English Year 7 - Salem: Home

Salem
In early 1692, Betty Parris and Abigail Williams (the daughter and niece of Samuel Parris, the new Minister) became ill. The girls screamed, contorted their bodies into peculiar positions, uttered strange noises and appeared to hallucinate. The doctor attending them, finding no obvious cause, diagnosed bewitchment. At this time, there was a strong belief in witches and the idea that innocents were possessed by the devil terrified the local community. Rivalries over land, warring tribes, and controversy surrounding the new Minister (who was thought by some to be greedy and of overly-rigid opinions) also contributed to an atmosphere of fear and suspicion which was then attributed to the work of the Devil. Ultimately, 19 people were executed for witchcraft. With the village of Salem engulfed in fear, what is at the heart of the accusations and hysteria?

Glossary List

● Analyse: examine (something) methodically and in detail, typically in order to explain and interpret it

● Characterisation: how an actor uses body, voice, and thought to develop and portray a character

● Dialogue: spoken conversation used by two or more characters to express thoughts, feelings, and actions

● Dramatic features: these are essential elements of a play that can be changed to shape and enhance meaning

● Dramatic form: drama script

● Language Choices: the writer’s use of language, sentence structure, literary devices and more

● Playwright: a person who writes a play

● Prologue: a speech which introduces a play

● Movement: stage blocking or the movements of the actors onstage during performance; also refers to the action of the play as it moves from event to event

● Script: the written dialogue, description, and directions provided by the playwright

● Stage directions: instructions in the script that tell the actors what to do and where to move on stage; may also provide information about the setting

In January of 1692, the daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris of Salem Village became ill. William Griggs, the village doctor, was called in when they failed to improve. His diagnosis of bewitchment put into motion the forces that would ultimately result in the hanging deaths of 19 men and women. In addition one man was pressed to death; several others died in prison, and the lives of many were irrevocably changed...continue reading...