rev. Samuel Parris Abigail Williams Betty Parris Tituba Rebecca Nurse Francis Nurse Giles Corey Martha Corey Thomas Putnam Ann Putnam Ruth Putnam Mercy Lewis Rev. John Hale Deputy Gov. Danforth Judge Hathorne

Barbados Massachusetts

Tragic Hero A person that is, in general, bigger, better, stronger than most. Has a major flaw. This flaw leads to the character’s downfall.

Sumptuary Laws

Arthur Miller Wrote The Crucible in 1953 It is historical fiction. Based on historical people and events, but some details have been changed.

The Cold War

The Red Scare

Senator Joseph McCarthy

McCarthyism

The House Un-American Committee

McCarthyism

Edward R. Murrow and CBS

Overarching Questions Is there a difference between serving justice and sustaining the order of the court, and if so, what is it? What is the difference between a crowd and a community and how is this important to the play? When is safety in numbers a good principle to follow? When is it a bad principle? Why have a court system with lawyers and a jury? Why not just a judge? How did Miller change historical events or people to make the play tragic? Why weren’t the actual events tragic enough? Why is The Crucible an appropriate title for the play? Where does all social, political and moral authority in 17th century Puritan society come from? Who has the least authority? How do the events of the trials uphold or subvert this power structure?

Motifs Truth/Lies Betrayal/Loyalty Guilt/Innocence Power/Subjugation Fear/Courage

Terms Hysteria Scapegoating Opportunism Conjuring Goody / Goodwife / Goodman Meeting/ Meeting House Poppet

Overarching Questions