1. Wed./Thurs. Aug. 13/14 Write a #10 sentence about conformity. Research jigsaw and synthesis: Share your research results with your group. On one piece of paper, come to a consensus on which three facts might be most important to know for our reading of The Crucible (#1-3). Then explain who Cotton Mather was (#4) and his connection (#5).

4. Here’s some more background: Puritans: God has absolute power, negative circumstances were attributed to Satan, religion was the absolute center of life. Music, dancing, holidays, and even toys were forbidden. Belief in witchcraft was widespread; England’s King James I, who reigned from 1603-1625,published a book witchcraft, Demononlogy. Shakespeare’s Macbeth (1606) was written to please the king and included three witches: “Double, double, toil and trouble…”

5. ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, LEADER OF THE ACCUSERS. In the film, she is portrayed as a lustful, jealous young woman. In reality, she was 11 during the time of the actual trials.

6. JOHN PROCTOR- One of the few males accused. In the film, he has an extra-marital affair With Abigail Williams. In reality, he was about 60 during the trials; there is no evidence of an affair between the two.

7. ELIZABETH PROCTOR- John Proctor’s wife. She is a good, pious, Puritan.

8. TITUBA, PARRIS’ SLAVE FROM BARBADOS. One of the first to confess.

9. REVEREND PARRIS, SALEM’S SPIRITUAL LEADER. His daughter, Betty Parris, is the first to come down with the mysterious illness.

10. REVEREND HALE, EXPERT IN ALL MATTERS TOUCHING ON WITCHCRAFT.

11. JUDGE DANFORTH, WHO DECIDES THE FATE OF THE ACCUSED

12. THE YOUNG GIRLS WHO TESTIFY AGAINST THEIR NEIGHBORS

13. Act 1 Today we will read and discuss Act 1. If time permits, we will end with some AP multiple choice practice. Be prepared to have a quiz over each act. The text is available online if you need to read at home. Google “The Crucible full text” and you should find it easily.