The Crucible Warm-Up Practice Essay Peer Editing Introduction to “The Crucible” Homework

WARM-UP: Essential Question: How does history shape literature? Student Objectives: Students will understand how a text is shaped by the historical context of a time period. Students will demonstrate knowledge of early American Literature including how two or more texts from the same period treat similar themes or topics. Students will understand how the structure of text impacts reader understanding. What do you already know about the Salem Witch Trials and/or Puritan life in early America?

PRACTICE PAPER RUBRIC Review the rubric and then use it to guide your feedback

What does “crucible” mean? 1. a vessel of a very refractory material (as porcelain) used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat 2. a severe test 3. a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development

Overview American play American play Written in the 1950s Written in the 1950s Playwright: Arthur Miller Playwright: Arthur Miller Focuses on residents of Salem, Massachusetts Focuses on residents of Salem, Massachusetts Issues: greed, guilt, motivation, morality Issues: greed, guilt, motivation, morality

Overview: Salem, Massachusetts Located on the coast of Massachusetts Located on the coast of Massachusetts Settled mainly by Puritans in 1626 Settled mainly by Puritans in 1626 –A group of people who left England so they could practice religious freedom –Often let their religious beliefs guide their daily lives Most known for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 Most known for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 –Nickname: “The Witch City”

Puritans arriving in Massachusetts

Salem Witch Trials Memorial

Overview: Issues Greed: How do you define greed? Is greed ever a good thing? Greed: How do you define greed? Is greed ever a good thing? Guilt: What leads people to feel guilt? Guilt: What leads people to feel guilt? Motivation: What is the biggest motivator in your life? Motivation: What is the biggest motivator in your life? Morality: List your top three “moral rules.” Morality: List your top three “moral rules.” How do these fit into our ideas of America? Remember, this class is about American literature as much as possible! Be thinking about this question every time we read a text. How do these fit into our ideas of America? Remember, this class is about American literature as much as possible! Be thinking about this question every time we read a text.

Salem Witch Trials Occurred from June through September of 1692 in Salem Occurred from June through September of 1692 in Salem Puritan group of people was involved Puritan group of people was involved Townspeople were in a state of hysteria about witches/evil Townspeople were in a state of hysteria about witches/evil

The Facts Young girl named Betty Parris became ill Young girl named Betty Parris became ill –Fever, extreme pain, running around the house More children in Salem became ill More children in Salem became ill –Ann Putnam, Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott Doctors were called in to find the reason for this sickness Doctors were called in to find the reason for this sickness