Massachusetts was the location of the Salem Witchcraft hysteria from 1692 to 1693, stemming from uncompromising moral codes and religious beliefs. However, despite problems experienced in farming due to the harsh climate and rugged terrain; Salem also faced political and economic upheavals within the community, during this time. The hysteria commenced when an Indian slave named Tituba was accused of witchcraft by 3 young girls (Roach, 2002). Eventually, under an intense flailing, Tituba was forced to confess of witchcraft to a court official. Tituba's confession ignited a series of witchcraft manhunts leading to women and men being hanged, one man crushed to death by heavy rocks, and 150 more men were held in prison awaiting trail .
In 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts, a series of afflictions, convictions, accusations, and even executions played out known as the Salem Witch Trials. Among the over 200 people accused of practicing witchcraft was a woman by the name of Susannah North Martin. She lived in colonial Massachusetts of said time period and as a widow of 67 was executed for performing witchcraft, in conjunction with many other innocents blamed for similar faults. Witchcraft was known as the “Devil’s magic,” and many assorted Christians and often Puritans had a strong belief that the Devil could grant certain mortals power to harm in turn for their loyalty; these mortals were known as witches. Among the “witches” convicted were Sarah Osborne, Tituba, and Sarah Good, who had all been in a distressful state.
The physical appearance of the woman concluded the examination and marked them as witches, due to physical signs left by the devil such as a "wart." Ann, and her parents accused many more townspeople, typically those who were enemies of the family. The accusation sent fear to the people as villagers believed that anyone could be a witch. By the time Ann's witch hunt was over, she had accused 62 people . Tituba denied to have practiced any witchcraft and was beated by Parris to confess as he would promise her freedom.
Connor Owens October 27, 2009 American Lit. “It’s The Space Between” An analysis of John Proctor’s dissent over his confession in Miller’s, The Crucible Throughout history, the conflicts between the judicial system and civilians have caused great feuds between the two groups. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the two collide once more in a setting based on the historical Salem Witch Trials, in which the theocratic judges of Salem ruled the court. During these trials, as many civilians were put to death by the court for witchcraft, very few people had the courage to step up to the judicial system and pose as some sort of opposition. When John
The Crucible, set during the Salem Witch Trials, is about how young girls could persuade an entire puritanical society to believe that there are witches. Throughout the plot of the story, John Proctor is an important character. While he dismisses the fact that there are witches, it is revealed that Proctor had an affair with Abigail, the first accuser. Throughout the beginning and middle of the story, Proctor pays his penance privately and no one knows what he did. When he tries to confess to the court about his sin to prove that he would not lie about the witches, the court puts him in jail for lying ironically.
So when the proceedings of the witch trials come to town the Putnam s take that as a way to take Rebecca down. They accuse her of killing their babies be conjuring up her spirit and killing them before they come out of the womb. Unfortunately for Rebecca she fall victim to the mass hysteria in Salem, and is thrown I jail because of it. So being the good Christian she is when Judge Danforth asks her to confess she does not. Rebecca Nurse one of the kind and innocent people in the Crucible fall from power do to the happening of the Salem Witch
During the Salem witch trials, 20 people died because of the public crying “witch” on them. This chapter of history was recreated into Arthur Miller’s play, ‘The Crucible’ to show society just how immorally we once behaved. The quote by Hale supports the point the
He has commited adultery and this hidden secret unfolds into a mass of accusations, confessions, and madness in Salem. After the affair that John Proctor and Abigail had together, Abigail becomes jealous of John Proctor's wife. She tells him that once Elizabeth is out of their way, they would be free to love each other. John is appalled at this. John makes clear, "Abby, you'll put it out of mind.
After this event panic spreads through the village as people believe that witchcraft is afoot. During this period in Puritan Salem the church and the government acted as one unified force meaning when the accused are put to trial they also stood before their church (whose beliefs were very exclusive and orthodox). Witchcraft was believed to be the work of the devil and the condemned were put to death for acting upon their personal beliefs. This is a perfect example of persecution. The girls who were seen dancing are condemned of witchcraft and then reprimanded for going against the communities’
This whole incident leads into who is the tragic hero in this play, Reverend Hale or John Proctor? John Proctor, married to Elizabeth Proctor has an affair with a young girl by the name of Abigail Williams. Reverend Hale is called in on a case to solve the witch trials and try to find the Devil in Salem and destroy him! I know who looks like the hero in this play, but we can never be too sure. In my opinion it’s the other way around and