Directions: This webquest takes us through several phases: first is research on the Salem WitchTrials themselves, second is questions regarding the play by Arthur Miller, and part three wraps it all up. Use the links at the end of the sections to find the answers you are looking for. If you need more information, you can always use a search engine like Google. As always, answer these questions in complete sentences on another piece of paper.
Part 1: A Horrible History
1. What were the Salem witch trials, and when and where did the witch trials happen (give specific months)?
2. What specific event prompted people to think that witches were living in the colony?
3. Give the names of several of the magistrates who examined people and determined whether or not accused people were witches.
4. What methods did the magistrates use to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused?
5. Give the names of at least three people who were accused of being witches in Salem. Try to find out more about them; what was their occupation? Were they poor or prominent members of society?
Links:
Part 2: History on Stage
1. Describe Arthur Miller. When and where was he born? When did he die?
2. What plays other than The Crucible did Miller write?
3. When was The Crucible released? Where was it first shown?
4. Read "Why I wrote the Crucible" and summarize it to answer the obvious question, Why did Arthur Miller write The Crucible?
5. What did it mean to be "blacklisted"? Why was Miller blacklisted?
6. Look up McCarthyism on Google or at one of the links below. How do you think The Crucible's main theme is similar to this ideology?
Links:
Part 3: A Dramatic Conclusion -- Answer both questions in complete sentences
1. Short Answer: Given all of the examples you've studied in this webquest, what do you think should be done in our society to keep innocent from being accused and presumed guilty?
2. Short Answer: What was the most interesting (sad, weird, horrific, positive) fact that you came across while researching about the Witch Trials? Tell me what it was, and why you think it was so fascinating and worthy of distinct discussion.
Part 1: A Horrible History
1. What were the Salem witch trials, and when and where did the witch trials happen (give specific months)?
2. What specific event prompted people to think that witches were living in the colony?
3. Give the names of several of the magistrates who examined people and determined whether or not accused people were witches.
4. What methods did the magistrates use to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused?
5. Give the names of at least three people who were accused of being witches in Salem. Try to find out more about them; what was their occupation? Were they poor or prominent members of society?
Links:
Part 2: History on Stage
1. Describe Arthur Miller. When and where was he born? When did he die?
2. What plays other than The Crucible did Miller write?
3. When was The Crucible released? Where was it first shown?
4. Read "Why I wrote the Crucible" and summarize it to answer the obvious question, Why did Arthur Miller write The Crucible?
5. What did it mean to be "blacklisted"? Why was Miller blacklisted?
6. Look up McCarthyism on Google or at one of the links below. How do you think The Crucible's main theme is similar to this ideology?
Links:
- Arthur Miller: Why I wrote the Crucible
- McCarthyism: A definition and More, WITH primary documents!
- Arthur Miller biography
Part 3: A Dramatic Conclusion -- Answer both questions in complete sentences
1. Short Answer: Given all of the examples you've studied in this webquest, what do you think should be done in our society to keep innocent from being accused and presumed guilty?
2. Short Answer: What was the most interesting (sad, weird, horrific, positive) fact that you came across while researching about the Witch Trials? Tell me what it was, and why you think it was so fascinating and worthy of distinct discussion.