The Puritans and Salem

Basic Puritan Beliefs – TULIP Total Depravity Unconditional Election Limited Atonement Irresistible Grace Perseverance of the saints

TULIP Total Depravity - Everyone is born sinful – “Original Sin. “ Unconditional Election - God saves those he wishes - only a few are selected for salvation – “Predestination.” Limited Atonement - Jesus died only for the elected.

TULIP Irresistible Grace - God's grace is freely given; it cannot be earned or denied. Grace is defined as the saving and transfiguring power of God. Perseverance of the saints - those elected by God have full power to interpret the will of God.

Additional Beliefs Manifest Destiny: The combination of three key themes: The virtue of the people and their institutions

The mission (manifest) to spread these ideas John Winthrop articulated the concept in his famous sermon, the Arbella Covenant (1630), when he said: " ... for we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us; ..." Winthrop exhorts his listeners to carry on God's mission and to set a shining example for the rest of the world.

The destiny under God to accomplish this work

Backsliding: The belief that "saved" believers, those with visible signs of grace, can fall into temptation and become sinners. To prevent this, believers were expected not to become smug, do constant soul-searching, be introspective, and pray constantly. See: “Sinners in the Hands…”

The Three Functions of Puritan Writers To transform a mysterious God – mysterious because He is separate from the world. To make him more relevant to the universe. To glorify God.

Style & Themes in Puritan Writing Protestant: simple language; reverence for the Bible. Purpose: see previous slide. Reflected the character and scope of the reading public, which was literate and well-grounded in religion.

Style & Themes in Puritan Writing Idealism: both religious and political. Pragmaticism: practicality and purpose.

Secular Contexts to Consider: Political: Salem Village was granted permission to form their own congregation and ordain their own minister. Disputes arose regarding the choice of Samuel Parris.

Secular Contexts to Consider: Economic: Families grew, creating land disputes. Farmland began to stretch, encroaching on Indians, which led to battle.

Causes of Hysteria in Salem 1. Strong belief that Satan is active in the world: “Invisible World” Disease, natural catastrophe, bad fortune

Causes, cont. Supported by previous cases of witchcraft 2. A belief that Satan recruits witches to work for him Supported by previous cases of witchcraft 3. A belief that one possessed displays particular symptoms

Causes, cont. Congregational strife in Salem Village 4. Troubled times made the likelihood of Satan’s presence more powerful Congregational strife in Salem Village Frontier wars with Indians

Causes, cont. 5. Confessing “witches” made previous accusations and trials more credible 6. Old feuds within the congregation between the accusers and accused

How it Started Betty Parris began exhibiting disturbing behavior: she dashed about, dove under furniture, contorted in pain, had fever. Parris’ playmates began to exhibit similar symptoms: Ann Putnam, Mercy Lewis

How it Started Doctor was called to examine the girls; believed the origin to be supernatural The belief that witchcraft targeted children fit well with the doctor’s diagnosis

Keep in mind that… The “Puritan Code” was strict. The lifestyle was rigid and individuality was frowned upon. It was against the law not to attend church. In this time, the church was the governing body.

Keep in mind that… They saw misfortune as a punishment from God and would not help someone in need, as they would be interfering with his will. Puritans believed the Devil was as real as God.

Keep in mind that… Although everyone had struggles between good and evil, Satan would select the weakest (children were of the first to be accused of witchcraft) to carry out his work.

Also… Those who “followed” Satan were considered witches. Witchcraft was one of the most severe crimes, punishable by death.

Also… Puritan conformity explains the reasoning behind the first accused: Tituba, a slave in the Parris household Sarah Good, a homeless beggar Sarah Osborne, a sickly old woman who married her servant

The Trials Under pressure, the accused women named others in false confessions. Encouraged by the clergy, a special civil court was convened with three judges, including Samuel Sewall, to conduct the trials.

The Trials They resulted in the conviction and hanging of 19 "witches" and the imprisonment of nearly 150 others.

But then…. Increase Mather published "Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits," dated October 3, 1692, after the last trials by the Court. In it, Mather stated "It were better that Ten Suspected Witches should escape, than that one Innocent Person should be Condemned".

And then… The colonial legislature later annulled the convictions. Wealthy businessman Thomas Brattle circulated a letter in manuscript form in October 1692, in which he criticized the methods used by the Court to determine guilt, stating, "they are deluded, imposed upon, and under the influence of some evill spirit; and therefore unfit to be evidences either against themselves, or any one else." The colonial legislature later annulled the convictions.

So, what about The Crucible? Arthur Miller's The Crucible, in the context of the historical Salem Witch Trials, shows many innocent people being accused of crimes/sins they did not commit. 

So, what about The Crucible? Throughout history, society has been blinded to similar occurrences, or "witch hunts." Indeed, Miller wrote The Crucible in response to one of those "witch hunts" that took place in his time period.

And.. Why?? In literature, authors often uncover current societal flaws by telling stories of the past in which those mistakes – and the lessons learned – are exposed. Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. - George Santayana

Sources en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_witch_trials staff.tuhsd.k12.az.us school.discoveryeducation.com tttc.org/projects/AMoore/Crucible.htm www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal