The Crucible

1. Background from “The Overture” The Crucible

2. What is an Overture? • An introduction • In music, it is the orchestral piece at the beginning of a larger composition Why do you think Miller would have subtitled his first act “An Overture”?

3. Reverend Parris • Age: Mid-forties • Occupation: Minister • Family: Widowed, one daughter • View on life: Believed he was being persecuted wherever he went • View on children: No interest, they should be seen and not heard “In history he cut a villainous path” (Miller 3).

4. Puritan Life – Situational • Worked the land to survive • No time for play • Celebrations centered around work – “Raise the Roof” parties • Two-man Patrols • Checked in to see who was skipping out on church • Townspeople had little privacy • “The predilection for minding other people’s business was time-honored…” (Miller 5).

5. Puritan Life – Natural • Settlement on the edge of wilderness • Dark and threatening • Indian Tribes were seen as dangerous heathens • Saw this space as “the Devil’s last preserve” (Miller 5).

6. Social Disorder • Situation was ripe for something like the witch trials • Self-denial and suspicion of vain pursuits • They didn’t allow themselves to let loose • They scrutinized those individuals who did allow this • Hard-handed justice • Very strict • Severe punishments for minor crimes

7. Witch Hunts = Personal Gain? • Allowed people to confess deep, dark sins or feelings • Under the disguise of an accusation of someone else • Fights about land • Someone gets arrested, their land goes up for sale! • Settling old scores • You wrong me, I accuse you of being a witch