You will have two days in the library to work with a partner and research various aspects of the play The Crucible. You may need to do additional research at home. The questions that follow each topic are suggestions for meaningful exploration of relevant information. You do not have to find an answer to every question.
Your goal is to find as much information as possible, take notes, and then compile your research and present it on a poster board. The poster should contain the information that you gathered during your research; however, it must be written in your own words. You cannot just print off items from the Internet and paste them onto your poster. The poster must also have pictures.
Project Requirements:
 | Full-size poster |
| Title of your topic clearly indicated |
| Information about your topic is clear and detailed |
| Visuals are incorporated onto the poster |
| Neat presentation |
| Effort! |
Arthur Miller’s play uses creative liberty to change some of the truths about the Salem Witch Trials while still maintaining the essence of the hysteria caused in this time period. Research history and find at least five significant differences between the details of the play and the facts of history. Compare character differences among the people involved, reasons for the accusations, proof of witchcraft, those who were killed, the end of the trials, the results of the Trials’ termination.
| The Trials http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/The_Great_Republic_By_the_Master_Historians_Vol_I/salemwitc_dh.html |
| An Account of Events in Salem by Douglas Linder http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_ACCT.HTM |
| Metaphor analysis http://www.novelguide.com/thecrucible/metaphoranalysis.html |
| Salem Chronology of Events http://www.salemweb.com/memorial/default.htm |
| Historical inaccuracies between The Crucible and Salem Witch Trials http://www.17thc.us/docs/fact-fiction.shtml |
| Witch Hunt Background pre-reading http://12.15.174.202/crucible/tablecru2.htm |
| About.com resources about Salem trials http://search.about.com/fullsearch.htm?terms=Salem+Witch+Trials&Site= home&SUName=home&TopNode=%2F&PMY_100_S |
Topic Two: Motivations of Miller. Who is Arthur Miller? Why did Arthur Miller write a play about the events of 1692 if he were not alive until centuries later? When did he live? Was he considered a quality writer? Did he write other plays/literature? Did the literature have a common theme? Does he comment on his intention in writing The Crucible?
| Arthur Miller: basic information on works http://www.levity.com/corduroy/millera.htm |
| Crucible Project—Hysteria and Ideology in The Crucible http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/crucible.html |
| Red Scare in comparison to The Crucible http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/salem-1950.html |
| Essay on the connection between The Crucible and Salem Witch Trials http://www.17thc.us/docs/fact-fiction.shtml |
Topic Three: Red Scare vs. Witch Scare. What was the Red Scare? When? What is the HUAC (House Un-American Committee), when did it operate, and what was its purpose? Who is Senator Joseph McCarthy and what is his connection to the HUAC? Who did the HUAC investigate and what was the impact of these investigations on these people? What does it mean to be "blacklisted"? What caused the HUAC to be dissolved?
| Red Scare in comparison to The Crucible http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/salem-1950.html |
| On this page of links, scroll down to McCarthyism http://gpweb.us/VLColdWarIndex.htm |
| Different View of the 1947 HUAC Activities http://www.moderntimes.com/palace/blacklist.htm |
| Senator Joe McCarthy—A Multimedia Celebration http://webcorp.com/mccarthy/ |
| Blacklisting Hollywood's Communists: A Qualified Defense http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/bcaplan/museum/blist.htm |
| Screen Actors Guild Remembers the Blacklist http://www.cobbles.com/simpp_archive/linkbackups/huac_blacklist.htm |
| Grand Inquisition http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/stone.html |
| You Can Trust Communists to be Communists http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/schwarz-cover.html |
Topic Four: The State of Salem. What state was Salem in prior to the witch trials? What aspects of Salem caused the hysteria that took place? What is the state of Salem today?
| An Account of Events in Salem by Douglas Linder http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_ACCT.HTM |
| Salem background http://www.paralumun.com/witchsalem.htm |
| Salem Witch Museum http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/education/index.shtml |
| Play background http://12.15.174.202/crucible/tablecru2.htm |
| Only house related to Salem trials http://www.salemweb.com/witchhouse/default.htm |