1. The Crucible By Arthur Miller Background p. 1230 – 1231 Act I p. 1234-1263 Act II p. 1267- 1287 Act III p. 1291-1315 Act IV p. 1319-1334

2. The Author, Arthur Miller He has written many plays including: Death of a Salesman Wrote about common people pitted against powerful... social forces. Wanted social justice and equality among classes During the McCarthy Era, he was accused of being a Comunist and Un-American

3. Background Information 1692, MA colonized by British, a witch craft hysteria (Puritan New England) 20 people were executed and 150 jailed Puritan New England paralleled McCarthyism girls had seizures and lapses of unconsciousness thought to be witch craft girls had been engaging in fortunetelling with the ministers slave, Tituba.

4. Overview of the Plot Girls dancing in woods with Tituba. Minister Parris catches them Parris daughter, Betty falls into a coma Crowd gathers at Parris rumor begins of witchcraft Reverend Hale, an expert on the subject of witchcraft and all types of spirits has been sent for Abigail, Parris niece, will admit to nothing but dancing

5. Dramatic Exposition Reverend Parris, in his mid forties, feels persecuted by the townspeople Salem, MA: also about 40 years old. Religious town (Puritan) where people have little/no privacy John Proctor eventually rebels against this Became a theocracy to maintain unity of the town Witch hunts brought out people confessing sins and guilt, and making accusations, which otherwise they wouldnt

6. Dramatic Exposition ( An Overture) Reverend Samuel Parris, minister, is in mid- forties. Persecuted by the town Salem, MA is also about forty – a religious shipping town w/o privacy John Proctor, farmer would rebel against this Forest thought to be a dark and threatening place Became a theocracy to maintain unity of the town Witch hunts brought out people confessing sins and guilt which otherwise they wouldnt

7. Dramatic Exposition p. 1241 Thomas Putnam eldest son of richest man in Salem Putnam wanted his brother-in-law, James Bayley to be the minister Former Minister George Burroughs went into debt paying for wifes funeral Putnam and his brother, John jailed Burroughs for his debt Burroughs became minister when Bayley didnt Many accusations were give by Putnam