Advanced English 11-The Crucible Introductory Webquest

Introduction

Arthur Miller's The Crucible is a play that depicts the events of the Salem Witch Trials in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692. The events that unfold center around girls who become unexplainably ill after it is found out they dabbled in witchcraft in the woods with the minister's slave, Tituba. Mass hysteria ensues when the girls began to blame others for their illness leading to the trials and people being arrested and hung because of the accusations from these young girls.  Arthur Miller drew a parallel in The Crucible between the hysteria surrounding the witchcraft trials in Puritan New England and the postwar climate of McCarthyism. 

 

CLICK ON TASK TO SEE INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR WEBQUEST. 

Task

The information that you will learn during this webquest is crucial to your understanding of The Crucible. For this webquest, there are four categories. For each category, READ the articles for each link provided; then TYPE a response to each of the questions in CSRQ. Be sure that you are labeling the sections and providing correct numbering. You must paraphrase the information and not just respond word for word. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. 

Type your answers in a Google Document, and attach to the assignment in Google Classroom and turn in when done. The title of the document should be your first and last name, a colon and then followed by The Crucible Webquest. (e.g. Lindsey Jernigan: The Crucible Webquest). Be sure to format your document in MLA formatting. 

Categories

Category 1- Arthur Miller

Category 2- McCarthyism

Category 3-Salem Witch Trials

Category 4-Writing Component

 

CLICK ON PROCESS TO SEE THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR EACH TASK. 

Process

Category 1- Arthur Miller

http://www.biography.com/people/arthur-miller-9408335

http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/miller-mccarthyism.html

         -In the second article, begin reading at the paragraph that begins with "One lucky afternoon I

 

happened upon."  

 

  1. How did the Wall Street Crash of 1929 impact Miller's family?
  2. What university did he attend? 
  3. How did he earn money to go to school?
  4. When did he start writing?
  5. What awards has he won for his works? Be sure to name two works and all of the awards he won for those two works.  
  6. What famous actress was he married to?
  7. What is an important theme seen in Miller's later works?
  8. What prompted the House of UnAmerican Activities Committe to summons Miller to court?
  9. What inspired him to write The Crucible? This response should be at least 2-3 sentences. 
  10. In Miller's opinion, what did the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism have in common?
  11. In what other countries has this phenomenon of mass hysteria and condemnation occured in?
  12. Why did Arthur Miller believe that the writing of The Crucible was inevitable? Be sure to include the story of Elia Kazan.
  13. Why was The Crucible not a commercial success when it first opened in 1953?

Category 2- McCarthyism 

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/arthur-miller/mccarthyism/484/

http://www.neh.gov/about/awards/jefferson-lecture/arthur-miller-biography

  1. What fear dominated American society in the 1940s and 50s?
  2. Who is Joseph McCarthy?
  3. What is McCarthyism?
  4. What did Joseph McCarthy do that caused mass hysteria?
  5. What was the House of UnAmerican Activities Committee?
  6. What were at least three of the consequences should a person be found guilty of communism?
  7. What happened to Senator McCarthy as a result of his accusations?
  8. What was Arthur Miller’s involvement with McCarthyism?
  9. In May 1957, what was Miller found guilty of?
  10. Name at least two other people in Hollywood affected by McCarthyism.
  11. What role did Mort Sahl and Edward Murrow play in McCarthy's public shaming?
  12. What happened after 1954?
  13. How is this era in history remembered? Be sure to embed two quotes to support your answer. Your response should be at least 2-3 sentences. 

Category 3-Salem Witch Trials 

http://www.famous-trials.com/salem/2078-sal-acct

  1. When did the Salem Witch Trials occur?
  2. How many people were hanged as a result of the trials?
  3. What were the forces in conflict the time of the start of the trials?
  4. How else did they kill people accused of witchcraft in Salem?
  5. How did all the trouble of the witchcraft trials begin?
  6. What are some theories given for the girls’ afflictions (sicknesses)?
  7. How did Cotton Mather’s book and Dr. Grigg’s opinion help to create the problem – and then make it worse?
  8. Why do you think that people were willing to believe the girls who accused so many people of being involved in witchcraft. 

Category 4-Writing Component 

In 1-2 paragraphs, respond to the following prompt: Based on your research of Arthur Miller, McCarthyism, and the witch trials, what connections can you make between McCarthyism and the witch trials? You must include your response with the rest of your research findings. 

 

 

CLICK ON EVALUATION TO SEE HOW TO FORMAT YOUR DOCUMENT. 

Evaluation

Make sure that you format the document in proper MLA formatting in a Google Document and include the categories and correct numbering for each of the sections. Remember, your answers should be in CSRQ and paraphrased. Remember, you will attach the document to the assignment in Google Classroom and turn in.