The Crucible
Salem Witch Trials
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We watched a video yesterday speculating
on the causes of the accusations that
existed during the witch trials.
Arthur Miller wrote a play in which he
fictionalized the trials and added his own
interpretation of what may have caused
some of the accusations.
The Crucible
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During 1692, The Salem Witch Trials occurred
in New England. Many were accused of
witchcraft.
Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible in 1953 about
the witch trials. He wrote the play during a time
of unrest in America during anti-communist
“witch hunts.”
The term “witch-hunt” refers to whenever a
person decides to target another person for
reasons which may, or may not, be obvious.
The Crucible
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Even though the Puritans did believe in
witches and goblins during the Salem
Witch Trials, their fear of the Indians
fueled the fear. Also, there were false
accusations made to meet a political
agenda. This is why Arthur Miller wrote
The Crucible in the 1950’s - he compared
the accusations that were being made then
to those made during the Salem Witch
trials.
Intro to The Crucible
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1. 1692
2. 6 months
3. 150
4. 23
5. young girls
6. an apparition would come to you in the
night telling you to sign the Devil’s book
Intro to The Crucible
7. The Indians and Indian War
 8. main frontier
 9. He was a minister who didn’t baptize
his children and who disagreed with the
war. Accusations were made against him,
and he was hanged.
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Intro to The Crucible
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10. They were not hanged like today’s
executions, so they suffocated or were
strangled to death.
11. His death was by means of death by
weight or crushing.
12. His last words were “more weight.”
Intro to The Crucible
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13. If one were accused of being a witch, the land
that was left would be seized by the government.
False accusations were made so land could be
seized.
14. Lack of sunlight could cause hysteria in the
girls due to a chemical imbalance.
15. During a wet growing season, ergot may have
grown in the rye and can survive the baking
process; this may have made the girls sick.
Intro to The Crucible
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16. Once a few girls became sick, the fear of
Indians and witches, allowed the belief that
they were “bewitched” to spread just by
suggestion. This was shown and proven in
the video that people can believe in things
based on suggestion.
Intro to The Crucible
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Most likely explanation of the Salem Witch Trials:
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Some girls became sick from something like ergot
poisoning
The Puritans already were fearful of the Indians and
Indian war
This fear of the Indians and the girls’ sickness
escalated their fear of witchcraft
The Magistrates twisted the girls’ testimonies
The judges allowed the accusation to continue to suit
their political needs
The Crucible - DO NOW
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The word crucible comes from the Latin
word for “cross.” A crucible is any pot
made of material strong enough to
withstand the intense heat necessary to
melt down metals. Crucible also means “a
severe trial or test.”
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What test or trial have you had to go through
that is your “crucible?”
The Crucible, Act One guided reading
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1. Who are Reverend Parris, Betty, and
Abigail? What is their relationship?
2. Who is Tituba? What is her relationship to
the family?
3. What is wrong with Betty? Describe her
behavior?
4. What is Reverend Parris more concerned
about-his daughter or his reputation? How
do you know?
The Crucible, Act One guided reading
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5. About what is Reverend Parris worried that
has happened concerning Abigail’s actions?
6. Who are Ann and Thomas Putnum? What do
they suggest is Betty’s problem? What is their
motivation for suggesting this?
7. Who is Ruth? What is wrong with her? How
do the Putnums tie her problem to Betty?
The Crucible, Act One guided reading
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What is the suspected cause of Betty’s illness?
(1241)
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When the girls are alone, what do they discuss
about the night before?
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What does Betty think they should do?
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What is Abigail’s reaction?
The Crucible, Act One
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1. Reverend Parris is the minister of the
village. He is Betty’s father and Abigail’s
uncle. Abigail lives with them.
2. Tituba is the servant from Barbados for
the Parris family. She is very close to Betty.
3. Betty is in bed pretending to be sick. She
is unresponsive and seems to be sleeping.
The Crucible, Act One
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4. The doctor can’t find a medical reason
for Betty’s behavior.
5. The Putnams are neighbors who have a
sick daughter, Ruth. They suggest Betty is
witched because Tom Putnam is angry his
brother in law didn’t become minister.
6. He worries that she has jeopardized his
position as minister.
The Crucible, Act One (continued)
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(New Packet)
1. The girls were in the forest dancing. They
were with Tituba who made a potion and
Abigail wished that Proctor’s wife would
die. Some drank blood.
The Crucible, Act One
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2. She says she will bring a pointy
reckoning in the dark night. This reveals
she is manipulative, violent, and a bully.
3. Proctor is handsome, upstanding in the
community, and strong. He speaks the
truth and calls out others who are false.
The Crucible, Act One
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4. Abigail and John had an affair.
5. She said Elizabeth told lies about her
and called her a cold, sniveling woman.
6. Francis Nurse was in a land battle with
Putnam. The Nurses also prevented
Putnam’s brother in law from becoming
minister.
The Crucible, Act One
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7. Rebecca says Betty is playing and will
come around when she bores of this
game.
8. Parris only speaks about hell and
damnation during his sermons. They also
say he is only concerned about money and
the deed to his house.
The Crucible, Act One
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9. Putnam’s father left the largest portion
of land to the stepbrother and was denied
when he tried to break the will. He might
make a false accusation.
10. Giles is old, new to religion, and
grumpy.
11. Reverend Hale is educated and takes
his role as demonologist very seriously.
The Crucible, Act One
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12. Hale fires questions at Tituba and
makes her nervous. During the
conversation, Tituba realizes that to save
herself, she must accuse others.
13. The girls join in on the accusations
when they see Tituba is not in trouble. The
girls are motivated by their involvement in
dancing in the woods and want to get out of
trouble. Eleven are accused.