DOL

the guarino twins visited yellowstone national park with there family last summer they had to wait one and one half hours to see old faithful erupt

When the Guarino twins visited Yellowstone National Park with their family last summer, they had to wait 1 1/2 hours to see Old Faithful erupt.

August 29th

English III- General

Today…

Turn in pages 13 & 15 Receive packet A- This packet goes

in your binder. Discuss pre-reading questions.

Tomorrow DOL Assign Parts Begin Reading Act 1

Friday COMPUTER LAB Vocabulary Quiz New Vocabulary Words Continue Act 1

Arthur Miller

Born in New York in 1915. His father was in the clothing

business, and, like many businessmen of his time, lost everything during the Depression.

The Millers moved to Brooklyn. This sudden change in social status and his young life in Brooklyn became the basis for many of his most famous works.

After high school, Miller worked as a singer on the radio, as a truck driver, and in an automobile-parts warehouse to save money for college.

Miller did not become interested in writng until after he graduated from high school in 1932.

The Brothers Karamazov by the Russian novelist Dostoevsky sparked his interest in literature.

He studied journalism at the University of Michigan and won several awards for playwriting.

After graduation, he joined the Federal Theatre Project (created by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to employ theater artists during the Depression) and wrote scripts for radio.

Because of a football injury, he was not drafted in World War II.

He married and continued his life in the theatre.

In 1949, he wrote Death of a Salesman, which established him as a major American playwright.

Miller was still writing plays up to the time of his death in February 2005 when he died of heart failure.

Book Summary

The Crucible (1953) was not received well by critics, and its first Broadway production was a flop. However, it became Miller’s most-produced play.

The play concerns a fictional account of the Salem witch trials, but it is also an allegory (a symbolic representation) for the House Un-American Activities Committee of the 1950’s, which Miller clearly saw as a “witch hunt.”

Miller himself was convicted of contempt for refusing to name other writers who were suspected of Communist activities.

Like the events in Salem, the accused had few options. They could either confess to a crime they often didn’t commit or be punished for contempt of court by not confessing.

Novel Setting The story takes place in Salem, Massachusetts,

in the year, 1692. In this time period, Salem is predominately

Puritan. Puritans fled England to escape religious persecution and to establish their own colony where they would be free to worship as they pleased.

Growing numbers of non-Puritan English merchants also populate the village, however, and this leads to tension and insecurity.

Puritans do not believe in recreation for amusement and are rather strict in their belief.

Wilderness borders Salem on the west. Fear of Indian attacks, wild animals, and

the other unknown evils that the Puritans believe inhabit the forest lead to a climate of unrest and fear.

You may notice grammatically incorrect speech in the play.

Forms of the verb be were used differently in the 1600’s than today.

In addition to grammatical changes, the title “Goody” may seem odd, but “Goody” is equal to our modern day title of “Mrs.”.

“Goody” was not used to indicate the moral integrity of the character mentioned.

Characters Reverend Samuel Parris

Controversial and insecure minister of Salem Betty Parris

10-year-old daughter of Rev. Parris. One of the first girls to be “afflicted.”

Tituba Negro slave brought from Barbados by Parris. She is

accused of witchcraft first and calls out the names of others in an attempt to save herself

Abigail Williams 17-year-old niece of Parris. An orphan, she lives with her

uncle. She leads the girls in their accusations. Susanna Walcott

Abigail’s friend, although slightly younger. She is one of the “afflicted”girls.

Mrs. Ann Putnam Wife of Thomas Putnam

Thomas Putnam Wealthy husband of Ann Putnam.

Mercy Lewis Servant for the Putnams. She is friends with Abigail and is one of

the “afflicted” girls. Mary Warren

Meek and insecure servant for the Proctors. Also friends with Abigail and is one of the “afflicted.”

John Proctor Farmer and protagonist in the play. He is a tragic hero and the first

to expose the girls as frauds. Rebecca Nurse

Elderly, sweet, respected figure of 72 years. She seems to be the voice of reason and calm in the community.

Giles Corey Cantankerous, elderly gentleman of 83 years who often sues his

neighbors. He is a man of principles and dies rather than sell out a friend.

Reverend John Hale An expert on witches called in from neighboring Beverly by Parris.

Elizabeth Proctor Dutiful, faithful, though often chilly, wife of John Proctor

Francis Nurse Husband of Rebecca. A sweet, elderly man.

Ezekiel Cheever Clerk of the court that serves arrest warrants.

Marshal Herrick Constable of the jail. Often drunk.

Judge Hathorne Presiding judge over the trials.

Deputy Governor Danforth

Deputy Governor of MA. He presides over the hearings and is more interested in order

than justice. Sarah Good

Homeless woman, one of the first accused. She confesses in a hope to save herself.

Hopkins Jail guard.

Synopsis

Read in class (packet A, page 8)

Today and Tomorrow…

Assign Parts Begin reading Act I