American Literature: Witch trials (The Crucible)

Arthur Miller

Puritanism + Witchcraft + McCarthyism + Arthur Miller

-originated in England during early 1600s
-believes in Predestination
-split from Church of England in 1633 -> emigrated to America

-believed in witches and witchcraft (just like Puritans)

-“entering into a compact with the devil in exchange for certain powers to do evil”
-a sin and a crime; a serious accusation, which was carefully investigated

-began in Salem, Massachusetts in early 1692

-Reverend Samuel Parris’s daughter and Abigail Williams: started having fits of convulsion, screaming, and hallucination
-doctor concluded -> witchcraft

-published a book with detailed symptoms of witchcraft
-Puritans quickly believed doctor’s diagnosis

Tituba (Parris’ slave), Sarah Good and Sarah Osborn

8 months-year

more than 150 people

27 people

19 people

1 person; Giles Corey (September 19, 1692)

How deep the belief in the supernatural ran in colonial America

the term used to describe a period of intense suspicion in the US during early 1950s

Senator Joseph McCarthy, a U.

S. senator from Wisconsin, claimed communists had infiltrated the Department of State-> special House Committee on Un-American Activities: formed to investigate allegations of communism

People from all walks of life became subjects of aggressive “witch hunts” often based on inconclusive, questionable evidence

-denied employment in both public and private sector
-example: film industry, over 300 actors, writers and directors were denied work in U.S. (Arthur Miller-> “blacklisted”)

-when CBS newsman, Edward R. Murrow, aired an investigative news report revealed McCarthy as dishonest in speeches and abusive in his interrogation of witnesses
-public was aware of how McCarthy ruined reputations of individuals through false accusations of communism

1915-2005

American Playwright and Writer

The Crucible; uses Salem witchcraft trials of 1692 to attack the anti-communist “witch hunts” of the 1950s

-witchcraft paralleled the climate of McCarthyism- Senator Joseph McCarthy’s obsessive quest to uncover communist party infiltration of American institutions

He investigated for possible associations with the communist party

He was found guilty of contempt of court because refused to share information regarding his colleagues -> later overturned

-orphaned niece of Reverend Parris who once was the mistress of John Proctor but was turned out when his wife found out
-jealous of Elizabeth Proctor and couldn’t let go of her obsession with Proctor
-leader of the girls

-Husband to Elizabeth
-had an affair with Abigail when she was employed in his house
-knows the girls are pretending but cannot tell what he knows without revealing having been alone with Abigail

-wife of John Proctor
-discovers an affair going between her husband and Abigail Williams -> throws her out of their house

-servant to Parris household from Barbados
-enlisted by Ruth Putnam and Abigail to cast spells and create charms
-once turned in by Abigail (tried saving herself) -> T confesses to all and saves herself

-pastor of the church in Salem
-father of Betty and uncle of Abigail Williams
-believes that he is being persecuted and that the townspeople do not respect his position as a man of God

-seems to feel particularly strongly that the girls are honest
-sensitive to the presence of the devil and reacts explosively to whatever evidence is presented

-daughter of Reverend, cousin to Abigail Williams
-weak girl who goes along with her cousin as soon as she is threatened

-sent between Parris and Dr. Griggs to determine the cause of Betty’s ailment
-easily guided by Abigail

-Servant to the Putnam household
-merciless girl who seems to delight in the girls’ activities

-Servant to Proctor household
-Abigail uses her to effectively accuse Elizabeth
-John takes Mary to the court to confess that the girls are only pretending
-not strong enough to stand up to Abigail and her friends-> accuses Proctor

a form of literature that is written to be performed before an audience

unveiled the downfall of a main character in a serious tone

light and often humorous

the chain of related events that make up the story

-a series of acts that are made up of scenes

the time and place of the story

individuals who participate in the action

the conversation between characters

central character of a play; deeply involved in the conflict and may change because of it

a major character who opposes the protagonist

a minor character who contrasts in personality with the protagonist

a struggle between opposing forces

the central message the writer wants to share with an audience

a list of characters presented before the action starts

-italicized instructions that identify the setting
-suggest the use of props, lighting, scenery, sound effects, and costumes
-describe who characters look, speak, move and react
-provide background information

an introduction; establishes conflict
EXAMPLE: Several girls from Salem have been playing with witchcraft in the forest with the slave Tituba. They seem to be bewitched, and accuse Tituba and several others of consorting with the devil

complications; actions that lead to the crisis
EXAMPLE: The witch hunt escalated, and several women are tried for witchcraft and hung.

EXAMPLE: between the Salem townspeople and the people accused of being witches

leads to resolution of the conflict
EXAMPLE: John Proctor upholds his innocence. There are rumors of an uprising in a nearby town. Abigail flees Salem.

EXAMPLE: The Proctors are accused of witchcraft. John confessed his adultery to his wife, and she lies to the court in order to save him

EXAMPLE: John Proctor is hanged, along with Rebecca Nurse. Because she is pregnant, Elizabeth Proctor’s life is spared.

-must bring it to life by performing it on stage (must engage enthusiasm)

-hope that they will make money

-playwrights must find an agent who submits a play to producers who would think about submitting it
-they advance money to finance a play, meet with agents who represent the playwrights, works with a playwright on changes to a play

-a director and actors “take away” a play from its author
-rehearsals=pleasant and tense
-producers seldom take risks on plays
-audience must contribute to a good performance