Threateningthe American Dream: the Crucible

Threateningthe American Dream: The Crucible

Reading Guide for pages 1250-1255

(2)What is the difference between the previous drama and the drama of the 20th century?
(3)What experience gave Miller the original idea for The Crucible ?What aspects of this experience helped Miller connect the Salem of 1692 with the United States of the late 1940s and 1950s?
(4)What specific similarities does Miller see between the Salem witch trials of 1692 and the anticommunist hearings of the 1950s? Do you agree/disagree based on what you have read and your own prior knowledge?
(2)In what ways do you think these similarities have contributed to the fact that The Crucible is Miller’s most-produced play?
(2)Why do you think Miller was investigated for possible associations with the Communist party after the publication and production of The Crucible?

Clip # 1 (4 pts):

1. What evidence is presented to “prove” that the woman is a witch?

2. Would this evidence hold up in a court today?

3. What is the purpose of this clip?

4. What does the clip prove about “witch hunts”?

Salem Witch Trail Video:

(2) What were the first settlers (the Puritans) searching for when they first came to the new world? What is this ironic?
(2) How did the Putnam family play a role in the witch trials?
(2) Why is Paris’ involvement so notable?
(2) Is spectral evidence truly evidence (you may want to look up the definition)?
(2) Why would someone confess to being a witch? Would you? Explain
(2) What ethics are involved in the tourism of modern Salem?

AFTER VIEWING

(2) Explain why the people of Salem refused to talk about the witch trails until many years after the event occurred?

The “Haps” in Salem, Massachusetts

Directions: If a newspaper reporter traveled back in time and experienced life and witnessed the events that led up to the trials in The Crucible, what might they say? You are that reporter. You will be creating a newsletter/paper that reflects events and reactions to the events in The Crucible. Your job is to report the big news of the time period. Be specific and use details from the story.Remember to think about how the Puritans were expected to live and the motivation behind each character’s actions. Also think about what your objective is as a writer. You must…

Have AT LEAST 2 articles in your newspaper/letter and the articles must be TYPED.
One article should be written like a feature
The other article should be an interview with one of the characters. Think about what kinds of questions you may want to ask a character from the play. Then, write a Q & A interview with one of the characters from The Crucible. The interview should show the characters personality & involvement in the play. YOU MUST HAVE AT LEAST 6 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS!

Example:

Q: Abigail, why did you decide to allegedly “dance in the woods” with the other girls?

Abigail: Well, it all started when Elizabeth Proctor’s spector came and begged me to write in the devil’s book. I told her no, but she wouldn’t leave me alone. She made me dance in the woods! It was the devil’s doing! Not mine.

Appropriate graphics/pictures should accompany each article. AT LEAST 1 per article
Be creative!! This should LOOK like a newsletter or a newspaper! Don’t just print off the articles and turn them in, put some thought and time into making it look like a real paper.

**EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY**

Create a third, unique article that exhibits creativity and style (ex. A sports column; a religion beat; something creative) (up to 10 points)
Add some extra touches to your paper (ex. Want ads; the personals; advertisements)—up to 10 points—it’s gotta WOW me to get all 10 points!

CATEGORY / 4
Layout - Headlines & Captions / All articles have headlines that capture the reader's attention and accurately describe the content. All articles have a byline. All graphics have captions that adequately describe the people and action in the graphic.
Layout - Flag / The name of the newspaper is centered and is in a font that makes it stand out from other content. The date and edition of the newspaper appear below the name in a smaller font.
Spelling and Proofreading / No spelling or grammar errors remain after one or more people (in addition to the typist) read and correct the newspaper.
Articles - Purpose / 90-100% of the articles establish a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic.
Articles - Supporting Details / The details in the articles are clear, effective, and vivid 80-100% of the time.
Articles - Interest / The articles contain facts, figures, and/or word choices that make the articles exceptionally interesting to readers.
Graphics / Graphics are in focus, are well-cropped and are clearly related to the articles they accompany.
Who, What, When, Where & How / All articles adequately address the 5 W's (who, what, when, where and how).
Content - Accuracy / All facts in the newsletter are accurate.
Creativity / Student’s articles are an interpretation of the text, has a unique flair, does not use cliché or trite language, and has exceptional evidence of both time and thought
Total Points Possible 40
Requirements Checklist
Total points possible 40 points / 1 feature article (10 points)
1 interview in Q & A format (10 points)
Newspaper layout (5 points)
Typed articles (5 points)
2 graphics (10 points)
Overall Total points possible 80

DUE DATE:______-

The Crucible: Act I Study Guide (Not graded, but highly recommended)

Describe Rev. Parris’s feelings and tell what seems to motivate him.
Explain the paradox(a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true)from which the Salem tragedy developed.
What was the duty of the two-man patrol?
List all the conflicts in the Salem community that feed into the suspicions of witchcraft.
What opportunity did the witch hunt give everyone?
______and ______are sick:
Abigail first says…
Rev. Parris is concerned about…
The Putnams think…
Rebecca Nurse thinks…
Rev. Hale determines….
Abigail now says…
Tituba confesses…
The girl begin…
What really happened in the forest the night before the girls fell ill?
Abigail and the Proctors
What is her job?
Why is she fired?
How does she feel about John now?
How does she feel about Elizabeth now?

The Crucible Act 2 Study Guide (Not graded, but highly recommended)

What is the mood of the act?
Where has John been all day?
Where does Elizabeth think he has been
The trials in Salem
What does Elizabeth report?
What does she encourage John to do?
Why can’t John do as she asked?
What does Mary Warren report?
Who does Elizabeth has accused her?
What does she want John to do now?
Why does Mr. Hale come to visit?
Who does he address his questions?
What does this reveal about the culture?
What is ironic about the forgotten commandment?
A set up:
What does Mary Warren give Elizabeth?
What does Cheever come looking for?
Why is this item so special?
Why is Mary Warren afraid to tell the court the truth?
Was Mary Warren in on the plot?

Film Adaptations: your task is to modernize Act II of The Crucible for a modern day version of the movie. How would things change if this “witch hunt” were to happen in the modern world instead of 1692? The main plot will remain in tact, but your words and actions may change.

Main events of Act II you need to cover in your modernized version.

The tension between John and Elizabeth Proctor.

Ex. Elizabeth would not be as submissive to John in a modern society. She may have just gotten home from her job at the law office while John has just returned from a business trip. Elizabeth asks if John’s secretary, Abigail, went with him and John denies it (you may not use the example).

Mary Warren’s reports of the town events of the day/giving Elizabeth the poppet.
Rev. Hale coming to question the Proctors about their faith.
Cheever looking for the Poppet
Elizabeth being arrested and taken to prison.
John forcing Mary Warren to admit to giving the poppet to Elizabeth and Mary Warren afraid of Abigail.

Main Characters to be cast: (someone may need to play more than one role)

ElizabethJohnRev. HaleMary WarrenCheever

You will be graded on:

Participation: 20 points each day

Creativity 10 points

Accuracy 10 points

Interpretation 10 points

Enthusiasm/participation 5 points

Group evaluation 5 points

Props(extra credit)

Total points possible 40 points w/ up to 10 points extra credit

PEER EVALUATIONS: Modernizing Act II

As you watch the presentations, you should take notes and fill out this chart. You will rate each attribute on a scale of one (could use some work) to ten (awesome). Then add at least one SUBSTANTIAL comment in the comment box. REMEMBER, we are to be respectful and constructive in all feedback that we leave. If you are not, this will come back on you.

Name of group / Speech:
tone, speed, volume / Content: knowledgeable, prepared / Body language:
eye contact, appropriate motions / Comments:

Which group would you say had the best modernization? (you can say your own—but you need to EXPLAIN WHY?

Evaluate your Group Members!

Group member name ______

What significant contributions has this person made to the group ______

On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate their performance in the group? (1=oh please, they never read the book and made us do all the work 10= wow! I learned so much from this person’s insight and contributions! They couldn’t have done better!) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

The Crucible Act 3 study guide (Not graded, but highly recommended)

Giles and his wife
In what way does Giles feel responsible for the arrest of his wife?
What emotion is he struggling with as a result?
Why is Giles so good at writing depositions?
What were some of the strategies he tries to get her exonerated?
Why is he arrested?
Danforth
What is Danforth’s attitude toward the new evidence?
How many people signed the petition for Rebecca, Martha and Elizabeth?
Why is this significant?
Why are lawyers useless in a witch trail?
What crime has Mary Warren committed either in court or by writing the deposition?
What events had not been mentioned to Danforth until Mary Warren confessed?
Mary Warren Vs. Abigail
What is Mary Warren asked to do to prove that it was all pretend?
How does Abigail react to Danforth’s mistrust?
What does Proctor do to protect Mary Warren from the girls?
What is Elizabeth unable to do, according to Proctor?
What does Danforth ask Elizabeth?
How does she respond?
What does Abigail say she sees in the rafters?
How does Mary Warren react?
Who is condemned?
What does Hale do at the end of the act?

Define the three types of irony: (3 points)

Dramatic Irony:

Verbal Irony:

Situational Irony

Find at least 3 examples of IRONY in Act three. List and explain how they are ironic; include a page number (6 points)

The Crucible Act 4 study guide(Not graded, but highly recommended)

Revelations:
What does Parris reveal about Mercy and Abigail?
What does Parris see that makes him afraid to leave his house at night?
Hale:
Why does Hale want Danforth to postpone the hangings?
How has Hale changed from the beginning of the play?
What do Hale and Parris ask Elizabeth Proctor to do?
Proctor:
Why does John Proctor refuse to give his signed name to Danforth?
What happens as a result of his refusal?
What type of man is Proctor, according to his wife, at the close of the play?

Literary Analysis: Theme

1. (1)Review: Write the definition of theme in your own words:

The havoc that fear and suspicion can wreak if not countered by reason is the most obvious theme of The Crucible. A theme is a central idea of insight that a writer tries to convey in a literary work. Miller’s depiction of paranoia in Salem and his references to America in the 1950’s make clear his ideas on the topic.

A work of literature may have more than one theme. Miller carefully intertwines other topics and themes as well. The personal motivations of the characters, for example, contribute to their fates along with the religious issue of witchcraft. John withholds critical information about Abigail, for example, because of his past relationship with her. Hale’s academic pride blinds him to hysteria’s momentum for too long.

2. (1)How does Miller spin these threads into themes about people and how they behave?

3. (1)What is a theme song?

4. (1)The theme song for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles talks about “heroes in a half shell” and “turtle power.” Why? Explain.

Extended Assignment: What would you say would be a good theme song for The Crucible? Find a song and attach the lyrics to your packet (10 points). Write a detailed explanation for why this would be a good theme song for the play (description 10 points based on specificity, creativity and quality of explanation).

DIRECTIONS: Use the following chart to help you identify themes in The Crucible. In the first column are subjects or topics that Miller addresses in the play. In the second column, write a sentence that states a theme about each topic that the events in the play express. In the third column, list the events or evidence in the play that points to the theme you’ve identified.

Topic / Theme (1 pt each) / Events in Play (2 pts each)
1. Guilt
2. Revenge
3. Pride
4. Intolerance
5. Authority
6. Integrity

Analyzing the Legal System in The Crucible YOUR ANSWERS WILL NEED TO BE PUT ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER

On June 13, 1966, the outcome of Miranda v. Arizona provided that suspects must be informed of their specific legal rights when they are placed under arrest. This decision was based on a case in which a defendant, Ernesto Miranda, was accused of robbery, kidnapping, and rape. During police interrogation, he confessed to the crimes.

The conviction was overturned due to allegedly intimidating police interrogation methods. After a retrial that included witnesses and other evidence, Miranda was again convicted. His trial was, however, then assured of being fair, and the original conviction was reasonably upheld without question.

The person in custody must, prior to interrogation, be clearly informed that he or she has the right to remain silent, and that anything the person says will be used against that person in court; the person must be clearly informed that he or she has the right to consult with an attorney and to have that attorney present during questioning, and that, if he or she is indigent, an attorney will be provided at no cost to represent her or him.

(2)Would having the Miranda laws have changed the outcome of the Salem Trials? Explain using at least one example from The Crucible.

Evidence: Testimony, documents or objects presented at a trial to prove a fact.

Circumstantial evidence is best explained by saying what it is not - it is not direct evidence from a witness who saw or heard something. Circumstantial evidence is a fact that can be used to infer another fact.

Indirect evidence that implies something occurred but doesn't directly prove it; proof of one or more facts from which one can find another fact; proof of a chain of facts and circumstances indicating that the person is either guilty or not guilty.

(1)Give one example of circumstantial evidence in The Crucible.

(1)Does ANY real PROOF or EVIDENCE exist? Explain your response

Common Courtroom Terms

Appeal—a review of your trial by a higher court to see if any mistakes were made that had an effect on the verdict.

Arraignment—You first visit to the court in your case. The purpose of the arraignment is for you to tell the court whether you want to fight the charges against you at trial, or you don’t want to fight the charges against you. You appear before a judge and enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

Bailiff—the Judge’s assistant in the courtroom who takes care of the paperwork and security.

Bench trial—a trial without a jury. The judge hears the case and passes judgment.

Closing Argument—the last opportunity you have to address the court in your case. You need to argue the strengths of your case and the weaknesses of the prosecutor’s case.