IN HER SHOES: Veuve Capet on Trial

IN HER SHOES: Veuve Capet on trial

Act I: Salons [Friday, November 30]

You are cordially invited to Paris, during the summer of 1793 when the revolution is getting more violent and factions increasingly opposing one another. France is in danger; the Austrian and Prussian armies are at the eastern borders and victorious.

Marie Antoinette is imprisoned in the Temple, soon to be moved to the Conciergerie. Paris is in turmoil with partisans from all sides vying to be heard.

The debate of the day, everywhere in the streets, the Palais Royal, and the salons, is whether or not Veuve Capet should be tried, and if so, who should be her defense lawyer.

Objectives:

1. Find those with whom you have political affinities.
2. Discover what others are saying and thinking about the Queen/Veuve Capet.
3. Undertake the specific task that is yours, if you have one.

Inasmuch as you are free to move about in the streets of Paris, you visit the salon or public places where you are most comfortable and where you are most likely to meet allies or citizens who echo your opinion. Some of you, however, have tasks to accomplish and must identify which citizen can help you accomplish what you must do. If you see suspicious activity or if you suspect someone of counter-revolutionary activity, you may report it to Saint-Just, member of the Public Safety Committee, but you must have proof.

Each of you has by now done some research on your character/role and you will hand in your “autobiography” to the Gamemaster—JV.

Act II Publishing Frenzy [Monday, December 3]

You will have written a 2-page brief (as assigned on your role sheet] for this morning. You will bring several paper copies of this brief and an electronic version on a flashdrive. You goal will be to have it accepted by one of the newspapers, without harm to yourself. Remember that although the press is now free, Saint Just and the sans culottes are vigilantly searching for any sign of counter revolution. Paris, and the public, are overtaken with a fear of conspiracies and plots to overturn the Revolution.

You may want to contact the editor over the weekend beforehand to negotiate a bit more privately. Editors may also begin to add articles to their paper (on the blog). Some of you may be refused publication. In that case, bring enough copies of your brief to “plaster” it all over the walls of “Paris” (classroom).

L’ Ami du roi: royalist, edited anonymously

Le Vieux Cordelier: republican, edited by Camille Desmoulins, IF he’s gotten the funds together to publish

Le Père Duschene: radical scandal sheet, the News of the World of its day, edited by Hébert

Editors and others should bring their computers to class and start “editing” the articles. Editors and their helpers will then “publish” their newspaper online on our blog, where you will find space set up for you to upload the articles you’ve chosen for the newspaper. You may embellish you scandal sheet or your serious newspaper with images.

The paper or brief that each of you will write and publish will be based on sources and references you have read over the semester and research you will have done to supplement your knowledge of your player’s/character’s views. Include a bibliography of at least 3 sources, only one of which may be electronic. 5% of your grade

Papers will be published by Tuesday 5pm, allowing for all citizens to have time to read them in time for the debate in the General Assembly

Act III Debate in the General Assembly: Should Veuve Capet be tried and if so, who should be her defense lawyer? [Wednesday, December 5]

Debate in the “General Assembly” open today to every citizen. Beware, some citizens may try to disrupt the proceedings.

Preparation: As all good citizens of Paris in the summer of 1793, you will have read avidly the three papers you subscribe to in order to keep well informed and to get as wide a view as possible on events and opinion. Lucky for you, the three papers are online on the blog.

You must come prepared to present your view/opinion, based on the article or essay you published in the paper, AND you must be prepared to rebut or counter or argue against the view of at least one opponent.

At the end of the debate, in which everyone will participate vociferously, we will vote on who should represent Veuve Capet at her trial.

Act IV Alliances and Oppositions [Friday, December 7]

Group work: Players will forge alliances with those participants who most closely represent the same perspective. Groups will work together to develop a group position either defending or accusing Marie Antoinette at her upcoming trial. Groups may differ on the arguments they may want to advance in defense or in accusation of the former Queen. You may continue working into the long hours of the night and the weekend, as the citizens of the Revolution did in preparation for the trial on Monday.

By Monday, December 12, each citizen will have written a 2-page rebuttal or response to one of the “articles” published previously with an opposing or different perspective. You will publish your response in the same “newspaper.” 5% of your grade

Act V The Trial of Widow Capet [Monday, December 10]

The trial will be open to the public and all citizens will be allowed to speak. Groups should have organized themselves so that each member of the group has a clear point to make in defense or in accusation of Widow Capet. The prosecutor, Fouquier Tinville (Gamemaster JV) will present the accusations. Witnesses will ask the prosecutor and the defense lawyer to speak, by sending each of them written requests. The prosecutor will call witnesses and allow the lawyer to do so as well. Citizens may try to intervene or interrupt, at the risk of arrest. If they are unsatisfied with the way proceedings are happening, they may protest, walk out, or stage a riot. They risk being thrown in jail, of course.

Recapitulation

Each player will assume the position of judge and report on the trial, summarizing the various arguments for and against Marie Antoinette articulated by the different factions during the trial. You will include specific references to sources and texts to strengthen your argument and final judgment. You may build on previous papers and arguments you’ve made earlier in the game as well as on the arguments that other players made and that you heard during the trial. The objective is not to imitate or to reproduce history, but to build a persuasive argument from your particular perspective.

[five pages, double spaced or 1,250 words] 20 % of total grade

This takes the place of a final exam.

15 % of the final grade for oral participation in the pre-trial salons, the trial and the politicking in preparation for the trial.

Due in paper form Wednesday, December 19, 5 pm.