The Salem Witch Trials The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
-
Upload
sabina-wilkins -
Category
Documents
-
view
216 -
download
3
Transcript of The Salem Witch Trials The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
The Salem Witch Trials
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Background Information
Witch trials & hangings common in Europe during this time
Over 100 people accused in Massachusetts from 1630 to 1692
Dozens were put to death The Crucible is set in 1692 in Massachusetts but
Miller wrote it in 1953 during the McCarthy Era The events of the play are based on real people &
real events
Characters
Nine year old Betty Paris & 11 year old Abigail Williams– Cousins– In the play, Abigail is around 16 years old– Both lived with Reverend Parris– They were the accusers– Had spasms in which they:
1. Went into convulsions2. Barked like dogs3. Howled4. Began itching or freezing
Characters Continued
Reverend Parris– Widower– In his mid-40’s– Minister of Salem– Massive control freak
Tituba-Native American (her tribe came from the West Indies)
-She was a slave “owned” by Reverend Parris-Believed that she had special powers…reading your future
Characters Continued
John Proctor-In his mid-40’s-Know for being a religious man-Well respected farmer & community member-Husband to Elizabeth Proctor
Elizabeth Proctor (Goody Proctor)-Married to John-Know for being a very upstanding woman
Reverend Hale– He is the one hired to come into Salem to discern if Satan is
behind all the commotion
Actual Witch Trial Events
At first, only three people were accused & all were “outcasts” in Salem
Accusations quickly spread throughout the community
One 80 year old man is pressed to death Fourteen women were hung along with five
men and two dogs
Actual Witch Trial Events
The accusations halted when the governor’s wife is accused & then he puts a stop to it
Modern historians attribute the Witch Trials to ergot– A mold that grows on wheat, bread, etc.
– If ingested, it has the same effects as LSD (hallucinations, itching, delusions, howling, etc.)
– Many historians believe that ergot probably grew in Salem during this time