Fact or Fiction: The Crucible

The Crucible accurately depicts ALL the real historical figures and events surrounding the Salem Witch Trials.

• FACT

• FICTION

Answer explanation

FICTION: Arthur Miller combined and altered characters for dramatic purposes.

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John Proctor was in his mid-30s and had an affair with Abigail Williams, a 17-year-old girl.

• FACT

• FICTION

Answer explanation

• FICTION:

• John Proctor was about 60 years old, and Abigail Williams was around 11 during the trials.

• There is NO historical evidence of an affair between them.

Arthur Miller just added this to add more drama to his play.

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CCSS.RL.7.9

CCSS.RL.8.9

In 1692, Tituba was the first to be accused of witchcraft in Salem.

• FACT

• FICTION

Answer explanation

FACT:

Tituba, along with Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne, were among the first accused.

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CCSS.RL.8.9

The Salem Witch Trials resulted in the execution of 20 people total.

• FACT

• FICTION

Answer explanation

FACT:

The Salem Witch Trials resulted in the execution of 20 people.

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The majority of the accused witches were women.

• FACT

• FICTION

Answer explanation

FACT: Most of the accused were women, reflecting the gender biases of the time.

While exact numbers vary among sources, it's estimated that about 78% of the accused were women, and 22% were men (HistoryofMassachusetts.org)

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200 total men and women were hanged during the Salem Witch Trials.

• FACT

• FICTION

Answer explanation

FICTION: In Salem, around 200 were accused, 19 were hanged (men and women), and 1 man was pressed to death: NONE were burned at the stake.

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The court in Salem used spectral evidence, which allowed claims of seeing spirits as valid testimony, despite not having any evidence.

• FACT

• FICTION

Answer explanation

FACT: Spectral evidence was a significant part of the trials.

• Spectral evidence was used from March 1692 to October 1692, during the peak of the trials. That’s roughly 7 months!

• Who FINALLY banned it?

  • Governor William Phips (Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony). AFTER his own wife was accused, he stepped in and prohibited further arrests and discredited spectral evidence as a valid form of proof.

Reverend Parris was a central figure in both The Crucible and the actual trials.

• FACT

• FICTION

Answer explanation

FACT: Reverend Samuel Parris played a significant role in the historical trials, very similar to what you see in The Crucible.

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The trials ended because the accusers started accusing powerful people, which led to skepticism.

• FACT

• FICTION

Answer explanation

FACT: Accusations against prominent individuals, including the governor's wife, led to increased skepticism and the leaders ending the trials.

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Elizabeth Proctor was hanged for witchcraft.

• FACT

• FICTION

Answer explanation

FICTION:

Elizabeth Proctor was arrested AND convicted but not executed; her execution was delayed due to pregnancy, and she was eventually released when the Witch Trials ended. But, her husband was hanged just like in the movie.

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