Title: Understanding The crucible : a student casebook to issues, sources, and historical documents /
Authors: Johnson, Claudia D.; Johnson, Vernon E. 1921-
Publisher: Greenwood Press,
Year: 1998
Subjects: Miller, Arthur,; Miller, Arthur, Sources.; Historical drama, American History and criticism.; Hysteria (Social psychology) in literature.; Witchcraft Massachusetts Salem History.; Subversive activities United States; Witchcraft in literature.; Communism United States; Trials (Witchcraft) in literature.; Salem (Mass.) In literature.
Abstract: Ideal for student research and class discussion, this interdisciplinary casebook provides a rich variety of primary historical documents and commentary on The Crucible within the context of two relevant historical periods; the Salem witch trials of 1692 and the "Red Scare" of the 1950s, when the play was written. The authors provide literary and dramatic analysis of the play, comprehensive historical background, relevant documents of the periods, and questions and projects to help students in their understanding of The Crucible and the issues it raises.
Contents: Literary analysis -- Primed for hysteria: From: The new covenant (1654) / John Cotton -- Sinners in the hands of an angry God (1826) / Jonathan Edwards -- The Colonial laws of Massachusetts, reprinted from the edition of 1672 -- "Letter to the Reverend Mr. Increase Mather" (1683) / John Higginson -- An arrow against profane and promiscuous dancing (1684) / Increase Mather -- The day of doom (1666) / Michael Wigglesworth -- God's controversy with New England written in the time of the great drought anno 1662 / Michael Wigglesworth -- The history of the Indian wars in New England (1865) / William Hubbard -- Elegy upon the death of Mr. Thomas Shepard (1677) / Urian Oakes -- "The synod's work: The result of 1679," / Massachusettes General Court (1679) -- Witchcraft in Salem: From: "An account of the differences in Salem village," in Narratives of the witchcraft cases, 1648-1706 / George Lincoln Burr, ed. (1914) -- A brief and true narratives of some remarkable passages, in Burr's Narratives / Deodat Lawson -- More wonders of the invisible world, 1692, in The witchcraft delusion in New England, ed. Samuel G. Drake (1865) / Robert Calef -- "The deposition of Ann Putnam," in Charles Upham, Salem witchcraft (1867) -- "The confession of Anne Putnam, when she was received to communion, 1706," in Charles Upham Salem witchcraft (1867) -- "Examination of Giles Corey," in Drake's The witchcraft delusion -- "Giles Corey and Goodwyfe Corey," A ballad of 1692, in Drake's The witchcraft delusion -- More wonders of the invisible world, 1692, in Drake's The witchcraft delusion / Robert Calef -- "Petition for Rebecca Nurse" in Upham's Salem witchcraft -- "Letter of John Proctor," from Calef's More wonders of the invisible world, 1692, in Drake's The witchcraft delusion / John Proctor -- More wonders of the invisible world, 1692, in Drake's The witchcraft delusion / Robert Calef -- "The humble and sincere declaration," in Upham's Salem witchcraft.