The Crucible What's
in it for us?
On page two of The Crucible, Arthur Miller points out that "This play is not history in the sense in which the word is used by the academic historian." Using three of the following web sites, or any others that you find, answer TWO of the following. Make certain that you cite the web sites using the name that appears on the site's home page. It should be clear where the information comes from. Also provide a brief "Works Cited" page with the names of the sites, addresses, date of your visits, and other information that is needed to verify your visits to the site. (See http://www.hamilton.edu/academics/resource/wc/AvoidingPlagiarism.html for details.) The questions are worth 100 points, with 20 additional points for proper citation. I will use the standard grading rubric.
1. In what sense is Miller's work history? What are some things in it that are literally true? What truth is he trying to convey? Does his alteration of the facts enhance or detract from the impact of the work?
2. What are some of the explanations that have been offered for what happened in Salem? Which are the most plausible? Which have been discounted? Which people in history seem most blameworthy? Why? Which characters in the play seem most culpable? Why?
3. The link between the communism scare of the 50's and the play is plain. Explain the nature of this link. What was Arthur Miller's involvement? Describe at least one other incident from history that is similar to these two famous witch-hunts. Why is the incident similar? What explanation is there for it?
4. Find and read online two primary source
documents from the period of the Salem witch trials. (Provide their addresses.)
Summarize their content. How do they relate to the trials? How do they
relate to the play? What can we learn about the period from reading them?
http://www.salemweb.com/memorial/
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/salem/
http://www.ogram.org/17thc/crucible.shtml
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/salem.htm