Jenny Jules Tituba A production by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Gielgud Theatre in London's West End in 2006 was recorded for the Victoria and Albert Museum's National Video Archive of Performance.[33]. ThoughtCo. More than two centuries later, Arthur Miller was born in New York City on October 17, 1915. [30], William Tuckett presented a ballet at The Royal Ballet in London in 2000 to a collage of music by Charles Ives with designs by Ralph Steadman. [26], The play's action takes place 70 years after the community arrived as settlers from Britain. John even cries at one point, 'Oh, Elizabeth, your justice would freeze beer!' 823 pages, LOA books are distributed worldwide by Penguin Random House. She believes witchcraft is the cause for her children never living long enough to be baptized. Both men were subsequent Deputy Governors, but it was Stoughton (who, alone among the judges, was a bachelor who never married[20]) who ordered further deliberations after the jury initially acquitted Rebecca Nurse. Ann Putnam upholds this statement when one of the first comments she makes is asking, "how high did Betty fly, how high?" All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. [22] In the play, Thomas and especially Ann Putnam are disconsolate over the fact that only one of their children has survived to adolescence. she delights in the accusations of Goody Osbourne; She blames Osbourne for the death of her children because she was a midwife to her a total of three times. Witnessing the . The play was adapted by composer Robert Ward as an opera, The Crucible, which was first performed in 1961 and received the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Music[29] and the New York Music Critics' Circle Award. Yet, is as much a product of the time in which Arthur Miller wrote it - the early 1950s - as it is description of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman stems from both Arthur Miller's personal experiences and the theatrical traditions in which the playwright was schooled. Arthur Miller chose an extraordinary era in American culture to search out the moral dilemmas of his age and in an impressive run of more than two decades, he held the spotlight as the most. Reverend Hale arrives and begins his investigation. Willy Loman, the titular character in "Death of a Salesman," spent his whole life pursuing what he thought was the American Dream. He has won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (for Angels in America: Millennium Approaches), two Tony Awards for Best Play, two Obie Awards, and two Drama Desk Awards; his screenplay for the film Munich was nominated for an Academy Award. succeed. They were wealthy but lost . Knowing in his heart that it is the wrong thing for him to do, John agrees to falsely confess to engaging in witchcraft, deciding that he has no desire or right to be a martyr. When they're caught in the act of dancing, two of the young girls pretend to be ill to avoid punishment. John Hale Willy Loman's American Dream. The reader gets to see a dramatized version of what occurred during that fateful time, a world where gossip and sensationalism combined with personal vengeance lead to wild accusations of witchcraft and unholy acts. Parris' house. While this plot becomes clear to the audience throughout the play, Abigail succeeds in hoodwinking the town and its officials. Foreword (After the Fall) Based on Miller's own experiences, the play focuses on a group of desperate workers earning their livings in a Brooklyn automobile parts warehouse during the Great Depression in the 1930s, a time of 25 percent unemployment in the United States. memorable characters created by arthur miller. The men argue until Proctor renounces his confession entirely, ripping up the signed document. [23][24], In the 1953 essay, "Journey to The Crucible", Miller writes of visiting Salem and feeling like the only one interested in what really happened in 1692. Along with Death of a Salesman (his most enduring success), All My Sons and The Man Who Had All the Luck form a thematic trilogy of plays about love triangles involving fathers and sons. Be liked and you will never want." While most readers feel at least a little bit of sympathy for Ann, she lets her sorrow turn into malignancy and that's tough for the reader to absorb. He is best known for Death of a Salesman (1949). "Famous Quotes from 'Death of a Salesman' by Arthur Miller." After John Proctor confesses to committing adultery with Abigail, Hale breaks with the court, saying, 'I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!' Yet, it is Charley who has his own business and not Willy. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Barbara Stanton Susanna Walcott Lauren has taught English at the university level and has a master's degree in literature. He sold nameless, unidentified products, and watched his American Dream fall apart. It is a historical-fiction story set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Giles Corey submits his own deposition, accusing Thomas Putnam of forcing his daughter to accuse George Jacobs in order to buy up his land (as convicted witches have to forfeit all of their property). It is almost as if she has been waiting this whole time, thinking of and regretting the deaths of her seven babies, for something to come up that just makes sense for it all. [Arthur Miller] looked with compassion into the hearts of some ordinary Americans and quietly transferred their hope and anguish to the theatre.Brooks Atkinson, The New York Times, Arthur Miller at 100: a loving embrace of humanitys frailties, Laurence Senelick on the plays of Arthur Millers middle phase, experimentalism in theater, and (of course) Marilyn Monroe. Willy: Thats just what I mean, Bernard can get the best marks in school, yunderstand, but when he gets out in the business world, yunderstand, you are going to be five times ahead of him. In 1949, Miller won the PulitzerPrize for Drama for this controversial play. Frank Raiter Francis Nurse Jacqueline Andre Tituba John is reluctant, fearing that doing so will require him to publicly reveal his past adultery. Arthur Miller was born in Manhattan in 1915 to Jewish immigrant parents. Up From Paradise (1974) After the Fall (1964) At the end of the play, the court officials try to get him to confess in order to save his life. Giles Corey was tortured to death by pressing as the court tried in vain to extract a plea; though by holding out, Giles ensured that his sons would receive his land and possessions. Tituba falsely confesses in order to save herself, and Hale enthusiastically calls for those she accused to be arrested and shackled. You take me, for instance. While it's filled with many figures who contribute to the story, we'll focus on the main characters, whose importance is determined partially by their stage time, as well as their role in the development of the plot. John, in despair and having given up all hope, declares that "God is dead", and is arrested. Request product #202392, ISBN: 978-1-59853-147-3 Danforth and Hale summon Elizabeth and ask her to persuade John to confess. Before Ruth, she went through seven different pregnancies with seven different babies that never lived a day past infancy. Despite his sons popularity in high school, Biff grows up to be a drifter and a ranch-hand. All My Sons, a drama about a manufacturer of faulty war materials, was strongly influenced by the naturalist drama of Henrik Ibsen. Explore the main characters of Arthur Miller's 1953 play, ''The Crucible.''. The Archbishops Ceiling (1977; revised 1984) Cheever is unconvinced and prepares to arrest Elizabeth. Betty then faints back into unconsciousness. Ben Whishaw John Proctor Tituba counters that Abigail begged her to conjure a deadly curse. When Danforth threatens him with arrest for contempt, Giles argues that he cannot be arrested for "contempt of a hearing." "Famous Quotes from 'Death of a Salesman' by Arthur Miller." Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Miller followed Death of a Salesman with his most politically significant work, The Crucible (1953), a tale of the Salem witch trials that contains obvious analogies to the McCarthy anti-Communist hearings in 1950s America. Cheever picks up the poppet on Elizabeth's table and finds a needle inside. This volume is available for adoption in the Guardian of American Letters Fund. Bens character signifies that a few people can achieve the rags to riches version of the American Dream. Arthur Miller: Collected Playsthe second volume in the definitive Library of America edition of the works of the essential American dramatistpresents fourteen memorable plays, from Broadway hits to previously unpublished rarities, offering an unprecedented look at Millers extraordinary middle phase. The remainder of Act One is set in the attic of local preacher Reverend Samuel Parris. Arthur Miller: Collected Playsthe second volume in the definitive Library of America edition of the works of the essential American dramatistpresents fourteen memorable plays, from Broadway hits to previously unpublished rarities, offering an unprecedented look at Miller's extraordinary middle phase. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. A storm the previous night has shorn in half a tree that is revealed to memorialize Larry Keller, one of two . It is revealed that Abigail once worked as a servant for the Proctors, and that she and John had an affair, for which she was fired. Authors Production Note (The Price) The village has become dysfunctional with so many people in prison or dead, and with the arrival of news of rebellion against the courts in nearby Andover, whispers abound of an uprising in Salem. Jordan has taught English 10 & 11, Creative Writing, Speech, and Mythology for the past 6 years. Here, he is expressing his guilt for playing a role in the execution of the innocent. Danforth refuses, stating that pardons or postponement would cast doubt on the veracity of previous confessions and hangings. Bradford, Wade. In a way, Ben embodies the original American Dreamthe ability to start with nothing and somehow make a fortune: Willy is envious of his brothers success and machismo. When the young playwright Arthur Miller began writing All My Sons, he was embarking on a project that would be either the beginning or the end of his career. After seven previews, a Broadway revival directed by Arvin Brown opened on January 26, 1976, at the Playhouse Theatre where, paired this time with 27 Wagons Full of Cotton by Tennessee Williams, it ran for 67 performances. Tina Benko Ann Putnam / Sarah Good By contrast, The Archbishops Ceiling (1977)set in an ornate apartment in eastern Europe that may or may not be buggedis as intricately plotted and psychologically complex as a spy thriller. Create your account, 7 chapters | One person Willy really admires and wishes he was more like is his older brother Ben. Arthur . He presses Danforth to pardon the remaining seven and put the entire affair behind them. She makes ferocious accusations against her neighbors for seemingly no reason other than her dislike for them. Parris on the night of Betty Parris' alleged 'bewitchment'. Discover the personalities, actions, and interactions of Abigail, John Proctor, Reverend Parris, Reverend Hale, and Elizabeth Proctor. He is the uncle to Abigail Williams and the father of Betty, one of the girls who feigns illness. She implores John to go to court and tell the judges that Abigail and the rest of the girls are pretending. After divorcing Monroe, Miller wed Ingeborg Morath, to whom he remained married until his death in 2005. Ann Putnam is jealous of Rebecca Nurse because Rebecca has eleven children who've lived into adulthood and twenty-six grandchildren who are well and healthy also. Also in 1956, Miller married actress Marilyn Monroe. Tom Aldredge Giles Corey Fred Stewart Rev. As the curtain closes, the three continue with their accusations as Hale orders the arrest of the named people and sends for judges to try them. At Elizabeth's urging, John tells Hale he knows that the girl's afflictions are fake. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. During the 1950's in America, McCarthyism arose as a judicial doctrine antagonizing any Americans suspected of sympathizing with Communist ideas. Time and again, he wants to make sure his boys are well-liked and popular. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/the-american-dream-in-death-of-a-salesman-2713536. Jason Butler Harner Rev. A champion of Americas great writers and timeless works, Library of America guides readers in finding and exploring the exceptional writing that reflects the nations history and culture. She discovers her husband's affair with Abigail and dismisses the girl from her job as their servant. During his lifetime, he was responsible for writing several plays. An error occurred trying to load this video. 7 chapters | John refuses, saying he can only report on his own sins. Not affiliated with Harvard College. This Library of America series edition is printed on acid-free paper and features Smyth-sewn binding, a full cloth cover, and a ribbon marker. Willy believes that charming personality, and not necessarily hard work and innovation, is the key to success. The pair had a son and a daughter. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/death-of-a-salesman-quotes-739453. Subscribers can purchase the slipcased edition by signing in to their accounts. Lauren has taught English at the university level and has a master's degree in literature. Abigail Williams' age was increased from 11 or 12[17] to 17, probably to add credence to the backstory of Proctor's affair with Abigail. But Willys wife Linda, one of the characters who can actually distinguish from true and superficial values, is frightenedand concerned when Ben stops by for a brief visit. The play is about 1930s America during The Great Depression. She enjoys all things creative, reading, writing, researching, editing, and teaching. "I'm the New England man. The witch hunt described in this play is similar to the Red Scare, an anti-communist movement led by . Tony Kushner, editor, is one of Americas most acclaimed playwrights. Miller adapted the play for a 1971 television movie directed by Paul Bogart, A Memory of Two Mondays. His career as a playwright began while he was a student at the University of Michigan. Liam Neeson John Proctor The Crucible a play in which Arthur Miller changes some events of the Salem witch trials of 1692 to the problems that were happening in his own society. Authors Note (Some Kind of Love Story; Elegy for a Lady) Ann Putnam is jealous of Rebecca Nurse because she was able to have multiple healthy children. Tituba breaks down and falsely claims that the Devil is bewitching her and others in town. She lashes out at several people, but the one who gets it the worst is Rebecca Nurse: Salem's gentle, good-natured elderly resident. In his novel, Dickens creates characters that are very real and prominent. Willys own career falters as his sales ability flat-lines. Living through young adulthood during the Great Depression, Miller was shaped by the poverty that surrounded him. Samuel Parris Patrice Johnson Tituba The Crucible is a 1953 play by American playwright Arthur Miller.It is a dramatized and partially fictionalized story of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during 1692-93. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. As the facts emerge, Abigail claims Tituba forced her to drink blood. Miller won a Tony Award for Death of a Salesman as well as a Pulitzer Prize. The villagers, who had not heard the argument, assume that the singing of the psalm by the villagers in a room below had caused Betty's screaming. Brian Murray Deputy Governor Danforth The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a fictional play based on the Salem witch trials which took place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Danforth then informs an unaware John that Elizabeth is pregnant, and promises to spare her from execution until the child is born, hoping to persuade John to withdraw his case. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Mary tells that thirty-nine have been arrested so far accused as witches, and they might be hanged. At the end, the fire of the witch trials cannot be contained. Like The Creation of the World and Other Business (1972), a catastrophic comedy about Adam, Eve, and original sin updated for modern times, the witty Up from Paradise (1974) treats characteristically grand themes in what was for Miller an uncharacteristically comedic and musical vein. Miller felt that this production was too stylized and cold, and the reviews for it were largely hostile (although The New York Times noted "a powerful play [in a] driving performance"). Parris, Abigail and Tituba closely over the girls' activities in the woods. I highly recommend you use this site! I feel like its a lifeline. The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller that was first produced in 1953, is based on the true story of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Arthur Miller was one of the leading American playwrights of the twentieth century. Additionally, fears of Satanism taking place after incidents in Europe and the colonies are compared to fears of Communism following its implementation in Eastern Europe and China during the Cold War. Taken together, the plays in this collection trace the remarkable, evolving range of Millers genius as he experimented with new forms and themes. [1] Based on Miller's own experiences, the play focuses on a group of desperate workers earning their livings in a Brooklyn automobile parts warehouse during the Great Depression in the 1930s, a time of 25 percent unemployment in the United States. Betty suddenly rises and begins mimicking Abigail's movements and words, and accuses George Jacobs. Ann Putnam is well-known in the town as a hysterical, dramatic gossip, and jealous woman. From here, Abigail leads this same group of girls in a fury of witchcraft accusations that rock the town of Salem. Instead, Charley and Bernard are both honest, caring, and hard-working without the unnecessary bravado. flashcard sets. Arthur Kennedy John Proctor This doctrine led to the formation of the House Un-American Activities . Plot. By 1928, the family had moved to Brooklyn, after their garment manufacturing business began to fail. He then orders that all ninety-one persons named in the deposition be arrested for questioning. Don McHenry Ezekiel Cheever The work grew out of Millers fascination with Red Hook, a Brooklyn neighborhood only a few blocks away from Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. society. Angered that Mary is neglecting her duties, John threatens to beat her. Miller's first play to make it to Broadway, The Man Who Had All the Luck (1944), was a dismal failure, closing after only four performances. memorable characters created by arthur millerbritool tools catalogue. When Danforth begins to question Abigail, she claims that Mary has begun to bewitch her with a cold wind and John loses his temper, calling Abigail a whore. Laura Linney Elizabeth Proctor In part due to Ann Putnam's taste for drama, the Salem Witch Trials were able to capitalize on the frantic fear of witchcraft and more than twenty people ended up hanged or dead. In their last moments together, Elizabeth apologizes to John, 'I never knew how I should say my love. John submits Mary's deposition, which declares that she was coerced to accuse people by Abigail. When Hale questions her, Elizabeth is angered that he does not question Abigail first. This production was directed by Ivo van Hoveand featured an original score composed by Philip Glass. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. All rights reserved. A fifty-page selection of Millers notes and essays on the playsincluding a thoroughgoing critique of Method acting, never before publishedrounds out the volume. Time and again, he wants to make sure his boys are well-liked and popular. When people feel sick, they often don't like the sound of unwanted noise disturbing them. No character is in the play who did not take a similar role in Salem, 1692. Important Persons in the Salem Court Records, The Creation of the World and Other Business, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Crucible&oldid=1134570964, CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown, Wikipedia pages semi-protected against vandalism, Pages using infobox play with unknown parameters, Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from January 2023, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2023, All articles that may contain original research, Articles that may contain original research from January 2023, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2021, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from June 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 19 January 2023, at 09:32. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. John Proctor has particular animosity for him. Among those are two well-known plays, The Crucible, and Death. Danforth is disappointed by this reluctance, but at the urging of Hale and Parris, allows John to sign a written confession, to be displayed on the church door as an example. Ann had many miscarriages, eventually had one child who lived past her toddler stage, but she wanted many more. Mrs. Putnam disagrees: she determines that Betty covers her ears because she cannot stand to hear the name of Jesus being praised. She leads a group of girls into the woods to dance with Tituba, her uncle's slave. But instead, Willy pursued an empty life. This title is out of stock and a reprint has not yet been scheduled. Danforth and Hathorne have returned to Salem to meet with Parris, and are surprised to learn that Hale has returned and is meeting with the condemned. To the protagonist of "Death of a Salesman," the American Dream is the ability to become prosperous by mere charisma. Bradford, Wade. A posse led by clerk Ezekiel Cheever and town marshal George Herrick arrive soon afterwards and present a warrant for Elizabeth's arrest, much to Hale's surprise. Act 1. Danforth, Hathorne, and a relieved Parris ask John to testify to the guilt of the other hold-outs and the executed. Hale, deeply remorseful and blaming himself for the hysteria, has returned to counsel the condemned to falsely confess and avoid execution. John Proctor, a local farmer and husband of Elizabeth, enters. His ten-year-old daughter, Betty Parris, lies motionless. Paul O'Brien Thomas Putnam Miller refused to name people he allegedly saw at a Communist writers' meeting a decade before, and he was convicted of contempt. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He is the author of " Death of a Salesman ," which won the 1949 Pulitzer Prize in drama, and " The Crucible ." Herrick also attests to John's truthfulness as well. 1955 one-act play written by Arthur Miller, 1955 production at the Internet Theatre Database, 1976 production at the Internet Theatre Database listing, The Creation of the World and Other Business, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A_Memory_of_Two_Mondays&oldid=1106628241, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Leonardo Cimino and Roy Poole, nominees), Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Alice Drummond, nominee), Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Play (nominee), Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design (nominee), Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lighting Design (nominee), Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design (nominee), Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival (nominee), This page was last edited on 25 August 2022, at 16:05. Parris issued his first in a series of apologies on November 26, 1694, and was removed from his position in 1697. After reading about the behaviour of certain people living at that time, Miller was able to create characters who could at once capture the mass hysteria of Salem in 1692 and the contemporary American scenario. More books than SparkNotes. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/the-american-dream-in-death-of-a-salesman-2713536. John is shocked but determines the truth must prevail, whatever the personal cost. Authors Note (The Poosidins Resignation) An error occurred trying to load this video. Hale questions Rev. She proves she does not actually care for the sickness Betty Parris endures by only asking about how high she flew the moment she enters the room, rather than showing concern for her health. Reverend Parris seems to care more about his salary and having gold candlesticks on his pulpit than he does about ministering to his flock. Abigail, fearful of the consequences, steals Parris's life savings and disappears on a ship to England with Mercy Lewis. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 She claims they were murdered by sweet Rebecca, and gets the teenage girls to cry that Rebecca is a witch. Conditions of Freedom: Two Plays of the Seventies (Archbishops Ceiling; The American Clock) Rather, what it condemns is the confusion that enters when people take the material success for the end-all-be-all and elevate it above spirituality, connection with nature, and, most importantly, relationships with others. [22] Rev. With prompting from Hale and Putnam, Tituba accuses Sarah Osborne and Sarah Good of witchcraft. Miller wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism, when the United States government persecuted people accused of being communists. It follows Newman, a personnel manager for a large New York A View from the Bridge is one of Arthur Millers most famous plays, renowned for its intensity of passion and echoes of Greek tragedy. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. Arthur Miller plays20 full-length dramas and several one-actsform one of the greatest bodies of work of the American stage. Arthur Miller, The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts 149 likes Like "You can't eat the orange and throw the peel away - a man is not a piece of fruit." Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman: Text and Criticism 149 likes Like "The two most common elements in the world are hydrogen and stupidity." Arthur Miller 140 likes Like The character, in Arthur Miller's "The Crucible", who holds a sexually motivated goal for accusing others, is Abigail Williams. Parris Jim Norton Giles Corey The protagonist frequently puts both of them down, promising his sons that they will do better in life than their neighbors because they look better and are more liked. "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller tells the tale of the Salem Witch Trials, which occurred during the early 1690s and sent a total of twenty-five people to their deaths; Nineteen were hanged, five passed away while in prison, and one was pressed to death for refusing to give information. Walter Hampden Deputy Governor Danforth Loman represents an American archetype: a victim of his own delusions of grandeur and obsession with success, and haunted by a sense of failure. Happy, despite being a more static and one-sided character, is following in Willy's footsteps of self-delusion and pretenses. Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. The narration at the opening of the play states that Salem was overrun by characters who had a "predilection for minding other people's business." A 1968 production starred George C. Scott as John Proctor, Colleen Dewhurst (Scott's wife at the time) as Elizabeth Proctor, Melvyn Douglas as Thomas Danforth, and Tuesday Weld as Abigail Williams. A Memory of Two Mondays is a one-act play by Arthur Miller. He mentions that Rebecca Nurse was also named, but admits that he doubts her a witch due to her extreme piousness, though he emphasizes that anything is possible. Tavi Gevinson Mary Warren At the end of the play, after she has endured many months in prison and just before John is hanged, we see her soften and let out her warmth. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Mrs. Putnam eventually takes her obsession to the brink when she accuses Rebecca Nurse of witchcraft. Early Years. He tells her, 'I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again.' People like John and Elizabeth Proctor live with and participate in the consequences of these combined forces. She is not sure who enchanted her babies, but she capitalizes on the cries of witchcraft and intends to do everything she can to find out. Be liked and you will never want. Three years after The Crucible, in 1956, Miller found himself persecuted by the very force that he warned against, when he was called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you [5] A year later a new production succeeded and the play became a classic. Review Ann Putnam in ''The Crucible.'' The novel is set in Victorian England and reflects what life was like during this period of great social and economic change. Mrs. Putnam shows her flair for melodrama and bitter nature by lashing out at undeserving people like Rebecca Nurse and Goody Osbourne. https://www.thoughtco.com/the-american-dream-in-death-of-a-salesman-2713536 (accessed March 4, 2023). She has difficulty accepting that the death of her babies might just be due to natural causes and the difficulty of childbirth, and not because of witchcraft. He was cited for contempt of Congress for refusing to .