What evil spirit have you familiarity with?None.

Have you made no contract with the devil?No.

Why do you hurt these children?I do not hurt them. I scorn it.

Who do you imploy then to do it?I imploy no body.

What creature do you imploy then?No creature. I am falsely accused.

* 1953•based on actual facts;•terrifying depiction of how the accusations of a group of children stirred up such fear in their small community that it led to persecution and hangings

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

In 1692, 19 men and women were hanged for witch craft.

One man named Giles Corey was pressed to death under a huge boulder because he refused to stand trial.

Most people were hanged on Gallows Hill in 1692.

Some more people died in prison waiting for trial.

In 1692, 19 men and women were hanged for witch craft.

One man named Giles Corey was pressed to death under a huge boulder because he refused to stand trial.

Most people were hanged on Gallows Hill in 1692.

Some more people died in prison waiting for trial.

HOW IT ALL STARTED…HOW IT ALL STARTED…

A small girl fell sick in 1692. Her “fitts”—convulsions, contortions, and outbursts of gibberish—baffled everyone. Other girls soon manifested the same symptoms. Their doctor could suggest but one cause. Witchcraft.

A small girl fell sick in 1692. Her “fitts”—convulsions, contortions, and outbursts of gibberish—baffled everyone. Other girls soon manifested the same symptoms. Their doctor could suggest but one cause. Witchcraft.

The beginningThe beginning

the Puritans of New England scoured their souls—and those of their neighbors—for even the faintest stains. These stern, godly folk were ready to stare down that roaring lion till Judgment Day saw him vanquished.

the Puritans of New England scoured their souls—and those of their neighbors—for even the faintest stains. These stern, godly folk were ready to stare down that roaring lion till Judgment Day saw him vanquished.

SALEMSALEM

Salem was divided into a prosperous town—second only to Boston—and a farming village. The two bickered again and again. The villagers, in turn, were split into factions that fiercely debated whether to seek ecclesiastical and political independence from the town.

Salem was divided into a prosperous town—second only to Boston—and a farming village. The two bickered again and again. The villagers, in turn, were split into factions that fiercely debated whether to seek ecclesiastical and political independence from the town.

LIFE in SalemLIFE in Salem

The events of 1692 took place during a difficult and confusing period for Salem Village.

Salem was under British rule and was awaiting a new governor, but by the time the governor William Phips arrived the jails were filled with alleged witches.

The events of 1692 took place during a difficult and confusing period for Salem Village.

Salem was under British rule and was awaiting a new governor, but by the time the governor William Phips arrived the jails were filled with alleged witches.

In 1689 the villagers won the right to establish their own church and chose the Reverend Samuel Parris, a former merchant, as their minister. His rigid ways and seemingly boundless demands for compensation—including personal title to the village parsonage—increased the friction.

Many villagers vowed to drive Parris out, and they stopped contributing to his salary in October 1691.

In 1689 the villagers won the right to establish their own church and chose the Reverend Samuel Parris, a former merchant, as their minister. His rigid ways and seemingly boundless demands for compensation—including personal title to the village parsonage—increased the friction.

Many villagers vowed to drive Parris out, and they stopped contributing to his salary in October 1691.

Seeking release from the tension choking their family, Parris’s nine-year-old daughter, Betty, and her cousin Abigail Williams delighted in the mesmerizing tales spun by Tituba, a slave from Barbados. The girls invited several friends to share this delicious, forbidden diversion. Tituba’s audience listened intently as she talked of telling the future.

Seeking release from the tension choking their family, Parris’s nine-year-old daughter, Betty, and her cousin Abigail Williams delighted in the mesmerizing tales spun by Tituba, a slave from Barbados. The girls invited several friends to share this delicious, forbidden diversion. Tituba’s audience listened intently as she talked of telling the future.

in February 1692 Betty Parris began having “fitts” that defied all explanation. So did Abigail Williams and the girls’ friend Ann Putnam. Doctors and ministers watched in horror as the girls contorted themselves, cowered under chairs, and shouted nonsense. The girls’ agonies “could not possibly be Dissembled,” declared the Reverend Cotton Mather, one of the brightest stars in the Massachusetts firmament.

in February 1692 Betty Parris began having “fitts” that defied all explanation. So did Abigail Williams and the girls’ friend Ann Putnam. Doctors and ministers watched in horror as the girls contorted themselves, cowered under chairs, and shouted nonsense. The girls’ agonies “could not possibly be Dissembled,” declared the Reverend Cotton Mather, one of the brightest stars in the Massachusetts firmament.

Lacking a natural explanation, the Puritans turned to the supernatural—the girls were bewitched.

Prodded by Parris and others, they named their tormentors: a disheveled beggar named Sarah Good, the elderly Sarah Osburn, and Tituba herself. Each woman was something of a misfit. Osburn claimed innocence. Good did likewise but fingered Osburn. Tituba, recollection refreshed by Parris’s lash, confessed—and then some.

Lacking a natural explanation, the Puritans turned to the supernatural—the girls were bewitched.

Prodded by Parris and others, they named their tormentors: a disheveled beggar named Sarah Good, the elderly Sarah Osburn, and Tituba herself. Each woman was something of a misfit. Osburn claimed innocence. Good did likewise but fingered Osburn. Tituba, recollection refreshed by Parris’s lash, confessed—and then some.

The HANGINGSThe HANGINGS

Beliefs About WitchesBeliefs About Witches

Under British law, the basis for Massachusetts Bay Colony legal structure in the 17th century, those who were accused of consorting with the devil were considered felons, having committed a crime against their government. The punishment for such a crime was hanging.

Under British law, the basis for Massachusetts Bay Colony legal structure in the 17th century, those who were accused of consorting with the devil were considered felons, having committed a crime against their government. The punishment for such a crime was hanging.

Afflicted or AccusedAfflicted or Accused

The "afflicted" were those supposedly "possessed" and "tormented"; it was they who accused or "cried out" the names of those who were supposedly possessing them.

The "afflicted" were those supposedly "possessed" and "tormented"; it was they who accused or "cried out" the names of those who were supposedly possessing them.

PURITANSPURITANS

Strong feelings for democracy Ethusiasm for education Fervor for social reform Aware that financial gain is not a

sufficient goal to have in life

Strong feelings for democracy Ethusiasm for education Fervor for social reform Aware that financial gain is not a

sufficient goal to have in life

PURITANSPURITANS

Church Church was the cornerstone of 17th

century life in New England. Most of the people in Massachusetts

were Puritans and it was against the law not to attend church.

Church took long hours where men and women sat on opposite sides of the room.

Church Church was the cornerstone of 17th

century life in New England. Most of the people in Massachusetts

were Puritans and it was against the law not to attend church.

Church took long hours where men and women sat on opposite sides of the room.

ClergyClergy Powerful temporal as well as

spiritual force Civil Powers began to decline and

many felt the need to reassert their warning authority

Powerful temporal as well as spiritual force

Civil Powers began to decline and many felt the need to reassert their warning authority

Reverend Parris Reverend Parris

StatesHe has “fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me”

StatesHe has “fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me”

PURITANSPURITANS

Puritans believed that God was as real as the Devil.

They believed that God would punish people for their sins. So if somebody had a sick child or bad crops they would not help them at all.

They saw the bad misfortune as God’s will and would not help.

Puritans believed that God was as real as the Devil.

They believed that God would punish people for their sins. So if somebody had a sick child or bad crops they would not help them at all.

They saw the bad misfortune as God’s will and would not help.

PURITANSPURITANS

If you didn’t conform, you made a covenant with the devil!

The puritans really had a fear of the unknown too! Unknown American wilderness Strangeness of native inhabitants

If you didn’t conform, you made a covenant with the devil!

The puritans really had a fear of the unknown too! Unknown American wilderness Strangeness of native inhabitants

Miller’s depiction of Puritans:

Miller’s depiction of Puritans:

Strict Self-righteous and inflexible Judgmental and unyielding attitude

toward anyone different

Strict Self-righteous and inflexible Judgmental and unyielding attitude

toward anyone different

He also suggests:He also suggests:

That Puritans were preverse and only knew PERSECUTION

They did not practice what they preached

They practiced what they knew They forced beliefs upon any

person who was not schooled in their religion!

That Puritans were preverse and only knew PERSECUTION

They did not practice what they preached

They practiced what they knew They forced beliefs upon any

person who was not schooled in their religion!

Miller’s Views:Psychological reasons

for “witch hunts”

Miller’s Views:Psychological reasons

for “witch hunts”

1.) Backlash of repression that occurs when too much freedom threatens a state that has had control

1.) Backlash of repression that occurs when too much freedom threatens a state that has had control

2.) Opportunity to seek vengeance on neighbors for former wrongs

3.) Opportunity to vent secret guilt

2.) Opportunity to seek vengeance on neighbors for former wrongs

3.) Opportunity to vent secret guilt

About the Playwright:Arthur Miller

Arthur Aster Miller was born on October 17, 1915.

Miller was born in New York City into a Jewish family.

Miller and his family moved to Brooklyn in 1929, because his father’s business failed.

Miller graduated from high school but quit college after only two weeks.

Arthur Aster Miller was born on October 17, 1915.

Miller was born in New York City into a Jewish family.

Miller and his family moved to Brooklyn in 1929, because his father’s business failed.

Miller graduated from high school but quit college after only two weeks.

Miller worked a variety of jobs until 1934 when he was accepted into the University of Michigan where he studied journalism.

In 1936 he changed his major to English when he won a Hopwood award in Drama for his play, No Villain.

Several of his plays were performed in Ann Arbor and Detroit, MI before his graduation in 1938.

Miller worked a variety of jobs until 1934 when he was accepted into the University of Michigan where he studied journalism.

In 1936 he changed his major to English when he won a Hopwood award in Drama for his play, No Villain.

Several of his plays were performed in Ann Arbor and Detroit, MI before his graduation in 1938.

In 1940 Miller married Mary Grace Slattery.

In 1944 his first child Jane was born. Then in 1947 his son Robert was born. In 1956, he divorced Slattery and married

Marilyn Monroe. In 1961, he divorced Marilyn Monroe. He remarried the next year to Inge

Morath and had their daughter Rebecca in 1963.

In 1940 Miller married Mary Grace Slattery.

In 1944 his first child Jane was born. Then in 1947 his son Robert was born. In 1956, he divorced Slattery and married

Marilyn Monroe. In 1961, he divorced Marilyn Monroe. He remarried the next year to Inge

Morath and had their daughter Rebecca in 1963.

MILLER in the 40sMILLER in the 40s

In 1947 his play All My Sons premiered. He also went to work for minimum wage assembling boxes.

In 1948 he wrote Death of a Salesman, and it premiered the next year winning many awards.

Death of a Salesman is probably his most famous play to date.

In 1947 his play All My Sons premiered. He also went to work for minimum wage assembling boxes.

In 1948 he wrote Death of a Salesman, and it premiered the next year winning many awards.

Death of a Salesman is probably his most famous play to date.

Miller wrote The Crucible in 1953. The Crucible told of the witch trials in

Salem, Massachusetts It was seen as a metaphor for his views

on contemporary McCarthyite red-baiting.

After that, he wrote; A View from the Bridge, After the Fall, The Misfits, and The American Clock.

Miller wrote The Crucible in 1953. The Crucible told of the witch trials in

Salem, Massachusetts It was seen as a metaphor for his views

on contemporary McCarthyite red-baiting.

After that, he wrote; A View from the Bridge, After the Fall, The Misfits, and The American Clock.

At age 89 in 2004, Miller debuted yet another work, Finishing the Picture, at New York’s Goodman Theater.

Arthur Aster Miller died on February 10, 2005 of congestive heart failure at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut.

At age 89 in 2004, Miller debuted yet another work, Finishing the Picture, at New York’s Goodman Theater.

Arthur Aster Miller died on February 10, 2005 of congestive heart failure at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut.

Studying the NovelStudying the Novel

POINT OF VIEW third person objective point of

view. The characters do not address the

audience in the first person.

POINT OF VIEW third person objective point of

view. The characters do not address the

audience in the first person.

RealismRealism

It refers to specific time and place, which correspond to real historical times, and places.

It also refers to real historical issues and themes.

It refers to specific time and place, which correspond to real historical times, and places.

It also refers to real historical issues and themes.

RealismRealism

extends the application of its themes beyond the limits of its specific historical time and place.

Miller's play has a specific 17th century and a specific 20th century allusion and also a more general significance.

extends the application of its themes beyond the limits of its specific historical time and place.

Miller's play has a specific 17th century and a specific 20th century allusion and also a more general significance.

Post-World War II AmericaPost-World War II America

Cold War anxieties about Russia and Communism

Reactionary movement away from liberalism

Public denunciation of one's own or others' radicalism

Cold War anxieties about Russia and Communism

Reactionary movement away from liberalism

Public denunciation of one's own or others' radicalism

Miller: "When the McCarthy period started... what we were going through was a kind of a ritual which had almost a religious overtone.... the people that they were accusing of being un-American or treasonous either hadn't been, or what they had really believed in was a common belief only seven or eight years before this...."

Miller: "When the McCarthy period started... what we were going through was a kind of a ritual which had almost a religious overtone.... the people that they were accusing of being un-American or treasonous either hadn't been, or what they had really believed in was a common belief only seven or eight years before this...."

McCarthyMcCarthy

Conspiracy theories Righteous accusations: private

vengeance and public justice Mass hysteria

Conspiracy theories Righteous accusations: private

vengeance and public justice Mass hysteria

Miller's involvementMiller's involvement

MR ARENS: "Tell us, if you please, sir, about those meetings with the Communist party writers which you said you attended in New York City. . . Can you tell us who was there when you walked into the room?"

MR ARENS: "Tell us, if you please, sir, about those meetings with the Communist party writers which you said you attended in New York City. . . Can you tell us who was there when you walked into the room?"

Mr. MillerMr. Miller

"Mr. Chairman, I understand the philosophy behind this question and I want you to understand mine. When I say this, I want you to understand that I am not protecting the Communists or the Communist Party. I am trying to, and I will, protect my sense of myself. I could not use the name of another person and bring trouble on him . . . I take the responsibility for everything I have ever done, but I cannot take responsibility for another human being."

"Mr. Chairman, I understand the philosophy behind this question and I want you to understand mine. When I say this, I want you to understand that I am not protecting the Communists or the Communist Party. I am trying to, and I will, protect my sense of myself. I could not use the name of another person and bring trouble on him . . . I take the responsibility for everything I have ever done, but I cannot take responsibility for another human being."

PlotPlot

Act I: Tituba and Abigail start the process of confession/accusation.

Act 2: Abigail's plan to have Elizabeth Proctor arrested for witchcraft succeeds.

Act 3:Proctor and Giles Cory are thwarted in their attempts to rescue their respective wives.

Act 4: Proctor's struggle with his conscience and with injustice leads him to choose death, a choice finally endorsed by Elizabeth.

Act I: Tituba and Abigail start the process of confession/accusation.

Act 2: Abigail's plan to have Elizabeth Proctor arrested for witchcraft succeeds.

Act 3:Proctor and Giles Cory are thwarted in their attempts to rescue their respective wives.

Act 4: Proctor's struggle with his conscience and with injustice leads him to choose death, a choice finally endorsed by Elizabeth.

ExpositionExposition

Act I Situation introduced Girls in forest - dancing initial incident is the actual

accusing of the women of witchcraft by the several girls that were in the forest.

Act I Situation introduced Girls in forest - dancing initial incident is the actual

accusing of the women of witchcraft by the several girls that were in the forest.

TheocracyTheocracy

Rule by God through religious officials

Moral laws and state laws are = Sin and the status of one’s soul is

public Public will punish for individual

private sin (punishment is public)

Rule by God through religious officials

Moral laws and state laws are = Sin and the status of one’s soul is

public Public will punish for individual

private sin (punishment is public)

Act IAct I

Paris’ position established Witchcraft rumors Reverend Hale called Abigail’s reputation questioned Putnam’s problems revealed

Thomas - grudges Ann- involvement with Tituba

Paris’ position established Witchcraft rumors Reverend Hale called Abigail’s reputation questioned Putnam’s problems revealed

Thomas - grudges Ann- involvement with Tituba

Act IAct I

Servants - Mercy Lewis Mary Warren FEAR EXPOSED Abigail lies - wakes betty Abigail’s threats

Servants - Mercy Lewis Mary Warren FEAR EXPOSED Abigail lies - wakes betty Abigail’s threats

Act IAct I

Proctor’s believes all to be foolish; seems to be uneasy; scolds servant; affirms the end of relationship with abigail; threatens her

Rebecca & Francis Nurse - respected Francis and Thomas dispute

mentioned Fearful of disputes to come from withcraft

talk Giles Corey- dispute over money

Proctor’s believes all to be foolish; seems to be uneasy; scolds servant; affirms the end of relationship with abigail; threatens her

Rebecca & Francis Nurse - respected Francis and Thomas dispute

mentioned Fearful of disputes to come from withcraft

talk Giles Corey- dispute over money

Act IAct I

Hale- Questions Parris, Corey, and Abigail

Abigail accuses Tituba Putnam starts list and Tituba

accuses Sarah Good and Goody Osburn

Abigail and Betty add to list

Hale- Questions Parris, Corey, and Abigail

Abigail accuses Tituba Putnam starts list and Tituba

accuses Sarah Good and Goody Osburn

Abigail and Betty add to list

Important PointsImportant Points

Interpersonal feuds Religious offices Sexual behavior Paranoia Supernatural forces Importance of reputation Guilt by association

Interpersonal feuds Religious offices Sexual behavior Paranoia Supernatural forces Importance of reputation Guilt by association

Important PointsImportant Points

Role of Girls Hypocrisy Jealousy and resentment No one accepts personal responsibility-

“The devil made me do it!” They pass the guilt Confess truthful, repressed feelings

Role of Girls Hypocrisy Jealousy and resentment No one accepts personal responsibility-

“The devil made me do it!” They pass the guilt Confess truthful, repressed feelings

Rising Action & ClimaxRising Action & Climax

Witch hunt the accusing of the Proctors of

witchcraft. They try to get their servant to confess what she did in the forest with the other girls, but when they come into court, she turns her back on Proctor and returns to the side of the girls. The tension continues until the trial and the speeches made before the execution.

Witch hunt the accusing of the Proctors of

witchcraft. They try to get their servant to confess what she did in the forest with the other girls, but when they come into court, she turns her back on Proctor and returns to the side of the girls. The tension continues until the trial and the speeches made before the execution.

falling action and the denouement

falling action and the denouement

the actual execution where John Proctor upholds his innocence and goes to the gallows

the actual execution where John Proctor upholds his innocence and goes to the gallows

Drama as ConflictDrama as Conflict

Drama may be described as a confrontation between two opposed forces which is resolved only with the destruction of that for which empathy may be felt, a character and/or a set of values.

Drama may be described as a confrontation between two opposed forces which is resolved only with the destruction of that for which empathy may be felt, a character and/or a set of values.

Varieties of Conflict in the Play

Varieties of Conflict in the Play

Religious Oppositions God versus Satan; Good versus evil.

Theocratic Oppositions The Judges versus the `witches'; The accusers versus the accused; The innocent versus the guilty; Earthly justice versus Heavenly justice.

.

Religious Oppositions God versus Satan; Good versus evil.

Theocratic Oppositions The Judges versus the `witches'; The accusers versus the accused; The innocent versus the guilty; Earthly justice versus Heavenly justice.

.

ConflictsConflicts

Secular Oppositions The Putnams versus the town; Mrs Putnam versus Rebecca Nurse; Abigail (and her girls) versus society; Abigail versus Elizabeth/John Proctor.

Secular Oppositions The Putnams versus the town; Mrs Putnam versus Rebecca Nurse; Abigail (and her girls) versus society; Abigail versus Elizabeth/John Proctor.

ConflictsConflicts

Conflicts involving Proctor Proctor versus Abigail: his affections; Proctor versus Elizabeth: his loyalty/their marriage; Proctor versus Hale: his Christianity; Proctor versus Mary Warren: her testimony; Proctor versus Danforth: his confession/his life; John Proctor's life versus his soul: his salvation

Conflicts involving Proctor Proctor versus Abigail: his affections; Proctor versus Elizabeth: his loyalty/their marriage; Proctor versus Hale: his Christianity; Proctor versus Mary Warren: her testimony; Proctor versus Danforth: his confession/his life; John Proctor's life versus his soul: his salvation

Reverend ParrisReverend Parris

in his middle forties widower and has a daughter named

Betty who is ten years old. Abigail Williams’ uncle. His function in the play is to bring out

the hatred and frenzy in the townspeople.

He does not have many real friends in the village.

in his middle forties widower and has a daughter named

Betty who is ten years old. Abigail Williams’ uncle. His function in the play is to bring out

the hatred and frenzy in the townspeople.

He does not have many real friends in the village.

Reverend ParrisReverend Parris

Parris is gullible, uncaring, and villainous.

He cares more about his reputation than truth.

He says, “They’ve come to overthrow the court, sir!” This shows his susceptibility to the lies of the girls and his fervor to get the accused executed.

Parris is gullible, uncaring, and villainous.

He cares more about his reputation than truth.

He says, “They’ve come to overthrow the court, sir!” This shows his susceptibility to the lies of the girls and his fervor to get the accused executed.

ParrisParris

Passive Knows information and withholds

information during act I He is not respected by Act III He shows fear Concerned with material

possessions

Passive Knows information and withholds

information during act I He is not respected by Act III He shows fear Concerned with material

possessions

Thomas PutnamThomas Putnam

Vidictive Deeply embittered and resentful

man who feels his own reputation has been sullied

Ill will between putnam and nurse family

Dispute with Proctor over ownership of land

Vidictive Deeply embittered and resentful

man who feels his own reputation has been sullied

Ill will between putnam and nurse family

Dispute with Proctor over ownership of land

Ann PutnamAnn Putnam

Laid 7 children in earth She arouses audience sympathy

initially Her grief allows her to charge

Rebecca Nurse Becomes a party to the villainy

Laid 7 children in earth She arouses audience sympathy

initially Her grief allows her to charge

Rebecca Nurse Becomes a party to the villainy

DanforthDanforth

Intelligent Perceptive Strong-willed He will not change Has the power, but does not want

to lose face

Intelligent Perceptive Strong-willed He will not change Has the power, but does not want

to lose face

John ProctorJohn Proctor

a farmer in his middle thirties He has a wife and two sons. His function in the play is to be an

example of a sinner who is able to accept and confess of his sin to do good.

He refuses to confess to witchcraft when doing so would have saved his life.

a farmer in his middle thirties He has a wife and two sons. His function in the play is to be an

example of a sinner who is able to accept and confess of his sin to do good.

He refuses to confess to witchcraft when doing so would have saved his life.

John ProctorJohn Proctor

Self- aware “the puritans not only felt, but

constantly referred his feelings to concepts, to codes and ideas of social and ethical importance”

Rebecca Nurse and Giles important to Proctor and his decision

Self- aware “the puritans not only felt, but

constantly referred his feelings to concepts, to codes and ideas of social and ethical importance”

Rebecca Nurse and Giles important to Proctor and his decision

Distortion of Proctor:Distortion of Proctor:

age 60—> 35 leader of opposition = “basically Proctor’s

story” (AM) tragic flaw: lust, being sexual with Abigail execution delayed from Aug. to Sept (play) motivation in opposing trials: in reality his son

Wm. Proctor was tortured (not to defend the wife he has wronged & whose life he has placed in jeopardy through alleged affair with Abigail)

age 60—> 35 leader of opposition = “basically Proctor’s

story” (AM) tragic flaw: lust, being sexual with Abigail execution delayed from Aug. to Sept (play) motivation in opposing trials: in reality his son

Wm. Proctor was tortured (not to defend the wife he has wronged & whose life he has placed in jeopardy through alleged affair with Abigail)

ElizabethElizabeth

A wronged wife Does not believe in withces Astute judge of character Homemaker Will risk damnation of her immortal

soul by lying to protect her husband

A wronged wife Does not believe in withces Astute judge of character Homemaker Will risk damnation of her immortal

soul by lying to protect her husband

ElizabethElizabeth

Confesses to a sense of some responsibility for her husband’s transgressions

She comes to know herself She recognizes and understands

her husband’s motivation in the end

Confesses to a sense of some responsibility for her husband’s transgressions

She comes to know herself She recognizes and understands

her husband’s motivation in the end

HaleHale

Intellectual Scholarly minister burdened by books He recognizes the falsity of his actions He recognizes his part in the

occurrences Guilty; repentant; takes action

“he grieves among them that will be hanged”

Intellectual Scholarly minister burdened by books He recognizes the falsity of his actions He recognizes his part in the

occurrences Guilty; repentant; takes action

“he grieves among them that will be hanged”

Abigail WilliamsAbigail Williams

Is an orphan; lives with her uncle; 17 serves the purpose to start the plot and

keep it moving Introduces the idea of witches in the

village to the townspeople, and keeps it moving by constantly accusing more women and plays upon the fears of the townspeople.

cunning, conniving, and deceitful

Is an orphan; lives with her uncle; 17 serves the purpose to start the plot and

keep it moving Introduces the idea of witches in the

village to the townspeople, and keeps it moving by constantly accusing more women and plays upon the fears of the townspeople.

cunning, conniving, and deceitful

Distortion of AbigailDistortion of Abigail

age 11—> 17 clearly a fraud and a slut, sexually promiscuous dancing in woods, practicing voodoo affair with John Proctor saw parents massacred by Indians in their bed

runs off with her uncle’s money before trials are

over prostitute in Boston

age 11—> 17 clearly a fraud and a slut, sexually promiscuous dancing in woods, practicing voodoo affair with John Proctor saw parents massacred by Indians in their bed

runs off with her uncle’s money before trials are

over prostitute in Boston

TitubaTituba

was at the center of the group of girls practicing a variant of voodoo derived from African folklore

beyond her confession there is no evidence that she ever took part in occult activities and no proof of girls dancing in woods or drinking blood or sticking pins in dolls;

was at the center of the group of girls practicing a variant of voodoo derived from African folklore

beyond her confession there is no evidence that she ever took part in occult activities and no proof of girls dancing in woods or drinking blood or sticking pins in dolls;

TitubaTituba

“a slave originating from the West Indies and probably practicing ‘hoodoo’”

the domesticated outsider who rejects Puritan society and its cold values: “Oh, it be no Hell in Barbados. Devil, him be pleasureman in Barbados, him be singin’ and dancin’ in Barbados. It’s you folks—you riles him up ‘round here; it be too cold ‘round here for that Old Boy. He freeze his soul in Massachusetts [...]”

“a slave originating from the West Indies and probably practicing ‘hoodoo’”

the domesticated outsider who rejects Puritan society and its cold values: “Oh, it be no Hell in Barbados. Devil, him be pleasureman in Barbados, him be singin’ and dancin’ in Barbados. It’s you folks—you riles him up ‘round here; it be too cold ‘round here for that Old Boy. He freeze his soul in Massachusetts [...]”

Tituba’s importanceTituba’s importance

confession created model for resistance through manipulation of Puritan fears: Puritans were predisposed to believe that

Indians worshipped the Devil- Tituba supplied proof of diabolical conspiracy in Massachusetts = framework for witch trials

confession created model for resistance through manipulation of Puritan fears: Puritans were predisposed to believe that

Indians worshipped the Devil- Tituba supplied proof of diabolical conspiracy in Massachusetts = framework for witch trials

Accepted WisdomAccepted Wisdom

Tituba was at the center of the group of girls practicing a variant of voodoo derived from African folklore but beyond her confession there is no evidence that she ever took part in occult activities and no proof of girls dancing in woods or drinking blood or sticking pins in dolls

Tituba was at the center of the group of girls practicing a variant of voodoo derived from African folklore but beyond her confession there is no evidence that she ever took part in occult activities and no proof of girls dancing in woods or drinking blood or sticking pins in dolls

DistortionsDistortions

Sarah Good: confesses in play & not hanged Elizabeth Proctor: managed an inn—> farmer’s wife

alone at home Ann & Thos. Putnam: older; motivation = power of

choosing minister, pride Ann Putnam, jr. = Ruth Putnam Giles Corey: death = put before Proctor’s John Hale: in reality, scepticism came later = when his

own wife was accused honorifics: confuses Goody with Missus

Sarah Good: confesses in play & not hanged Elizabeth Proctor: managed an inn—> farmer’s wife

alone at home Ann & Thos. Putnam: older; motivation = power of

choosing minister, pride Ann Putnam, jr. = Ruth Putnam Giles Corey: death = put before Proctor’s John Hale: in reality, scepticism came later = when his

own wife was accused honorifics: confuses Goody with Missus