Background of The Crucible

• The Crucible is set during the Salem witch trials of 1692.

Salem Village

• Location: Salem, Massachusetts

• Time Period: Circa 1760s

Economic & Social Divisions

• Salem Village:

  • Primarily poor farmers

• Salem Town:

  • Wealthy merchants, prosperous port town

• Salem Village sought independence from Salem Town but relied on it for food and taxes.

Defining Puritans

• Origin of the Term:

  • Initially used as an insult by traditional Anglicans.

• Separating Puritans:

  • Believed the Church of England was corrupt and advocated separation.

• Non-Separating Puritans:

  • Supported reform from within the Church of England.

Puritan Beliefs

• Predestination:

  • The belief that God chooses who will receive salvation.

• Gift of God’s Grace:

  • Salvation is granted without the need for belief or good works.

• Works-Based Election:

  • Contrarily, some viewed election as contingent on an individual’s works.

Focus on Behavior

• Puritans aimed to honor God through devout behavior despite belief in predestination.

• They believed in sanctification, where true salvation displayed through holy behavior led to spiritual pride.

Puritan Laws and Punishments

• Mandatory church attendance; punishments for various sins.

• Gender divisions in religious observance; men and women attended separate sides of the church.

• Misfortunes interpreted as divine punishment.

Rules for Puritan Children

• Children were subject to the same rules as adults; required to fulfill chores and repress emotions.

• Disobedience was harshly punished; children rarely played as toys were considered sinful distractions.

• Boys could be apprentices, but children faced strict upbringing focusing on piety.

Education in Puritan Society

• Most children learned to read using mostly religious texts including the Bible.

• Literature focused predominantly on morality, warning against sinful behavior.

Economic & Social Divisions Continued

• Salem Town relied on the agriculture of Salem Village but growth in the town was perceived to threaten Puritan values.

• The election of Rev. Parris as minister signified increasing tension due to worldly influences.

Causes of Hysteria Outbreak

• Links between witchcraft and natural events fostered hysteria.

• Strife and disease within society contributed to fears.

• Influences included Tituba's spells, boredom among the girls, and existing neighborhood feuds.

McCarthyism Overview

• 1940s & 1950s America faced fears of communism.

• Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible paralleling the Red Scare led by Senator Joseph McCarthy who falsely accused many of being communists.

Impact of McCarthyism

• Artists faced significant consequences: censorship, loss of livelihood, and imprisonment.

Salem Witch Trials Explained

• A series of trials questioning the presence of witchcraft and the ensuing hysteria.

• Raises questions about social dynamics and mass panic in society.

Famous Quote

• "O Christian Martyr Who for Truth could die..." - John Greenleaf Whittier in memory of Rebecca Nurse.

Timeline of the Trials

• From June to September 1692, 19 were executed by hanging, and others imprisoned.

• The trials only concluded after shifting public opinion against them.

Examination of a Witch

• Procedures and societal implications surrounding witchcraft examinations.

Notable Figures

• William Stoughton: Chief Justice during the trials.

• Bridget Bishop: First executed on June 10, 1692, for witchcraft.

Trial Cases

• Cases of Rebecca Nurse and George Iacobs exemplify the nature of the trials.

Judge Sewall's Repentance

• Judge Sewall experienced remorse after the trials; he sought to atone for his role by promoting social justice and opposing injustices in society.