1. The Crucible Arthur Miller 1 st performed NYC 1/22/1953 A drama about the personal tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials 1692

2. The tragedy Salem, Jan. 1692 Several young girls (Elizabeth Parris, 9 and Abigail Williams, 11) exhibit strange behavior/convulsions Satan? Tituba accused; she’s told voodoo stories and Cotton Mather told of 4 bewitched girls in 1688 Others named; Tituba confesses 2/29/1692

3. Salem events continued March – the accusations grow - Why? Trials ordered – very poorly run – Look for legal errors during the play No public protest – Why? Several hundred arrested/many imprisoned 19 executed – (18 hangings + 1 rock press) 13 women + 5 men + 1 mancake 17 died in prison

4. The end September – the Governor dissolves the court (he’d better – his wife was accused!) Reparations eventually paid to families of victims Miller’s play makes by implication an eloquent case on the universal subject of intolerance using hysteria for evil purposes The United States in 1953? What’s comparable?

5. The Puritans Who are they? Puritan beliefs – They forbade anything resembling “vain enjoyment” - like what? 2 types of people in Salem – those “in” the Puritan community and those on the “edges” Theocracy The paradox – strong theocracy is designed to unify but creates disunity by exclusion and prohibition

6. Homework Read Act I