THE CRUCIBLE
THE WRITER
The Crucible is written by the American playwright Arthur Asher Miller in 1953. He was born on October 17, 1915, in Harlem, New York City. The Crucible was based on a series of infamous witch trials which took place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Arthur Miller studied witch trials in his collage history course. Arthur Miller lived through a witch-hunt in the United States in the 50’s with the hunt for communists, a movement known as
McCarthyism
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The Puritans were extremely zealous and anti-catholic, and sought to reform England. However, they were a minority, and so when they had exhausted their attempts to save England, they set their sights on the New World, namely North America. The settlement of Salem in Massachusetts was as a result of this move.
In the village of Salem, the political
and religious spheres were very nearly one and the same. It is
generally accepted that Salem was a theocracy, as Miller explains in
the overture to the play. A theocracy is a system in which a society
is governed by religious rulers. 
THE PERIOD
In 1692, the United States of America was still a colony under the British Empire. In Salem Massachusetts, most of the people that made up the small town were known as Puritans – a collection of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th century.
Puritanism was a way of life governed by religious laws forbidding ‘vain enjoyment’ like dancing and music. Life was centred on the church. Education was based on the Bible and religious doctrine, whilst toys and dolls were banned. The Puritans placed focus on being ‘visibly godly’, and activities like witchcraft were expressly forbidden.
During this time the Salem witch trials occurred. The witch trials were a result of a few young girls falling ill, and then claiming to be possessed by the devil and accusing local people of practicing witchcraft. This caused mass hysteria and the commencement of the witch trials. The trials led to the hanging and imprisonment of many people.
Source: http://www.historyorb.com/events/date/1692
PLOT
THE SCENE
THE COSTUME
COSTUME AND DRESS IN THE 1600S
The Puritan people dressed extremely conservatively, in order to abide by the strict religious practices of their society. Women were expected to cover their bodies from their necks to their wrists and ankles. The colour schemes acceptable within the community were black, grey, brown and white.
The Puritans originated in England,
where 17th Century styles were lavish and extravagant.
While the Puritans did not entirely ignore the fashion of the day,
their religious views meant that their dress
was often more practical
than fashionable.
JhON PROCTOR nelson menell
ABIGAIL WILLIAMS andrea columbo
REVEREND PARRIS TAILYN RAMSAMY
elizabeth proctor nicola moerman
BETTY PARRIS NOXOLO BLANDILE
GILES CORREY MATTHEW STUURMAN
REVEREND HALE
TAZME PILLAY
