The+Crucible

=**The Crucible**= toc //The Crucible// is a play written by American playwright Arthur Miller about the 1962-1963 Salem Witch Trials.It premiered at the Martin Beck Theatre on January 22, 1953 and ran for 197 performances. The play was staged by Jed Harris with settings designed by Boris Aronson and costumes by Edith Lutyens. =**Characters**= ACT ONE ACT TWO ACT THREE ACT FOUR
 * John Proctor || Abigail Williams ||
 * Reverend Parris || Rebecca Nurse ||
 * Elizabeth Proctor || Giles Corey ||
 * Betty Parris || Reverend John Hale ||
 * Susanna Walcott || Tituba ||
 * Mrs. Ann Putnam || Francis Nurse ||
 * Mercy Lewis || Ezekiel Cheever ||
 * Mary Warren || Marshal Herrick ||
 * Judge Hawthorne || Deputy Governor Danforth ||
 * Sarah Good || Hopkins ||
 * Contents of Play **

=**Plot**=

**Act One**
Act One opens with Reverend Parris praying by his daughter, Betty Parris’ bed. Abigail, Reverend Parris’ niece enters. She is older than Betty, at 17, and described as beautiful. Abigail mentions that there are rumors of witchcraft going around and that Reverend Parris needs to deny it. Reverend Parris says that he discovered Abigail and Betty dancing in the forest. Abigail claims that though they did indeed dance they were not practicing witch craft of any kind. Reverend Parris says that he saw someone naked running through the trees which Abigail denies. Reverend Parris mentions that there has been gossip about Abigail in town. Abigail replies, “There be no blush about my name” (Miller). Reverend Parris questions Abigail being dismissed from the Proctor home to which Abigail replies that Goody Proctor hates her. Mr. Putnam enters and reveals that his daughter Ruth is in a similar state to Betty. It is revealed that Reverend Hale has been sent for. Mrs. Putnam reveals that she had seven babies die after birth. She sent Ruth to speak to Tituba who speaks to the dead. Reverend Parris accuses Abigail of conjuring spirits in the woods which she denies. Abigail explains that Betty has been like this since midnight and won’t wake up. Betty wakes up and is afraid for Abigail. She cries for her mother who is deceased. Betty runs to the window and cries that she will fly to her mother and that Abigail drank blood in the woods. It is revealed that Abigail drank the blood as part of a charm to kill Goody Proctor. Abigail threatens the girls not to tell anyone. John Proctor enters. Abigail confesses to John who takes it all in humor. It is revealed that they had a love affair and that Abigail still has feelings for John. Abigail tries to seduce John to whom he replies, “I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I reach for you again” (Miller). Betty whimpers and causes a commotion as Revered Parris, Goody Putnam, and Mr. Putnam enters. Hale enters. John exits. Hale examines Betty. Giles asks Hale why he is having trouble saying his prayers. Hale promises to look into it. Giles casually mentions that his wife reads a lot and hides the books. Under pressure Abigail blames Tituba. When Tituba enters Abigail sreams, “She made me do it!” (Miller 43). Tituba is confused. Abigail begins to make up stories about Tituba sending the devil after her. When Putnam declares they must hang Tituba she confesses that she works for the devil to save herself from hanging. Hale believes he has saved Tituba as he prays with her. Under pressure to give names, Tituba says Sarah Good. Abigail joins in and says she saw Goody Osborn with the devil. Betty wakes up and begins screaming names that she saw with the devil.

**Act Two**
Act Two begins eight days later at the Proctor home. John and Elizabeth Proctor talk about the crop John has planted. Elizabeth is seen to be unaffectionate with John. It is revealed that Mary Warren has been going into town as an official of the court. Elizabeth tells John to go into Salem and tell them that the girls are making it up. They argue about John seeing Abigail alone when Abigail told him she made it up. John is upset that Elizabeth cannot forgive him for his affair with Abigail. Mary Warden enters and claims to feel sick after the court proceedings. She gives Elizabeth a doll that she made. She informs John and Elizabeth that thirty-nine people have been arrested and that Elizabeth has been accused. Mary Warren leaves. Elizabeth believes it is Abigail who has accused her. She asks John to go into town and talk to the people. John is hesitant. Reverend Hale enters. He is there to tell them that Elizabeth’s name has been brought up in court along with Rebecca Nurse. Hale calls into question Proctor’s lack of church attendance. Proctor claims it is because he does not like Reverend Parris. Hale asks why his third son is not baptized and Proctor again says it is because he does not like Reverend Parris. Hale asks John to say the Ten Commandments. John says nine of them and leaves out adultery. Elizabeth bids John to tell Hale what he knows about Abigail. Hale does not believe her. Elizabeth tells Hale “Question Abigail Williams about the Gospel, not myself!” (Miller 70). Giles enters and reveals that his wife and Rebecca Nurse have been taken. Hale is incredulous that Rebecca has been taken and is accused of killing the Putnam’s dead babies. Ezekiel Cheever enters with Marshal Herrick. They have come to take Elizabeth who has been charged with witchcraft. Herrick confiscates the doll Mary Warren made and claims it is a voodoo doll that Elizabeth uses on Abigail. Proctor is outraged. He gets Mary Warren to tell the men that it was her doll but Elizabeth still must go. John says “I will fall like an ocean on this court” (Miller 78). Everyone exits except for John who tells Mary that she will go to court with him and tells the truth. Mary sobs.

**Act Three**
Act Three opens at the court house with Martha Corey’s trial. Martha claims to be innocent. Giles enter claiming he has evidence to prove of his wife’s innocence. Francis Nurse enters claiming he has evidence as well. Proctor enters with Mary Warren and bids her to tell the truth. Mary confesses to the court that the girls are lying. Proctor is questioned. He is told that Elizabeth claims to be pregnant to which John says must be true because Elizabeth does not lie. Francis Nurse gives a signed deposition with ninety-one names. The judge says that he will summon these people. Proctor tries to encourage Mary Warren by quoting the angel Raphael, “Do that which is good, and no harm shall come to thee” (Miller 95). Giles Corey tries to prove that his wife has only been accused by the Putnams because of a land dispute between he and Mr. Putnam. Proctor hands Judge Danforth Mary Warren’s deposition. Abigail and the other girls enter. Mary confesses to the court. Mary tries to explain that she was believing what Abigail told her to. Abigail begins to claim she is getting chills. The other girls join in and blame Mary. In a desperate attempt to save his wife, John confesses that he had an affair with Abigail and she is therefore untrustworthy and out to get Elizabeth. The court decides to bring Elizabeth in to confirm it. They have John’s word that she never lies. Elizabeth is brought in. When questioned she lies to save John the shame. John is beside himself. The girls continue to blame Mary claiming that she has turned herself into a bird. Nary desperately tries to make them stop but the girls continue. The court believes the girls. Mary is frightened and recants out of fear. When the court asks John what he thinks John says, “ I say- Isay- God is dead!” (Miller 119).

**Act Four**
Act Four opens in the Salem jail. Herrick enters to wake up Sarah Good. Sarah Good and Tituba are in the jail making jokes about the situation. Danforth enters. Through Danforth and Herrick’s conversation it is revealed that it has been three months and that those who confess to witchcraft have saved their lives. Reverend Hale is currently pleading with Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey to confess but they will not. Parris enters and reveals that Abigail has vanished. Abigail and Mercy Lewis have robbed Parris and fleed. Revered Hale enters. He reveals that John is in the dungeon. Hale asks if he can have Elizabeth talk to John to convince him to confess. Elizabeth enters. She is noticeably pregnant. Hale begs Elizabeth to speak with John. Elizabeth is taken to John where they are left to speak. Elizabeth tells John that Giles was executed by pressing; weight being put onto the body by stones. John asks Elizabeth what he should do but she doesn’t tell him. John tells Elizabeth he is sorry for being a bad man. Elizabeth asks for John’s forgiveness for being such a cold wife. She never understood how he could love her and therefore was never affectionate. Hale enters and John says he wants his life. John starts to write out the confession and will not give any names. He is told that his confession will be nailed to the church door. John realizes that he cannot sign his name to a lie. John says, “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life. Because I lie and sign myself to lies. Because I am not worth the dust in the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I’ve given you my soul; leave me my name! (Miller 143). John rips up the confession John, Rebecca, and Martha are lead to the gallows. Hale and Parris plead with Elizabeth to change John’s mind. Elizabeth replies, “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!” (Miller 145). Curtain.

=**Productions**= = = =**2002 Revival**= //The Crucible// was revived in 2002 and ran for 101 performances from March to June at the Virginia Theatre in New York City. Liam Neeson played the role of John Proctor and Lauran Linney played the role of Elizabeth Proctor.
 * ~ ===**Theatre**=== ||~ ===**Run**=== ||~ ===**Number of Perforamances**=== ||
 * Ma rtin Beck Theatre || January 22, 1953-July 11, 1953 || 197 performances ||
 * Belasco Theatre || April 6, 1964 - May 2, 1964 || 16 performances ||
 * Vivian Beaumont Theater || April 27, 1972 - June 3, 1972 || 44 performances ||
 * Belasco Theatre || December 10, 1991 - January 5, 1992 || 31 performances ||

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= Tony Awards =


 * WINNER** 1953 Featured Actress in a Play (Beatrice Straight)


 * WINNER** 1953 Play

NOMINATED 2002 Actor in a Play (Liam Neeson)

NOMINATED 2002 Actress in a Play (Laura Linney)

NOMINATED 2002 Direction of a Play (Richard Eyre)

NOMINATED 2002 Featured Actor in a Play (Brian Murray)

NOMINATED 2002 Lighting Design (Paul Gallo)

NOMINATED 2002 Revival of a Play

= Film =

Arthu r Miller wrote the screenplay for the 1996 film starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder and Joan Allen. The film was nominated for two Oscars; Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Joan Allen) and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material (IMDB). media type="youtube" key="iUIAxTxrnCc" width="339" height="234" align="right"

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=** Historical Context **=

The Salem witch trials were a series of accusations, trials, and hangings in Salem, Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. Massachusetts was founded and governed by Puritans whose strong religious beliefs governed their judgment. Celebrations of any kind including holidays and dancing of any kind were forbidden. Toys, especially dolls of any kind were strictly forbidden. Schooling revolved around the Bible and mandatory lectures in the meeting house. Outbreaks of witchcraft began in surrounding towns of Salem. Misfortunes suffered by the people such as stillbirth, infant death or poor crops were blamed on the use of witchcraft. People began accusing one another of using magic given to them by Satan ( Records of Salem Witchcraft).

Betty Paris age 9, the daughter of Reverend Pairs and Abigail Williams age 11, his niece were documented as having ‘fits’ where they would yell, tear apart their rooms, and contort themselves into odd positions. They complained of pains and aches for which the doctor could find no physical evidence of. Soon other girls such as Ann Putnam Jr. 12, began to claim the same symptoms and act out in ‘fits.’ Sarah Good, a homeless beggar, Sarah Osborn, who married an indentured servant, and Barbados slave, Tituba were accused of witchcraft, making deals with the devil, and inflicting the symptoms on the girls. Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse were later accused after voicing their disbelief in the girl’s accusations. Elizabeth Proctor was accused and tried in April. During her trial, her husband, John Proctor, was arrested for his objections ( Records of Salem Witchcraft).
 * Characters in History **

= Executions = Sarah Good and Rebecca Nurse were both found guilty along with several others and were hanged on July 19, 1692.

John Proctor was executed with several others on August 19, 1962.

Elizabeth Proctor was never executed and survived the Salem Witch Trials. She remarried in 1699 to a man named Daniel Richards. She was issued an written apology from the courts on March 18th, 1702. Giles Corey refused to plead out and was executed by excessive weight of rocks on his chest.

There were a total of nineteen executions (Records of Salem Witchcraft).

=Author= = =

//**“The Crucible became by far my most frequently produced play, both abroad and at home. Its meaning is somewhat different in different places and moments. I can almost tell what the political situation in a country is when the play is suddenly a hit there — it is either a warning of tyranny on the way or a reminder of tyranny just past.” Arthur Miller, Timebends: A Life (1987)**// Arthur Asher Miller was born in Harlem, New York on October 17, 1915. He was raised in a comfortable household until the stock market crash of 1929. Miller paid his way through the University of Michigan where he studied under Professor Kenneth Rowe. Miller’s first critical success came with // All My Sons // for which he was nominated and won his first Tony Award for Best Author. Miller’s next play, // Death of a Salesman //, which Miller wrote in a day, won him the Triple Crown, Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award, and New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award. In his lifetime Miller wrote 36 plays, 7 screenplays and 15 radio plays. Miller died on the 50th Anniversary of //Death of a Salesman’s// premier.

= Correlations between Miller’s Life and //The Crucible// = According to literary scholar Henry Popkin, "//The Crucible// dramatized the phrase that was popularly being used to describe the the congressional hearings "witch hunts." (Popkin 140). Being persecuted under the suspicion of being a communist by one’s own democratic government, Miller understood very well the predicament of going against one’s own sense of justice .  Miller’s main persecutor was Joe McCarthy who was burning books instead of witches .  Miller was on “The Red Channel’s List” along with a hundred and fifty other people who the government declared were Communists sympathizers .  He was forced to give testimony to the House Committee on Un-American Activities ,  where it was demanded that he give names of the people he knew who were Communists . .  “[Miller] described his own flirtation with Communism but refused to give the names of Communists he had known” (Popkin 140) .  In the face of being “blacklisted,” Miller was able to hold onto his own ethics . Miller projects his own experiences and modern characteristics on to John Proctor. “Proctor is not only expressing a characteristically modern concern for his good name, a concern equally important to the twentieth-century protagonist of Miller’s next full length play, //A View from the Bridge;// but he is exhibiting a typically Puritan state of mind” (Popkin 144) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt;">.

=Works Cited= Popkin, Henry. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #265985; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">[|College English] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;">Vol. 26, No. 2 (Nov., 1964), pp. 139-146 Published by: National Council of Teachers of English

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">Miller, Arthur, and Gerald Weales. //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">The Crucible: Text and Criticism //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">. New York [u.a.: Penguin, 1977. Print.

[|R] ecords of Salem Witchcraft from the Original Documents, ed. W. Elliot Woodward Roxbury Mass: privately printed, 1864

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">"IBDB: The Official Source for Broadway Information." //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">IBDB: The Official Source for Broadway Information //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2013.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">"The Crucible." //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">IMDb //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 07 May 2013.