Review of Act 1 The Crucible American Lit. Honors
Themes Greed Jealousy Hysteria The Social Functionalist or Social Accusations Theory Illness Social Control Intolerance (Irony) McCarthyism
Reverend Parris Reputation Not well liked Why? A. Preaches too often about hell/finances B. He obtained his position by unethical means.
Putnams Ann P. Seven babies died at birth She blames this on…demonic spirits/witchcraft. Implicates Tituba because she had her daughter Ruth go to the forest and conjure spirits of the dead babies.
Putnams cont… Thomas Putnam “a man with many grievances” A. James Bayley was supposed to become minister of Salem. B. Had grievances against him because he was the eldest son of the richest man in the village. C. He attempted to contest his fathers will/stepbrother was going to receive more money than him.
Abigail In order to preserve her name and to divert attention away from her, she condemns others. Blames Tituba for conjuring spirits and making her drink chicken blood. Liar/Harmful Controlling/Bully/Manipulator Threatens the girls of Salem to keep their mouths shut OR ELSE!!
Tituba A Pawn Scapegoat A. Slave B. Has no social rank C. From Barbados (stereotype) is that they know more about witchcraft/superstitions)
John Proctor Recognizes Hypocrisy Tragically Flawed A. Christian man who has an affair with a 17 year old girl. B. He is married. Senses that Rev. Hale’s presence will cause more hysteria to be spread throughout Salem Village.
Reverend Hale Has the best of intentions, outside pressures and growing hysteria will prove to add to the struggles of the play.
Betty Parris/Ruth Putnam Young girls and daughters of squabbling families. Both afflicted with a “mysterious” illness Ruth has been known to act out (crazy) in court when her family was up against their enemies.
Rebecca Nurse In her 70s The people in Beverly speak well of her because of her charitable work in the village of Salem and neighboring villages as well.
Giles Corey 83 years old Unknowingly accuses his wife of being involved in “peculiar” activities. A. Reading a book B. Giles is illiterate and a little DUMB!!! Blamed for everything that goes wrong in the village.?? Because he is DUMB.