Historical Inaccuracies In Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”`` Linnae Threlfall Lee Radley Walter Thomas Mackenzie Turner

The Inaccuracies of the crucible… Are mostly related to details about the actual lives of the historical characters used in the play Partly relate to the fabrication of events to add drama Partly relate to technical details about the witch trials themselves

Character Comparisons Historical Characters vs. Characters of the Play A few of the inaccuracies that are important to the plot of “The Crucible” are the changes made to the John Proctor and Abigail Williams characters……..

John Proctor In Real Life 60 years old at beginning of Salem witch trials In the Play Portrayed as young enough to have an affair with Abigail Williams

Abigail Williams In Real Life 11 years old at the time of the Salem witch trials In the Play Portrayed as an older girl (about 17) acting as a servant in the Proctors’ household

More Differences! History vs. The Play

Differences in the Characters’ Lives Betty Paris’ mother was alive during the actual events of the witch trailsBetty Paris’ mother was alive during the actual events of the witch trails There’s no conclusive proof that Abigail Williams was actually Rev. Parris’ nieceThere’s no conclusive proof that Abigail Williams was actually Rev. Parris’ niece Betty Parris and Abigail Williams were the first to become afflicted, not Ann PutnamBetty Parris and Abigail Williams were the first to become afflicted, not Ann Putnam John Proctor was not a farmer – instead, he was a tavern keeper with a 15-year-old daughter and two sons (ages 17 and 33)John Proctor was not a farmer – instead, he was a tavern keeper with a 15-year-old daughter and two sons (ages 17 and 33) The Putnam’s daughter was named Ann, like her mother, instead of Ruth (as her name is in the play)The Putnam’s daughter was named Ann, like her mother, instead of Ruth (as her name is in the play) The Parris family included an older brother named Thomas and a younger sister named Susannah, instead of just the daughter BettyThe Parris family included an older brother named Thomas and a younger sister named Susannah, instead of just the daughter Betty Rev. Parris never graduated from Harvard – he dropped outRev. Parris never graduated from Harvard – he dropped out Ann/Ruth was only one of six children in the Putnam familyAnn/Ruth was only one of six children in the Putnam family

Differences Relating to the Witch Trials Those accused of witchcraft were not only adolescent girls, but also grown men and womenThose accused of witchcraft were not only adolescent girls, but also grown men and women The events that the play is based off of were not actual trials but examinations in the special court of "Oyer and Terminer.” The trials began later on, in June of 1692The events that the play is based off of were not actual trials but examinations in the special court of "Oyer and Terminer.” The trials began later on, in June of 1692 Betty Parris and Abigail Williams were the first to become afflicted, not Ann PutnamBetty Parris and Abigail Williams were the first to become afflicted, not Ann Putnam Rebecca Nurse, John Proctor, and Martha Corey were not all hanged on the same dayRebecca Nurse, John Proctor, and Martha Corey were not all hanged on the same day The accused girls were afflicted with violent fits, instead of coma-like sleep, as portrayed in the playThe accused girls were afflicted with violent fits, instead of coma-like sleep, as portrayed in the play Reverend Hale could not have signed “death warrants” as he had no clergy to do so. They were instead signed by William StoughtonReverend Hale could not have signed “death warrants” as he had no clergy to do so. They were instead signed by William Stoughton

In Conclusion… Because of the scale of the inaccuracies in “The Crucible,” the play should be considered a work of HISTORICAL FICTION, not biographical fact!

Sources – Online encyclopedia – Online literary reference guide -- Online recourse of information about 17 th century New England and the Salem Witch Trials