1. Why do we still read and watch this play today?

2. Watch a brief 6 minute clip where Arthur Miller and actor Daniel Day Lewis discuss the play and the story’s impact on the actors and society today. A Word from the Playwright…

3. 1.What were some similarities between the play and the movie adaptation? 2.What were some differences between the play and the film? 3.What did you like about the movie? 4.Which actors did you feel had the strongest performance? 5.Fact vs. Fiction…Read along. Reflect on the Film…

4. Go find your note card up on the board. Can you answer the question now? If you can, answer it. If you can’t answer the question, you and your group will find the answer to it. Once you have the answer, put the note-card back up on the board. We will share the answers later. What did you learn? KWL chart.

5. 1.The girls were really telling the truth about witches in Salem. 2.The girls were bored and seeking attention. 3.The girls were playing a game and became too frightened to stop once the adults bought into the idea and people were punished. 4.The girls were suffering from a physical or mental illness; ergot (a fungus found in rye grain), encephalitis (mosquito disease), PTSD: all of these illnesses can cause hallucinations, twitching, spasms, and nervous behavior. 5.The girls were put up to their actions as part of town politics? WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE? What REALLY happened? Theories:

6. : a pot in which metals or other substances are heated to a very high temperature or melted : a difficult test or challenge that forces people to change or make difficult decisions Which definition(s) are relevant?? What connections can you make to the play? What IS a “Crucible” anyway?

7. 1.Fear and suspicion can spread to destroy society. 2.People can commit horrible misdeeds in the name of virtue. 3.Those who claim to be good may be hypocrites. 4.It is more noble to die with integrity than to compromise one’s identity in order to live. 5.What other themes can you think of? Lessons from The Crucible…

8. 1.Choose one theme from the list AND think of one additional theme. 2. Explain to the class which character(s) help teach these lessons in the play and how they demonstrate this theme. 3.Make a connection between your themes (2) and society today. What connections can you draw that prove this play is a timeless piece of literature? If necessary, use Google to research current issues in society. 4.Be ready to share this information with the class. Do you need to write it down or do all group members know the information well enough to speak without notes? Can everyone answer ALL the questions? 5.Make sure all group members’ note-cards have been answered from the KWL chart. Group Challenge