Something spooky is going on down in the Drama department. Whispers of talking cats and dancing in the woods – no it’s not the weekly departmental meeting it’s the wonderful play The Crucible by Arthur Millar.

The Crucible takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. The action begins in the home of Reverend Parris, whose daughter Betty lies unconscious and appears very ill. Around midnight the night before, Parris had discovered Betty, his niece Abigail, and Tituba, his black slave, dancing in the woods, causing Betty to swoon. The local physician is unable to determine the cause of Betty’s illness. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam arrive and reveal that their daughter Ruth is also ill. There is talk in the village of an unnatural cause.

If you want to do a bit of research on the topic and the time – take a look at these resources.

www.sparknotes.com/lit/crucible/
Analysis of the text

http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/salem.htm
Useful background on the Salem witch trials.

www.localhistories.org/colonial.html
Dull looking web site with decent basic information on Colonial food and housing and fashion etc.

www.shmoop.com/colonial-new-england/
Colonial New England

www.salem.org/
Tourist web site for today’s Salem

www.nationalgeographic.com/salem/
Spooky interactive web site about the trials.