The Crucible

Arthur Miller

Week 10
 The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
Introduction to the
Salem Witch Trials
Learning Target RI.2: I can determine and analyze the development
and interaction of two or more central ideas over the course of a text to provide a
complex analysis or objective summary.

Directions: Click here to access introduction to the Salem Witch

Trials. Once you’ve completed your reading, answer the following
questions. Be ready to discuss as a class.

Answer the questions here:

In your opinion, are there ongoing witch hunts today in America? If so, what are they and how
can we put an end to them?

In the context of the text, how does fear drive action? How did fear play a role in the witch
hunts depicted in the text? Cite evidence from this text to support your answer.
 Introduction to
The Red Scare
Learning Target RI.3: I can analyze a
complex set of ideas or sequence of
events and explain how specific
individuals, ideas, or events interact and
develop over the course of the text. Directions: Click here to read "Why I
Wrote The Crucible"and complete the
activity below.
What is the SUBJECT of the piece?

S What are the general topics, content,

and/or ideas contained in the text.
How do you know this from the text?
Summarize the text.

What is the OCCASION?

O What are the time and place? What

prompted the author to write the piece?
What event led to the development?
How do you know this from the text?
Who is the AUDIENCE?

A To whom is the piece directed? What

assumptions can you make about the
audience? Are there any words or
phrases that are unusual or different?
Why is the speaker using this type of
language? How do you know this from
the text?
What is the PURPOSE?

P What is the reason for the text? Why

was it written? What goal did the
author have in mind? How is the
author trying to get a reaction from the
audience? How do you know this from
the text?
Who is the SPEAKER?

S Who is the voice that is speaking? What

do we know about this person? What
is his/her background? Is there a bias
in what is written? How do you know
this from the text?
What is the TONE of the piece?

T one
What is the attitude expressed by the
speaker? How do you know this?
Examine the words and imagery to
show where in the text your answer is
supported.
 Asynchronous
Wednesday

Directions: After learning about the Salem Witch Trials and The
Red Scare, consider the following prompt:
People often blindly conform to organized religion, political groups,
gangs, and factions. Why are so many people willing to do this? What
would you do if you were targeted during either of these events? What
are some ways that you conform?

Type your answer here…..

 The Crucible
Act IV
Learning Target RL.7:
I can multiple interpretations of a
drama while evaluating how each
version interprets the source text.
Directions: In class, read Act IV of The Crucible. After completing Day
1 reading assignment, complete the activity below. You must cite a line
(with the proper in text citation) to support your answer.
Click here to access Act IV of The Crucible

Answer the following questions:

1. What does the dagger symbolize?

2. What simile does Rev. Hale use to characterize his behavior and attitude when he first
arrived in Salem? What happened when he bestowed his “gifts” on his bride?

3. How has Parris changed? Why doesn’t the news that Abigail and Mercy have left town
affect the decision of the court? How is Danforth a victim of his own logic?

4. What is the effect of Sarah Good’s and Tituba’s talk about flying south? Why does
Miller include it?
 The Crucible
Act IV
Learning Target RL.7:
I can multiple interpretations of a
drama while evaluating how each
version interprets the source text.
Directions: In class, read Act IV of The Crucible. After completing Day
2 reading assignment, complete the activity below. You must cite a line
(with the proper in text citation) to support your answer.
Click here to access Act IV of The Crucible

Answer the following questions:

1. Why has Hale returned? How has he changed? Why has he changed?

2. Why does Proctor confess? Why will he not name names? Why will he not let
Danforth have his signed paper?

3. Why does John Proctor choose to hang? What does he thereby accomplish?

After completing the questions,, click here to view John Proctor's confession to his affair
with Abigail.
 Fences
By August Wilson
An Interactive Notebook

Week 11
 Fences by August Wilson
An Introduction

August Wilson’s second major play, Fences, was first performed on

April 30, 1985, starring James Earl Jones in the main role of Troy
Maxson.

The play concerns Troy, a former Negro League baseball player, and
his family’s struggles in a Pittsburgh neighborhood.

The title derives from the play’s references to fences both literal and
figurative.

Note: Fences, like other August Wilson plays, frequently uses the
N-word. The word is not uttered in a derogatory way by white
characters. However, when we read the play at the end of the week,
we will substitute the word with “man.”
 Fences
Review the following documents about the
author’s life and the premise of the play.

August Wilson Biography

Fences Introduction/Wilson's Cycle of
Plays
The Author’s Prologue
Task: Answer the following two questions after reading the linked documents.

1. What pressures do you feel from your parents about the direction your life may
take compared to what you want to do in the future?

2. Consider the era you were born in. Do you think you were born too late to
experience certain things? If so, what do you think you missed out on? Or do
you think you were born too early to experience things that may be coming in
the future? If so, what?
 Fences
Segment 1 (Tuesday)
Watching Act 1 Scene 1 & 2 of the play (00:00 - 35:00)

1. What is the point of Troy’s commentary on both Jackie Robinson and

white baseball players like Gibson and Selkirk? How does that relate to
the theme of dreams deferred?

2. How does Troy feel about Cory playing football and why does he feel
this way?

3. How has Gabriel’s condition been advantageous to Troy’s family and

how do you think Troy feels about that?

4. What is one way so far that Denzel Washington’s performance has

influenced your opinion of his character Troy Maxson.
 Fences
Segment 2 (Wednesday)
Watching Act 1 Scene 3 through part of Act 2 Scene 1 of
the play (35:00 to 1:10:00)

1. What ultimatum does Troy give Cory regarding football?

2. Under what circumstances did Troy meet Bono?

3. What does Cory mean when he tells Troy “Just cause you didn’t have
a chance! You just scared I’m gonna be better than you, that’s all.”
Additionally, how does this relate to Troy’s relationship with his own
father?

4. At this point in the play, why do you think Rose wants a fence built?
Is she trying to keep people out? Or keep people in?
 Fences
Segment 3 (Thursday)
Watching Act 2 Scene 1 through Act 2 Scene 3 of the play
(1:10:00 - 1:42:00)
1. Are you surprised by Troy’s confession? How does it change your impression
of his character, especially in regard to the standards to which he holds his
sons?

2. Rose says “From right now...this child got a mother. But you a womanless
man.” What do you predict the next months or years will be like for Troy
Maxson?

3. Viola Davis won an Oscar. What is your impression of her performance?

Describe in a scene in particular that stood out to you.
 Fences
Segment 4 (Friday)
Reading Act 2 Scene 4 and 5 of the play

1. What is a recurring theme that causes the fight between Troy and Cory?
Cite evidence from the text in your response.

2. How does Cory bond with Raynell? In your answer cite evidence that
suggests that Cory has changed his mind about his father.

3. In the end, what is your opinion of Troy Maxson and the choices that he
made in his life and in the play?
 Fences
Learning Target RL.2: I can determine two or more
themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their
development over the course of the text.
Two major themes of Fences are the generational conflict
between fathers and sons and dreams that are lost.
● Choose 1 character from Fences and create a collage that
represents that character and their interaction with both
themes.
● You may use any medium to create your collage, but the
image must be inserted into the following slide.
● Consider texture and color when choosing images to
represent the character and theme.
● Do not use images from the movie.
● Your finished work should be about the size of an 8 x 10
piece of paper.

Artist Romare Bearden was one of August Wilson’s

inspirations. Bearden used the collage to illustrate African
American history. Click here to view some of Bearden’s
collages. (Note: Your collage does NOT have to replicate
Bearden’s style.)