The Crucible/The Scarlet Letter Web Quest
Introduction: Often in literature characters are influenced by the religious and social customs of the period in which they live. By researching various aspects of Puritan life during the seventeenth century in America you will develop insight into the behavior of particular literary characters in The Crucibleand The Scarlet Letter. You will also see the parallels to modern day life that makes these works of literature so timeless.
The Task: In preparation for reading Arthur Miller's The Crucibleand Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, you will explore aspects of Puritan life in the 1600s. You will also explore the authors’ biographies and relate them to the literary themes to be studied.
The ProcessYou will use the Web to obtain information on the following topics:
- Daily Life in Salem in the 1600s
- Puritanism and Government
- Witchcraft
- Witch-hunts (both 17th century and modern)
- Witch trials of 1692
- Biography of Arthur Miller
- Biography of Nathaniel Hawthorne
You will be assigned to a group that will plan a presentation to instruct your classmates about your particular topic of study. Your presentation may include role playing, costumes, panel discussions, Power Point, or any other effective method. Your group will also be responsible for submitting five questions that can be used on a quiz about your topic.
Daily Life in Salem
1.Describe the clothing worn by men and women in Salem. What types of fabrics were used?
2.How did their clothing support their religious views?
3.Describe the types of homes that probably existed in Salem. Explain what a palisade is and why it was necessary.
4.Describe the family life of Puritans?
5.Describe a Puritan meal.
6.How did their food and eating habits support their religious views?
Suggested sites:
Puritanism and Government
7.What are the basic Puritan beliefs? List at least five.
8.What is predestination?
9.How would Puritans view those of other faiths?
10.Why did Puritans come to the New World?
11.List five forces undermining Puritanism in the 1600s.
12.What is a theocracy and how would it affect the view of Salem residents toward witchcraft?
Suggested sites:
Witchcraft
13.What is maleficium witchcraft? theological witchcraft?
14.Explain the early legal concepts of witchcraft.
15.Which type of person was most likely to be considered a witch?
16.How did property ownership contribute to accusations ofwitchcraft?
17.Explain ergotism and its relation tothe unusual behaviors displayed by those possessed.
18.In what forms does witchcraft exist today?
19.How are modern day witches treated?
Suggested sites:
Witch Trials of 1692 in Salem
20.Who were these people and what happened to them in 1692?
Giles CoreyMartha CoreyJohn Proctor Sarah Osbourne
21.What personal goals did Thomas Putnam have in accusing others of witchcraft?
22.What behaviors started to appear among the villagers?
23.Who were Betty Parris, Abigail Williams, and Tituba?
24.Who was the first person officiallyexecuted? How did her station in society (tavern owner) influence her fate?
25.What happened on October 8, 1692?
Suggested sites:
Witch-hunts
26.Define witch-hunt.
27.Who was Joseph McCarthy and what did he investigate?
28.Why were Americans concerned about Communism during the 1950s?
29.What was the House Un-American Activities Committee? How were those brought before this committee affected by their appearance there?
30.What happened when the McCarthy hearings were televised and he began to accuse Army officers of being Communists?
31.How was McCarthyism a witch-hunt?
Suggested sites:
Biography of Arthur Miller
32.Give some details about Miller's early life and family.
33.What were his major achievements and awards?
34.Describe Miller's appearance before the House Un-American Activities Committee.
35.Describe the effects of the investigation on Miller's writing of The Crucible.
36.How did Miller's social conscience affect his work?
37.What common theme or themes appear in his works?
Suggested sites:
Group 7 Biography of Nathaniel Hawthorne
Answer the following questions about Nathaniel Hawthorne.
- Give some details about Hawthorne's early life and family.
- How did his Puritan heritage influence him?
- How did Hawthorne perceive nature?
- What was his opinion of women writers?
- What are some common themes that appear in his works?
Suggested sites:
Evaluation
Your presentation will receive a group grade based on the following:
- Your presentation must thoroughly answer all the questions your group has been assigned.(40 points)
- Your answers must be accurate and complete. (30 points)
- You should also show some creativity and maintain the interest of your classmates.(10 points)
- All members of the group must participate in the presentation. (10 points)
- Your group must submit five questions that can be used on a quiz about your topic. (10 points)
Your presentation will count as a test grade. Presentationsdue 8/31
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