THE CRUCIBLE By Arthur Miller. HISTORICAL CONTEXT In 1953, legendary writer Arthur Miller depicted a...
If you can't read please download the document
THE CRUCIBLE By Arthur Miller. HISTORICAL CONTEXT In 1953, legendary writer Arthur Miller depicted a story based on actual facts; facts which remain horrifying
HISTORICAL CONTEXT In 1953, legendary writer Arthur Miller
depicted a story based on actual facts; facts which remain
horrifying even to this day, despite being based on events which
took place over 300 years ago.
Slide 3
THE PLOT The story is a terrifying depiction of how the
accusations of a group of children stirred up such fear in the
community that it led to persecution and hangings. The message
applies to all witch-hunts; taking place every day.
Slide 4
SO LETS BEGIN
Slide 5
SETTING It is the spring of 1692. The small town of Salem, MA
had been established a mere forty years earlier, and had yet to
make it its mark on the rest of the world. However, while not all
were immediately aware, 1692 would be a year of revolution in
America. No longer was everyone willing to adhere to the strict
lifestyle that had been set down by their forefathers.
Slide 6
CONFLICT While the town of Salem may have appeared to be a
serene and enjoyable place to live, it was about to experience an
event that would change their lives forever. Little did they know,
though, that their story would still have a tremendous effect on us
today.
Slide 7
CHARACTERS
Slide 8
Reverend Samuel Parris -An older minister who is hated by many
members of the community. Betty Parris- The daughter of reverend
Parris who is pretending to be unconscious in Act 1. THE
PARRISS
Slide 9
Tituba- A black female slave who is the first person to be
accused of witchcraft. Abigail Williams - The niece of reverend
Parris who has an affair with Proctor and accuses many people of
witchcraft. ABIGAIL AND TITUBA
Slide 10
John Proctor - A successful farmer and a married man who cheats
on his wife with the babysitter. Elizabeth Proctor- Johns wife, a
good but ill mother, who is very angry because of her husbands
affair. THE PROCTORS
Slide 11
Mrs. Ann Putnam - An unhappy woman whos daughter Ruth is also
pretending to be unconscious in Act 1. Thomas Putnam - A member of
Reverend Parriss church who is very wealthy. THE PUTNAMS
Slide 12
Susanna Walcott- A friend of Abigails who tries to help Betty
and Ruth. Mercy Lewis - A friend of Abigails who danced naked in
the woods. Mary Warren- A friend of Abigails who claims she didnt
do anything wrong. THE OTHER GIRLS
Slide 13
Rebecca Nurse- An older woman who knows the little girls are
faking their illnesses. Giles Corey - An old farmer who is
suspicious of his wife because she likes to read. Reverend John
Hale- A minister from the nearby town of Beverly who is called by
Reverend Parris to investigate his suspicions of witchcraft in
Salem. A FEW TRAGIC HEROES
Slide 14
Francis Nurse - A wealthy farmer who is arrested for trying to
stop the trials. Ezekiel Cheever - An official of the court who
works for governor Danforth. Marshal Herrick - An official of the
court who works for governor Danforth. Judge Hawthorne - A judge
who is prejudice against the accused. MINOR CHARACTERS Martha Corey
- Giles Coreys wife Danforth - The governor of Massachusetts; he
supports the trials. Sarah Good - A homeless woman falsely accused
by Abigail and her friends of witchcraft
Slide 15
ACT 1 ANALYSIS The Confessions Why do you believe Tituba and
Abigail admit to practicing witchcraft? Tituba and Abigail admit to
practice witchcraft because While they were in the woods, This led
to So they finally, ( ).
Slide 16
ACT 2 ANALYSIS Proctor and His Two Lovers Analyze the
relationship Proctor has with his wife, Elizabeth, as revealed
through the opening of Act II (only up to Mary Warrens entrance).
Use the dialogue to help support your assertions about the
relationship. Use thorough, thoughtfully composed ideas. Compare
Proctors relationship with Abigailthe chemistry between themwith
his relationship with his wife.
Slide 17
Mary, Mary, quite Contrary Throughout ACT III, Mary Warren is
affected by multiple characters. Consider how each of the following
characters interacts with and influences the actions and thoughts
of the fickle Mary Warren. Furthermore, explain the specific tactic
each character uses to persuade Mary Warren to do what they want
her to do. Include two specific pieces of textual evidence (with
page numbers) to support your claims about each characters
influential factor. ACT 3 ANALYSIS Characters to consider: John
Proctor Reverend Hale Abigail
Slide 18
ACT 4 ANALYSIS Poor John Describe both an internal conflict and
an external conflict that John Proctor faced. Then, explain how
these conflicts were resolved.
Slide 19
ESSAY PROMPT A crucible is defined as a severe test. Many
characters in the play are tested in terms of their conscience
(guilt/remorse), their motivation, their understanding of right and
wrong, and their understanding of their consequences. Some
characters crumble under their test; some excel beyond that which
surrounds them.
Slide 20
ESSAY PROMPT In a multi-paragraph essay, evaluate the test that
one character faces during the events of the story. Address this
characters motivation to action throughout the play as seen in
their speech and behavior. Analyze what prompts this character to
determine the choices she/he makes. Evaluate how this character
fairs at the end of his or her test in the play. Furthermore,
analyze how the notion of a crucible transcends the play. Look at
society in terms of community or on a national level to connect
concepts of the witch hunt and a crucible with society today
(Consider: War or Terror, Gays in the Military, California Fires,
etc.).
Slide 21
STUDENT SAMPLE INTRODUCTION A great president once said, Nearly
all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's
character, give him power (Abraham Lincoln). Often people who are
given a large amount of power can become prideful and overlook the
extent of their responsibilities. They fail to realize the impact
of the choices they make, until it is too late. In The Crucible, by
Arthur Miller, John Hale is given the power to confirm the presence
of witchcraft in Salem. However, Hale soon realizes his mistakes
and his test is to rid himself of his guilt.
Slide 22
STUDENT SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH When John Hale goes to Salem, he
is convinced that there is witchcraft, and many people expect him
to find it. The authorities boast, This is a beloved errand for
him; on being called here to ascertain witchcraft he felt the pride
of the specialist whose unique knowledge has at last been publicly
called for (Miller 190). Hale feels that his job is important and
he has pride in his work. Even though witchcraft seems an unlikely
cause of the girls afflictions, Better minds than Hales were and
still are convinced that there is a society of spirits beyond our
ken (Miller 31). Many people truly believed in sprits and witches
in Salem. During all the chaos going on when a group of girls
accuse others of witchcraft, people turn to Hale to bring order in
the village, bringing him even more power over others.
Nevertheless, many people in Salem put their trust in John Hale
because of his credibility and intelligence.
Slide 23
STUDENT SAMPLE REAL LIFE CONNECTION PARAGRAPH Power can cause a
man to become prideful and look past the impact that their choices
have on others. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001,
former President George Bush had a huge responsibility to protect
our country. All of America looked towards him for guidance and put
their trust in him. Many people supported his decision to go into
Iraq and discover the weapons of mass destruction (CNN). However,
by the end of his term as president, he had extremely low approval
ratings and many Americans disapproved of the war in Iraq. Like
Hale, his attempts to protect the innocent led to unnecessary loss
of life. Unfortunately, many Americans still suffer as a result of
his actions.