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The Crucible: An Internet Witch Hunt
1. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/salem/ Follow the instructions on the site to “participate” in the Salem Witch Trials. Write a paragraph response, as the accused, describing your feelings.
2. http://www.17thc.us/ Read the article. What are the main differences between the historical witch trials and The Crucible? Which differences do you think Miller took the most freedom with? Why? Which differences do you consider minor? Why? Also refer to the handout “Why I Wrote The Crucible” by Arthur Miller.
3. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/case_salem/index.html Choose the “Witch’s Curse” Case File and read the introductory material. Then go to “Examine the Evidence” and read the article and interview with Linda Caporeal. What do you think of her theories? Explain.
4. http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAhuac.htm Read the article about the House Un-American Activities Committee. Compare and contrast the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials with that of the “Red Scare.” Use the Venn diagram handout to complete this assignment.
5. http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/episodes/06/game/ Try a virtual McCarthy hearing. What was the result? How did this game compare/contrast to the Salem Witch Trial game at PBS? Describe your feelings after participating.
6. http://www.ushmm.org/ Explore this website. Read this article at Human Rights Watch: http://hrw.org/press/2002/11/usahate.htm What similarities and differences do these events have to the Salem Witch Trials? To the Red Scare?
7. George Santayana said, “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” What does the quote mean? How do we keep from repeating history? How do we learn from it? What role does a play like The Crucible have in this process?
8. Think of other examples of “witch hunts” in history. Explain.
9. What was the most interesting thing you learned from this activity? Why?
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