The Salem Witch Trials

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Background Information

Witch trials & hangings common in Europe during this time

Over 100 people accused in Massachusetts from 1630 to 1692

Dozens were put to death The Crucible is set in 1692 in Massachusetts but

Miller wrote it in 1953 during the McCarthy Era The events of the play are based on real people &

real events

Characters

Nine year old Betty Paris & 11 year old Abigail Williams– Cousins– In the play, Abigail is around 16 years old– Both lived with Reverend Parris– They were the accusers– Had spasms in which they:

1. Went into convulsions2. Barked like dogs3. Howled4. Began itching or freezing

Characters Continued

Reverend Parris– Widower– In his mid-40’s– Minister of Salem– Massive control freak

Tituba-Native American (her tribe came from the West Indies)

-She was a slave “owned” by Reverend Parris-Believed that she had special powers…reading your future

Characters Continued

John Proctor-In his mid-40’s-Know for being a religious man-Well respected farmer & community member-Husband to Elizabeth Proctor

Elizabeth Proctor (Goody Proctor)-Married to John-Know for being a very upstanding woman

Reverend Hale– He is the one hired to come into Salem to discern if Satan is

behind all the commotion

Actual Witch Trial Events

At first, only three people were accused & all were “outcasts” in Salem

Accusations quickly spread throughout the community

One 80 year old man is pressed to death Fourteen women were hung along with five

men and two dogs

Actual Witch Trial Events

The accusations halted when the governor’s wife is accused & then he puts a stop to it

Modern historians attribute the Witch Trials to ergot– A mold that grows on wheat, bread, etc.

– If ingested, it has the same effects as LSD (hallucinations, itching, delusions, howling, etc.)

– Many historians believe that ergot probably grew in Salem during this time