User:Skifish

The Crucible was a play made in 1953 by Arthur Miller. This tale is about the witchcraft trials that went on in Salem, Massachusetts in 1693. Mr. Miller was also involved in Un-American Activities Committee in the 1950's where America was terrified of the Communist era. This may have been where he got his idea for the play. Mr. Miller was convicted of "Contempt of Congress", but during this time there was alot of fingure pointing. In this story there is a young girl Abigail Williams who is the niece of the towns Reverend, Reverend Parris. Tituba, a black servant of their house who comes from Barbados. She teaches much of the young girls of the town witchcraft. Rev. Parris catches the girls dancing naked in the forrest, and fears what the town might do and say. He is very concerned about his name in the town. Abigail's ten-year-old cousin Betty Parris, has fallen ill from fright of what her father, Reverend Parris might think. They blame her illness on witchcraft, that someone must be haunting her spirit. Young Abigail has fallen for a local farmer, John Proctor. She serves in his house and they end up having an affair. His wife Elizabeth Proctor realizes their infatuation with eachother and throughs the young girl out of their house. Abigail is angered by this and starts the witchcraft "finger pointing." She uses the art of witches haunting their spirits against people in the town she dislikes. Like Elizabeth Proctor. The girls and their parents start accusing one another to gain something from someone. When all the girls come together to accuse different people, things get out of hand. The town calls on another Reverend to come help their town from the Devil. Reverend John Hale is summond to try and make sense out of the whole situation. Reverend John Hail is suppose to be an expert on witchcraft. He examines the situation from start to finish, Revered Hale is smart and he soon realizes what begins to happen. Rebecca Nurse a very wise and Godly women tries to help the girls and the situation. But when Ann Putnam, a resident in the town accuses Rebecca of witchcraft because of the death of her seven births because she helped during the births. Ann is jealouse of Rebecca because of all the healthy children Rebecca has. Ann's only daughter, Ruth Putnam was caught dancing in the woods with girls and Ann fears that others will come after her. Francis Nurse, Rebecca's husband trys to convince the town of his wifes innocence is then accused by Thomas Putnam. Francis is a wealthy and respected man in the town and his brother-in-law Putnam doesnt want him to be elected to the office of minister. So Putnam is a long time enemy of Francis. Mary Warren is the servant in the Putnams household and John Proctor wants her to testify against the girls and call their fib. Marry afraid of Abigail turns against John and accuses him of witchcraft. As things begin to get worse and worse, the Deputy Governor of Massachusetts is called to Salem. Deputy Governor of Massachusetts, Judge Danforth believes he is doing the right thing and riding the town of evil by sentencing all of those accused to hang. He gives them a chance at life again, only if they confess to their witchcraft and promise never to do it again. But all of those who are accused refuse to confess to witchcraft and therefore are scheduled to hang. Others in the town are being accused left and right. Martha Corey the wife of an elderly farmer Giles Corey is accused of witchcraft also. None confess to their false crimes and the end of the story is a sad one. They all are hanged, and Salem forever remembers the Salem Witch Trials Mr. Schwaderer P. 3 Jelena Baiely & Meredith Reed