Crucible NotesCrucible Notes

Miller used actual events to create his works. The Crucible was designed to address artistic/political purposes.

First produced on Broadway on January 22, 1953, it was in response to the panic caused by irrational fear of Communism during the Cold War.

This fear created a need for anti-Communist hearings by Senator Joseph McCarthy which started on Feb. 3, 1953

The Puritans

Who were the Puritans?Why were these people called the Puritans?Where did they live?How did they live?…

Puritanism was in a sense a code of ethics. Puritans wereEnglish Protestants in fundamental convictions.

Due to the isolation of New England from Europe, the sparse soil, the climate, and economic struggles, madethese society of people very unique.

It was a group that was tightly organized, highly articulate,and a continuous dominant factor in Americanthought and life.

Puritans:

The name was established through their philosophyof purification.

The Church of England was going through reformationsunder Henry VIII. Politics and religion were closelytied together, and those outside were considered to be ‘unholy’ and ‘enemies’.

A compromise was reached in 1559 (English Settlement)which would lead to a bitter war in 1642. The goal wasa national church tied closely together. The Puritans seized power but were divided.

Beliefs and laws:

Government & Church:1. Ruled under and only under consent of those to be governed.2. Based on God’s external law of justice and subordination.3. Rule of the social righteousness4. Rejoice together, suffer together, labor together…

While espousing purity and godliness, the Puritans of Salem were a political group with the same leanings toward power and weaknesses that affect other people.

SalemSalemandand

TrialsTrials

Historically, 14 women and five men were hanged in Salem as witches in 1692.

Statements that Satan had been seen talking to some of the accused were made by adolescent girls and their testimony was taken as fact.

Those accused who did not confess to working with the Devil were convicted, imprisoned and, on occasion, killed.

Ultimately, the governor of Massachusetts stepped in and put an end to the trials.

Punishments Used:Punishments Used:

Giles Cory was the only one in the history of America to be legally pressed to death.

Salem Stocks

Connections

Throughout American history, since Salem, there have been periods of hysteria and injustice. - The internment of Japanese Americans - The Communist hunts of the 1950’s - Accusations of child abuse - Arab Americans

CharacterizationCharacterizationParris - A minister,worried about his own reputation rather than the town or the truth. Betty - Parris’ daughter.  Abigail - Parris’ niece and Proctor’s mistress.  She is the leader of the girls who accuses people of witchcraft during the trial.

Tituba - Parris’ slave from Barbados.  Accused by Abigail. Mrs. Putnam - Wife of Thomas Putnam.  She first plants the idea of Betty being bewitched.

Ruth - Daughter of the Putnams. 

Mercy Lewis - Putnams’ servant. 

John Proctor - Main character.  Committed adultery with Abigail.

Elizabeth Proctor - John Proctor’s wife.  Upright woman, accused of being a witch.  Could not forgive Proctor for adultery.

Mary Warren - Proctor’s servant.  Plants evidence on Elizabeth.

Reverend Hale – Minister & Self proclaimed expert on witchcraft. Deputy Gov. Dansforth - Deputy Gov. of Massachusetts He works more to keep the reputation of the court than to seek justice.

Judge Hathorne - Judge presiding over the witch trials. Rebecca Nurse - Respected, upright wife of Francis Nurse.  She is accused of witchcraft.

Francis Nurse - Rebecca’s Husband.  He had land disputes with the Putnams.

Giles Corey - Old cranky villager who accidentally causes his wife to be accused.

Sarah Good - She is an accused witch who becomes insane while awaiting her hanging.