The Crucible by Arthur Miller Salem Witch Trials

The Crucible by: Arthur Miller

Salem Witch Trials n Who? Puritans ¨ 16 th and 17 th century England ¨ Advocated for more “purity” ¨ Emphasized private study of the Bible ¨ Did not celebrate holidays ¨ Theocracy – a blend of church and government officials. (Church and State were not separate. ) n n When? 1692 Where? Salem, Massachusetts

Salem Witch Trials (continued) n Why? ¨A group of teenage girls accused other community members of practicing witchcraft. ¨ Over 200 people were jailed and accused of practicing witchcraft. ¨ Nineteen men and women were convicted and hanged. ¨ http: //school. discoveryeducation. com/schooladventur es/salemwitchtrials/story. html

Interactive Activity n n Go to Google. Type in Salem Witch Trials for Children Find the link from your handout! Use the information on the website to answer the questions!

The Crucible by: Arthur Miller CAST OF CHARACTERS

John Proctor A local farmer. n Elizabeth’s husband. n Has an affair with Abigail Williams. n

Abigail Williams Reverend Parris’ niece. n Was once a servant for the John and Elizabeth Proctor. n Fired by Elizabeth for having an affair with John. n Smart; good liar; vindictive n (http: //dictionary. reference. com/browse/vindictive)

Reverend John Hale A young minister. n Expert on witchcraft. n Called to Salem to examine Betty. n Christian. n Hates witchcraft. n Makes a decision and then regrets it. n

Elizabeth Proctor John Proctor’s wife. n Fired Abigail. n Virtuous but cold. n

Reverend Parris Minister of Salem’s church. n “power hungry” n Concerned with his position in the community. n Is disliked by a lot of community members. n

Rebecca Nurse Francis Nurse’s wife. n Wise, sensible and upright. n Accused by the Putnam’s of practicing witchcraft. n Refuses to confess to this crime. n

Francis Nurse Wealthy and influential in Salem. n Well respected. n Enemy of Thomas Putnam and his wife. n

Deputy Governor Danforth Governor of Massachusetts. n Judge at the witch trials. n Is convinced that he always does what is right. n

Giles Corey An elderly farmer in Salem. n Enjoys filing lawsuits. n Husband of Martha Corey. n His wife is accused of witchcraft. n Held in contempt of court. n Stoned to death. n

Thomas Putnam Wealthy, influential citizen of Salem. n Does not like Francis Nurse. n Uses the witch trials to build up his own wealth. n ¨ He accuses people of witchcraft. ¨ Once they’re locked up, he buys their land.

Mrs. Ann Putnam Wife of Thomas Putnam n Has given birth to 8 children but only one (Ruth) survived. n All other children died before they were one day old. n Ann is convinced they were killed by the supernatural. n

Ruth Putnam The only surviving child of Ann and Thomas. n Begins acting strangely after she’s caught dancing in the woods at night. n

Tituba Reverend Parris’ black slave from Barbados. n Agrees to perform voodoo at Abigail’s request. n

Mary Warren John Proctor’s servant. n A friend of Abigail’s. n Timid; easily influenced by others. n

Betty Parris Reverend Parris’ 10 year old daughter. n Becomes ill n Is the target of accused witchcraft n

Martha Corey 3 rd wife of Giles Corey. n Is arrested for witchcraft. n Is convicted of practicing witchcraft. n

Ezekial Cheever Clerk of the court during the witch trials n Determined to seek justice n

Judge Hathorne n A judge who presides with Danforth during the witch trials.

Herrick n Marshal of Salem (guard)

Mercy Lewis Thomas Putnam’s servant. n A friend of Abigail’s. n

ADD THE FOLLOWING TO YOUR BINGO SHEET: 1692 n Salem, MA n Puritans n Theocracy n

Quiz Bonus Questions (+3 for each correct answer) What year did the Salem Witch Trials take place? n What city and state did they take place in? n What group of people was involved in the Salem Witch Trials? n What word describes a blend of church and government officials? ************************* Add one fact (that’s not already on the quiz) about any character on your quiz (+1 for each extra fact). n

The Crucible B–I–N–G–O WHO WILL SURVIVE THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS?

The Crucible – Act 1 - Who Said That? (*Important Quotes*) n n n “She hates me, uncle, she must, for I would not be her slave. It’s a bitter woman, a lying, cold, sniveling woman, and I will not work for such a woman. ” “Abby, you’ll put it out of mind. I’ll not be comin’ for you more. ” “But I must! You think it God’s work you should never lose a child, nor grandchild either, and I bury all but one? There are wheels within wheels in this village, and fires within fires. ” “I’m not sayin’ she’s touched the Devil, now, but I’d admire to know what books she reads and why she hides them. She’ll not answer me, y’ see. ” “Tituba. You must have no fear to tell us who they are, do you understand? We will protect you. The Devil can never overcome a minister. You know that, do you not? ”

The Crucible – Act 1 - Sequencing A. List these events in the order in which they occurred. • • • Abigail tries to seduce John Proctor. ______ Betty Parris is lying in bed unconscious. _____ Reverend Hale arrives in Salem. _____ Abigail says she saw Goody Booth and Goody Hawkins and Goody Sibber with the Devil. ______ John Proctor tells Abigail he is no longer interested in a relationship with her. ______ Betty leaps out of bed screaming when she hears the Lord’s name. ______ Reverend Hale questions Tituba about compacting with the Devil. _______ Giles Corey accidentally accuses his wife of compacting with the Devil. ______ Tituba admits to compacting with the Devil. ______ Proctor accuses the Putnam grandfather of stealing property. _______ B. Write a summary of Act 1 outlining the important details. (5 -7 sentences)

The Crucible, Act 2 – Who said that? (*Important Quotes*) “I made a gift for you today, Goody Proctor. ” “I never said my wife were a witch Mr. Hale; I only said she were reading strange books. ” “Mister, I myself have examined Tituba, Sarah Good and numerous others that have confessed to dealing with the devil. They have confessed it. ” “I have gone tiptoe in this house all seven month since she is gone. I have not moved from here to there without I think to please you. ” “If you think that I am one [a witch], then I say there are none. ” “You know I must do as I’m told. I have a warrant for your wife. ” “My wife is the very brick and mortar of this church … for murder she’s charged. For the marvelous and supernatural murder of Goody Putnam’s babies. ” “I have no witness and cannot prove it … but I know the children’s sickness had naught to do with witchcraft. ” “She thinks to kill me, then to take my place. ”

Act 2 – Open Ended *Cheat Sheet* (index card!) n n n Why does Abigail accuse Elizabeth of witchcraft? When Proctor recites the commandments which one does he forget? Explain why this is ironic. Reverend Hale comes to questions the Proctors at their home. Name two things he criticizes Proctor for. What does Abigail do to convince everyone that Elizabeth Proctor is a witch? How did Elizabeth find out that John and Abigail had an affair? At the end of Act 2, what does John Proctor want Mary Warren to tell the court?

Act 3 – Who said that? “You are pulling heaven down and raising up a whore!” “I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!” “Excellency, since I come to Salem this man is blackening my name…Your Excellency, this is a trick to blind the court. ” “I am thirty three time in court in my life. And always plaintiff too. ” “When we come to take his wife, he damned the court and ripped your warrant. ” “I came to think he fancied her. And so one night, I lost my wits, I think, and I put her out on the highroad. ” “The wings! Her wings are spreading! Mary please, don’t!” “And do you know the near four hundred are in jails from Marblehead to Lynn, and upon my signature. ” “I – cannot faint now, sir”

Act 3 – Open Ended *Cheat Sheet* (index card!) 1. Why do Proctor, Giles and Francis bring the signatures on ninety-one people to court? What does Danforth request happen to those people who signed? 2. Why does Proctor admit in court that he committed adultery? 3. What doesn’t Proctor back down after Danforth arranges for Elizabeth to live for a year since she claims to be pregnant? 4. What does Giles Corey accuse Putnam of doing? Explain. 5. Why do Abigail and the girls pretend to see a yellow bird on the ceiling? What is their point in doing this?

Act 4 – Who said that? “When I open my door to leave my house – a dagger clattered to the ground. ” “I will not receive a single plea for pardon or postponement. Them that will not confess will hang. ” “I come to do the Devil’s work. I come to counsel Christians that they should believe themselves. ” “It is not my soul, John, it is yours. ” “I have signed it. You have seen me. It is done! You have no need for this. ” “It were a cold house I kept…Suspicion kissed you when I did… It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery. ” “I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man. Nothing is spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before. ”

Act 4 – Open Ended *Cheat Sheet* (index card!) n Where is Abigail in Act Four? What has she done? Be specific. n Why has Reverend Hale returned to the jail? n There are four reasons that the town of Salem is in a state of ruin. List two reasons. n n n Give two reasons why Giles Corey was smart for refusing to answer the charges against him. n n n 1. 2. Describe what Proctor appears to value at the end of the play based on his final decision.