In the year 1692, mass hysteria broke out in the town of Salem. The townsfolk were convinced that they were in danger of bewitchment due to a young girl’s lie. Arthur Miller accurately portrays these events in his play, The Crucible. One of the characters who remains the same from history to the play is a Barbados slave by the name of Tituba. Tituba is a compelling fictional character because, as a historical figure, she played an important role in the (Salem Witch) Trials.
Tituba is an intriguing figure because she was the first to be accused of witchcraft in Salem. Because of her status as Rev. Parris’s slave, Tituba was often blamed for misfortunes. In Miller’s play, she is not surprised when Parris’s niece, Abigail Williams, claims that she was using Barbados magic to conjure spirits of the dead. At the very beginning of Act One, the stage directions read: “she is also very frightened because her slave sense has warned her that, as always, trouble in this house eventually lands on her back.” (Miller, 8-9) …show more content…
In the introduction, Christopher Bigsby writes, “Tituba, in all probability practicing voodoo on that night in 1692.” (Miller, x) Historical records show that she did not practice Voodoo, but it is likely that she followed an indigenous spiritual path, setting her apart from the Puritans of Salem. Tituba, along with other girls in the village, danced in the woods where Rev. Parris found them; these events are referred to in the play, though not shown. To the people of Salem, dancing is related to conjuring and Pagan Magic – Pagan being any practice or religion other than Christianity – and was unacceptable behavior at the
Tituba is an intriguing figure because she was the first to be accused of witchcraft in Salem. Because of her status as Rev. Parris’s slave, Tituba was often blamed for misfortunes. In Miller’s play, she is not surprised when Parris’s niece, Abigail Williams, claims that she was using Barbados magic to conjure spirits of the dead. At the very beginning of Act One, the stage directions read: “she is also very frightened because her slave sense has warned her that, as always, trouble in this house eventually lands on her back.” (Miller, 8-9) …show more content…
In the introduction, Christopher Bigsby writes, “Tituba, in all probability practicing voodoo on that night in 1692.” (Miller, x) Historical records show that she did not practice Voodoo, but it is likely that she followed an indigenous spiritual path, setting her apart from the Puritans of Salem. Tituba, along with other girls in the village, danced in the woods where Rev. Parris found them; these events are referred to in the play, though not shown. To the people of Salem, dancing is related to conjuring and Pagan Magic – Pagan being any practice or religion other than Christianity – and was unacceptable behavior at the