English III--Musil
The Crucible Web Quest
All groups will be researching one concept relating to the play, The Crucible. The topics
include:
 The Puritans
 The Salem Witch Trials
 The Protestant Reformation
 Religion
 Arthur Miller
 McCarthyism
Requirements:
 All members of the group must take an active role in the project. This includes the
research, the presentation, and the delivery.
 You must answer all of the questions for your assignment
 Your presentation will be graded on the following: Content, Organization, Creativity, and
Delivery.
 While other groups are presenting, you will be taking notes. Pay very close attention
because there will be a quiz!!
Presentation Suggestions
 Power Point (or use Google Slides!)
 Video (Newscast, TV commercial, Public Service Announcement, Interview)
 Poster with graphics and written information
 Newspaper front page
 Brochure
You may choose any of these options, OR one that’s not listed, as long as you are able to put all the required information
in your project.
English III--Musil
The Puritans
The Situation: Your class will be reading The Crucible by Arthur Miller. In order to appreciate
this play, it is helpful to understand the culture of the Puritans.
Your Task: Investigate and report on the Puritans. In researching your topic, answer the following
questions about the Puritans.
1. Who were the Puritans?
2. Why did the Puritans come to the new world?
3. List five values of Puritanism.
4. What is predestination?
5. What were some behaviors and duties for children?
6. What were some common occupations?
7. What were the governing and educating systems like?
8. What did their clothing look like?
9. Include other information about the Puritans.
10. Describe how you think this information is important to the play, The Crucible (predict)
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Some sites to help you get started:
http://www.teachnet-lab.org/MBHS/Scragg/Crucible/puritans.html
http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap1/1intro.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puritan
English III--Musil
The Salem Witch Trials
The Situation: Your class will be reading The Crucible by Arthur Miller. In order to appreciate this play,
it is helpful to understand the Salem Witch Trials. You are assigned the following topic to research and
present to the class.
Your Task: Investigate and report the Salem Witch Trials. In researching your topic, answer the
following questions about the Salem Witch Trials.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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Questions to Answer:
What were some beliefs about witchcraft and witches people held in the past?
What were the Salem witchcraft trials?
What are some possible explanations for the Salem witchcraft trials?
What options did an accused witch have in Salem?
How quickly did things get out of hand in Salem?
How long did the Salem witchcraft trials go on for?
What sort of evidence was used to arrest accused witches?
Do "witch hunts" still happen?
Can you think of anything else that has happened in this country that would also be considered
a "witch hunt"?
Some sites to help you get started:
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/salem.htm
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/salem/
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/ASAL_CH.HTM
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/ASAL_WA.HTM
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/2010/11/12/modern-day-witch-hunts/
English III--Musil
The Protestant Reformation
The Situation: Your class will be reading The Crucible by Arthur Miller. In order to appreciate this play,
it is helpful to understand the culture of the Puritans. You are assigned the following topic to research
and present to the class.
Your Task: Investigate and report on the Protestant Reformation. In researching your topic, answer
the following questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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What was the Protestant Reformation?
Outline the causes of the Protestant Reformation
Describe the spread of Protestantism.
List and describe several consequences of the Protestant Reformation.
Identify the following figures and give a brief description of their role in the Reformation:
Martin Luther
John Calvin
John Wycliffe
John Hus
William Tyndale
Henry VIII of England
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Which person listed above had a direct influence on the Puritans? In what way? Explain.
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Some sites to help you get started:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Reformation
http://www.theopedia.com/Protestant_Reformation
http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-religion/protestant-reformation.htm
English III--Musil
Religion
The Situation: Your class is going to read The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Your comprehension
and appreciation of the play will be enhanced by knowledge of certain concepts central to the play’s
plot and theme.
Your Task: Research and report on the topics of Covenant, The Ten Commandments,
and Sabbath Day. In researching your topic, be sure to include answers to the following
questions:
1. Define the meaning of Covenant and describe its role in religious context.
2. What are the Ten Commandments? Describe in detail.
3. List the Commandments and describe their role in various world religions
(Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhism…)
4. What is meant by the Sabbath Day? Give interpretations from various world religions.
5. Predict how these concepts will have a bearing on The Crucible.
6. Google Old Time Religion. This is a song. Read or listen to the lyrics. What is its theme?
Does this have any influence on the play we are about to read (Prediction)? Why or why not?
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Some sites to help you get started:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covenant_(biblical)
http://ldolphin.org/Covn.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Commandments
http://www.the-ten-commandments.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabbath
http://www.sabbath-day.net/
English III--Musil
Arthur Miller
The Situation: Your class is going to read The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Your comprehension
and appreciation of the play will be enhanced by knowledge of certain concepts central to the play’s
plot and theme.
Your Task: Research and report on Arthur Miller, the author of the play, The Crucible. In researching
your topic, be sure to include answers to the following questions:
1. Where and when was Arthur Miller born?
2. What award did The Crucible win?
3. Name the famous actress to whom he was married
4. Most of Miller’s work can be described as didactic. Define didactic and explain how you thin
Miller’s life and works.
5. Describe some key events in Miller’s life.
6. What were some other works written by Miller?
7. What were Miller’s political beliefs (include his communist connections)?
8. Include other pertinent information about Arthur Miller
Some sites to help you get started:
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http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/amiller.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Miller
http://www.ibiblio.org/miller/life.html
English III--Musil
McCarthyism
The Situation: Your class will be reading The Crucible by Arthur Miller. In order to better
comprehend and appreciate the play, the students should know that the play can be read as an
allegory to Joseph McCarthy and his hunt for communism in American society during the 1950’s.
Your Task: Research Joseph McCarthy and the activities of HUAC. In your research, be sure to
answer the questions below. Prepare to present your findings to the rest of the class.
1. Short definition of Communism. Describe America’s attitude toward communists and communism
during the late 40’s and early 50’s.
2. Who was the President of the United States during this time?
3. What is containment? The domino theory?
4. Who is Joseph McCarthy? Provide a short biography.
5. What speech did he make, and how did it kick off the Red Scare?
6. What is HUAC? Describe its mission under McCarthy.
7. Who were the Hollywood Ten, and what happened to them?
8. When such people as Larry Parker and Roy Huggins “named names,” what happened to the people
they named? If you were “named” and refused to talk, what happened?
9. List some people who couldn’t work and tell why.
10. Who were McCarthy’s “helpers” on HUAC? What was their role?
11. Ultimately, what was McCarthy’s fate? Explain fully. When and how did he go too far?
12. What was the HUAC renamed in 1969? What is its status today?
13. Prediction: What bearing does all of this have on the play we are about to read?
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Some sites to help you get started:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCarthyism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAmccarthyism.htm
http://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/mccarthyism.htm
http://www.bookrags.com/research/mccarthyism-aaw-04/