The Crucible Notes
The Crucible Notes
Background:
* Based on purity of religion * People are fearful of witches * They have their own unique vocabulary * H. L. Mencken’s definition: “the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, is having fun.” * Their life is based on religion, prayer, God and work
Puritan Legacy Pros and Cons: * Pros: They have a strong work ethic * Cons: They are harsh and judgmental
They have strong discipline including public shame and twisted morality
Theocracy (n.) a form of government; NO separation or church and state
Crucible (n.) 1. A container able to withstand great heat 2. Molten collection space 3. A severe test or trial
The Playwright: Arthur Miller- * Themes: Family relationships, morality, and personal responsibility * He is from New York City * He lived through the Great Depression * Won The Pulitzer Prize in 1949 for Death of a Salesman * He wasn’t a very good student * Arthur Miller’s involvement with McCarthyism inspiration * He’s a legend
ACT I 1) Setting: * Salem, Massachusetts in 1962 * Reverend Parris’s house * In the upstairs bedroom of Betty Parris 2) Characters: * Reverend Parris: -In his 60’s –He used to be a business man –Dislikes children
–Is a slave owner –Graduated from Harvard –Has lots of money –Is a widower
-Is pious, trusting and powerful * Betty Parris: -10 years old –Rev. Parris’s daughter –Inert * Tituba: -In her 40’s –A slave from Barbados –Betty’s mother figure * Abigail “Abby” Williams: -17 years old –strikingly beautiful –young
–Reverend Parris’s niece –An orphan * John and Elizabeth Proctor: -Farmers –Well respected –Elizabeth has been sick * Reverend Hale: -In his 40’s –From Beverly –Very smart –Witchcraft “specialist” * Sarah Good: -Older woman –Widowed –Homeless * Goody Osburn: -Older woman –Half witted –Begs * Mary Warren: -18 years old –“nanny” for the Proctors (7 months after Abby was)
-subservient
* Thomas and Ann Putnam:
Background:
* Based on purity of religion * People are fearful of witches * They have their own unique vocabulary * H. L. Mencken’s definition: “the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, is having fun.” * Their life is based on religion, prayer, God and work
Puritan Legacy Pros and Cons: * Pros: They have a strong work ethic * Cons: They are harsh and judgmental
They have strong discipline including public shame and twisted morality
Theocracy (n.) a form of government; NO separation or church and state
Crucible (n.) 1. A container able to withstand great heat 2. Molten collection space 3. A severe test or trial
The Playwright: Arthur Miller- * Themes: Family relationships, morality, and personal responsibility * He is from New York City * He lived through the Great Depression * Won The Pulitzer Prize in 1949 for Death of a Salesman * He wasn’t a very good student * Arthur Miller’s involvement with McCarthyism inspiration * He’s a legend
ACT I 1) Setting: * Salem, Massachusetts in 1962 * Reverend Parris’s house * In the upstairs bedroom of Betty Parris 2) Characters: * Reverend Parris: -In his 60’s –He used to be a business man –Dislikes children
–Is a slave owner –Graduated from Harvard –Has lots of money –Is a widower
-Is pious, trusting and powerful * Betty Parris: -10 years old –Rev. Parris’s daughter –Inert * Tituba: -In her 40’s –A slave from Barbados –Betty’s mother figure * Abigail “Abby” Williams: -17 years old –strikingly beautiful –young
–Reverend Parris’s niece –An orphan * John and Elizabeth Proctor: -Farmers –Well respected –Elizabeth has been sick * Reverend Hale: -In his 40’s –From Beverly –Very smart –Witchcraft “specialist” * Sarah Good: -Older woman –Widowed –Homeless * Goody Osburn: -Older woman –Half witted –Begs * Mary Warren: -18 years old –“nanny” for the Proctors (7 months after Abby was)
-subservient
* Thomas and Ann Putnam: