Introduction
Before beginning reading Arthur Miller's The Crucible, you need to know about:
- Arthur Miller
- Salem Witch Trials
- McCarthyism
- the definition of "crucible"
- The Overture
Task
You will read the material provided from the textbook and various links and achieve the following:
- Show your knowledge of Arthur Miller, McCarthyism, the Puritan Era, the Salem Witch Trials, and the play by completing...
- a crossword puzzle
- a question requiring one number
- two multiple choice questions
- an interactive "game" in which you learn whether or not YOU would have survived the Salem Witch Trials
Evidence of your work will be e-mailed to kgabbert@evdio.org
Process
I. Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller (1915–2005 ) was born in New York City. During his youth, his father's business failed as part of the general economic downturn known as the Great Depression. This failure had a permanent impact on Miller, who went on to write great plays on themes related to social and political justice. After graduating from high school, Miller worked and raised money to attend the University of Michigan. There he began writing plays. His most famous work, Death of a Salesman(1949), tells the story of the tragic downfall of its title character, partially as a result of his willingness to do anything for the "almighty dollar." The play is a classic exposé of the consequences of hypocrisy and greed. Miller's other plays include The Crucible (1953) and A View from the Bridge(1955). In addition to his plays for the stage, Miller has written screenplays, including the script for The Misfits, a film that starred his second wife, Marilyn Monroe, and the script for The Crucible, a film that starred Daniel Day Lewis.
II. The Puritan Lifestyle & the Salem Witch Trials
A. Puritan Lifestyle: http://www.ushistory.org/us/3d.asp
B. Salem Witch Trials: http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/education/index.php
C. Would you survive the Salem Witch Trials?
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/media/richmedia/0/210/project/newcountryroadframe.html
III. McCarthyism: http://www.ushistory.org/us/53a.asp
*MAKE SURE YOU ALSO READ & KNOW THE MATERIAL FROM YOUR READING HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: p. 1118-1125
Complete the crossword puzzle with numbered answers - you do not fill in the actual boxes.
Crossword Clues:
Across
4. last name of first historical woman to be tried for witchcraft
7. what McCarthy accused some Americans of being during the 1950s
8. another famous play by same author, Death of a __________
9. people accused one another during this play of being one of these
10. author of The Crucible
Down
1. village doctor who first diagnosed bewitchment
2. setting of the play in MA
3. last name of Miller's famous wife
5. first name of Miller's future son-in-law and the actor who played John Proctor
6. witch hunt for Communists during Miller's lifetime - named after senator
E-mail answers by numbering 1-10 in proper numerical order.
IV. the definition of "crucible"
11. Which definition of "crucible" BEST explains why Miller would have selected this as the play's title given what you have read about the play? Write the corresponding number.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crucible
V. Read The Overture of the play in your textbook p.1126-1129
12. What main idea does Miller express in the overture that we see evidenced in the play?
A. People used the witch accusations to seek revenge and personal gain.
B. People like to believe that they are inherently pure and their cohorts are inherently evil.
C. People grieve the loss of loved ones but overlook death if the dead is accused.
D. People do not succumb to a mob mentality except in a strict Puritan society.
13. Which of the following effectively paraphrases the paradox Miller identifies and describes in the overture?
A. Society depends on rules and may have good intentions but the rules can corrupt society when taken to extremes.
B. Witches and other supernatural creatures do exist but that does not mean they existed in Salem or that the people killed were witches.
C. People with money often control civilization but the money controls the people.
D. The play is based on two historical events simultaneously.
E. All of the above
14-15. Record your specific fate from your own Salem Witch Trial AND answer the final message conveyed to you.
II. C http://education.nationalgeographic.com/media/richmedia/0/210/project/newcountryroadframe.html
E-mail evidence of all work by the end of the class to kgabbert@evdio.org to earn the points.
Evaluation
Ultimately, you will e-mail your answers 1-15 to kgabbert@evdio.org to earn 15 possible points.
Conclusion
For further reading...
Arthur Miller's essay, "Why I Wrote The Crucible"
http://archives.newyorker.com/?i=1996-10-21#folio=158