Crucible Pre-Reading: Think Like a Puritan
Objective: Identifying Puritan beliefs/customs
Using context clues to identify correct terminology
Directions: Understanding Puritanism will help you to understand how mass hysteria and the Salem witch trials occurred. Read the following information about Puritan life. Fill in the blanks with appropriate terms using context clues. Some answers are provided for you. They are written in boldface below.
church carpentry enforce help prayer Puritan
different sleeping Garden opinions women services
girls chores obey gambling sickness fish
Scriptures theocracy will vote Devil sins
misfortune emotions men plainness drunkenness smart
frowned adults Sabbath hunt Bible sew
pray cook play adultery Salem clothing
winters wash twice hanged witchcraft
Pretend you live in America in the 1600s. As a 17th century ______, your life
centers around the church, as it serves as the center of town and the place where news is received. Everyone must attend church on the ______because it is against the law not to attend. Men and ______sit on opposite sides of the church and endure long ______on hard pews. In addition to church on Sundays, family prayer is also important. It is recommended that your family hear the ______read ______daily. Every family member should also ______everyday, and the parents teach the ______to their children.
You believe just as much in the ______as you do in God. all ______must be punished no matter how big or small, such as stealing food or ______in church. When crops fail or someone is sick, you do not help because you believe that it is God’s _____ and that ______is punishment for bad behavior.
Your government is a ______, meaning that the government centers around the church. It is the government’s duty to enforce obedience to God. Only church members can ______in elections. Punishable offences include: theft, breaches of the Sabbath, blasphemy, murder, ______, ______, ______and participation in theatrical performances.
You are dressed in dark, somber ______because it is dictated by the church. ______and simplicity are valued in religious worship, writing, and lifestyle. Individual differences are ______upon.
______are stronger than women and children because Eve was the first to sin in the ______of Eden. Women ______their husbands and do not voice their ______because they are not regarded as ______.
Children follow the same rules as the ______. They too attend long church services, do ______, and try not to show their ______, such as anger, excitement, or fear. Children rarely ______because toys and games are scarce and are considered sinful distractions. Young ______help their mothers tend the house, ______, ______, and ______. Boys, on the other hand, work as apprentices to learn carpentry,
for example. They also are allowed to explore the outdoors, ______, and ______.
As you can see, your life as a Puritan would have been very ______. Along with strict religion, you would endure harsh ______, droughts, failed crops, invasions, and ______. In the midst of these difficulties, the ______witchcraft trials occurred. At least 150 people were accused of ______, and 20 people were ______.