Who Really Moves the Ouija Board The devil gives people powers The devil grants loyalty if those with the powers harm others Historical Context A witchcraft craze rippled through Europe from the 1300s to the end of the 1600s ID: 696447
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Slide1
The Crucible
The Salem Witch Trials, McCarthyism and Arthur MillerSlide2
Who Really Moves the
Ouija
Board?
The devil gives people powersThe devil grants loyalty if those with the “powers” harm othersSlide3
Historical Context
A "witchcraft craze" rippled through Europe from the 1300s to the end of the 1600s.
Tens of thousands of supposed witches—mostly women—were executed.
The Salem incident began after the European craze died downSlide4
Circumstances Surrounding the Accusations
Many people moved to Essex county because of conflict w/ English rulers William and Mary
Put a strain on resources in the county.
Created factions- those who had lived in the county for some time, and refuges from Canada and neighboring statesSlide5
Salem in the 1700’sSlide6
A Salem “witch house”Slide7
Those Involved
In 1692 Reverend Parris' daughter Elizabeth, age 9, and niece Abigail Williams, age 11, started having "fits."
a local doctor blamed the supernatural
Reverend Samuel ParrisSalem Village's first ordained minister in 1689
disliked because of his rigid ways and greedy natureSlide8
And More Become Involved
Ann Putnam, age 11, experienced similar episodes
Magistrates Jonathan Corwin and John
Hawthorne became involved the girls blamed three women for afflicting them
Tituba
, the Parris' Caribbean slave
Sarah Good, a homeless beggar
Sarah Osborne, an elderly impoverished womanSlide9
The Hangings
Bridget Bishop was the first woman hanged….despite her demand of innocence.Slide10
The Hysteria Continues
Miller claims that more and more people stood up against those accusing, but the opposite is true
more and more people were giving false confessions and four women actually pled guilty to the charges.
some claim this was because it became apparent that confession would save one from the noose
there is evidence that the Court was planning to execute the confessors as wellSlide11Slide12
The Outcome
19 were hanged on Gallows Hill
a 71-year-old man was pressed to death with heavy stones
several people died in jail nearly 200 people, overall, had been accused of practicing "the Devil's magic.Slide13
Truth?
Published in
Science
in 1976 by psychologist Linda Caporaelblamed
the abnormal habits of the accused on the fungus ergot, which can be found in rye, wheat and other cereal
grasses.
t
oxicologists
say that eating ergot-contaminated foods can lead to muscle spasms, vomiting, delusions and
hallucinations
the
fungus thrives in warm and damp climates—not too unlike the swampy meadows in Salem Village, where rye was the staple grain during the spring and summer
monthsSlide14
Passing of a Fad
intervention of Governor William Phips led to the innocent being released (after paying a jail fee)
c
raze died down soon afterSlide15
Historical Inaccuracies
Events in the play and movie are LOOSLY based on the Salem Witch TrialsSlide16
Why Did Arthur Miller Write
The Crucible
?
McCarthyism- 1940's and 1950's growing concern for communism.
-Senator McCarthy begin a modern day witch hunt accusing more than 200 public figures of being card-carrying communists.
-Most were writers, actors and entertainers. Many had their passports taken away and lost work.
-Created strong political tension.
-Charlie Chapman, Arthur Miller among othersSlide17
Those Who Spoke Out Against Senator McCarthy
-comedian Mort
Sahl
, and journalist Edward R. Murrowstrong criticisms of McCarthy are often cited as playing an important role in his eventual removal from power. Modern day witch hunt ends in 1954Slide18
Questions to Ponder
What
constitutes true authority? Is it learning, holding high office in the state, the dictates of religious law as interpreted by officials of the established religion, the moral values and conscience of the individual, something else?
Explain.
How
does pride lead the people of Salem in their actions and decision making, or hold them back from following morals and/or logic?
Arthur
Miller’s
The Crucible
is often viewed more as a tragedy of humanity and
the
individual within it rather than a true political allegory of McCarthyism and the Red Scare. In addition, Miller’s concern may be something far greater than “Did witches really exist in Salem?” It may be pointing out the true condition of humanity. What do you think
?
Finally
, focus particularly on the character of John Proctor. Does he ultimately make the right decision? Is it permissible to lie in order to save your life? Isn’t a survivor also a hero? Doesn’t Proctor have a duty to his wife and kids
?
Can
you think of any modern day witch hunts? Explain and compare to the events in
The Crucible.
A
crucible is a place or occasion of a true test or trial. Provide examples from the movie of events that support the concepts behind the title.