Transcript The Crucible by: Arthur Miller

The Crucible
by: Arthur Miller
Salem Witch Trials

Who? Puritans
 16th
and 17th 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.)
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When? 1692
Where? Salem, Massachusetts
Salem Witch Trials (continued)
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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/story.html
Interactive Activity
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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.
 Elizabeth’s husband.
 Has an affair with Abigail Williams.

Abigail Williams
Reverend Parris’ niece.
 Was once a servant for the John and
Elizabeth Proctor.
 Fired by Elizabeth for having an affair with
John.
 Smart; good liar; vindictive

(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vindictive)
Reverend John Hale
A young minister.
 Expert on witchcraft.
 Called to Salem to examine Betty.
 Christian.
 Hates witchcraft.
 Makes a decision and then regrets it.

Elizabeth Proctor
John Proctor’s wife.
 Fired Abigail.
 Virtuous but cold.

Reverend Parris
Minister of Salem’s church.
 “power hungry”
 Concerned with his position in the
community.
 Is disliked by a lot of community members.

Rebecca Nurse
Francis Nurse’s wife.
 Wise, sensible and upright.
 Accused by the Putnam’s of practicing
witchcraft.
 Refuses to confess to this crime.

Francis Nurse
Wealthy and influential in Salem.
 Well respected.
 Enemy of Thomas Putnam and his wife.

Deputy Governor Danforth
Governor of Massachusetts.
 Judge at the witch trials.
 Is convinced that he always does what is
right.

Giles Corey
An elderly farmer in Salem.
 Enjoys filing lawsuits.
 Husband of Martha Corey.
 His wife is accused of witchcraft.
 Held in contempt of court.
 Stoned to death.

Thomas Putnam
Wealthy, influential citizen of Salem.
 Does not like Francis Nurse.
 Uses the witch trials to build up his own
wealth.

 He
accuses people of witchcraft.
 Once they’re locked up, he buys their land.
Mrs. Ann Putnam
Wife of Thomas Putnam
 Has given birth to 8 children but only one
(Ruth) survived.
 All other children died before they were
one day old.
 Ann is convinced they were killed by the
supernatural.

Ruth Putnam
The only surviving child of Ann and
Thomas.
 Begins acting strangely after she’s caught
dancing in the woods at night.

Tituba
Reverend Parris’ black slave from
Barbados.
 Agrees to perform voodoo at Abigail’s
request.

Mary Warren
John Proctor’s servant.
 A friend of Abigail’s.
 Timid; easily influenced by others.
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Betty Parris
Reverend Parris’ 10 year old daughter.
 Becomes ill
 Is the target of accused witchcraft
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Martha Corey
3rd wife of Giles Corey.
 Is arrested for witchcraft.
 Is convicted of practicing witchcraft.
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Ezekial Cheever
Clerk of the court during the witch trials
 Determined to seek justice

Judge Hathorne

A judge who presides with Danforth during
the witch trials.
Herrick

Marshal of Salem (guard)
Mercy Lewis
Thomas Putnam’s servant.
 A friend of Abigail’s.
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ADD THE FOLLOWING TO YOUR
BINGO SHEET:
1692
 Salem, MA
 Puritans
 Theocracy
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Quiz Bonus Questions
(+3 for each correct answer)
What year did the Salem Witch Trials take place?
 What city and state did they take place in?
 What group of people was involved in the Salem
Witch Trials?
 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).

The Crucible
B–I–N–G–O
WHO WILL
SURVIVE THE
SALEM WITCH
TRIALS?
The Crucible – Act 1 - Who Said That?
(*Important Quotes*)
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“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.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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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!)
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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, 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!)
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Where is Abigail in Act Four? What has she done?
Be specific.
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Why has Reverend Hale returned to the jail?
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There are four reasons that the town of Salem is in a
state of ruin. List two reasons.
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Give two reasons why Giles Corey was smart for
refusing to answer the charges against him.
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1.
2.
1.
2.
Describe what Proctor appears to value at the end
of the play based on his final decision.