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PREREADING DISCUSSION TOPICS
• What do you know about the Salem Witch Trials
• What do you know about the term, "Witch Hunt?"
• Do you think that there are real witches?
• What do you think witchcraft is? Where did it originate? Is it real?
• Do you think society has a right to govern people's beliefs about God?
What is the role of gossip in the trials? How does Miller use gossip to implicate the whole town in the events of the witch trials?
In an essay, answer the question above citing examples from the story.
The trials are begun by gossip after the girls are found in the woods. Reputations in Salem are made or broken based on slander and rumor. If you were accused and rumored to be a witch, then you were one. Gossip also proves to be destructive even in the hands of the good and unwitting. For example, Giles Corey condemns his own wife simply by a slip of the tongue.
Examine the actual court documents of the Salem Witch Trials. Read the testimony presented at trial against them. Explore the biographies and primary source documents. Choose one person and try to imagine yourself in his/her shoes. What motivated their actions? What do you think they were thinking or feeling?
Assume that persona for the following activities:
• Write a letter to a relative telling them of the evidence presented against you.
• Write a diary entry about your feelings on the trial and of its fairness.
• Write a letter to someone debating whether or not you should confess that you are a witch or not confess and be executed.
• Create a drawing that the prisoner would have made during their incarceration. Make sure it relates to their lives in some way.
• Create a self portrait the prisoner would have drawn during their incarceration.
JOURNAL QUESTIONS
• What do you do for fun? How do you let off steam when you are stressed?
• Describe a time you were accused of something you didn't do.
• Do you believe the spirits of the dead can communicate with the living? Explain.
• Do you believe our court system is fair? Have you ever heard of the courts treating someone unfairly? Explain.
• Would you testify against your relatives if you thought they were guilty of a terrible crime? Explain.
• Describe a time you lied or exaggerated the truth about someone else to make yourself look good.
• Describe a time someone told a lie about you and got you into trouble.
• Have you ever confessed to something you did not do to help someone or help yourself?
• Describe a time you had power over someone else. Did you misuse your power? Did you try to help that person?
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. Create a wanted poster. Imagine that one of the accused witches has disappeared. Underneath the picture, write her name in large, bold letters. Include a paragraph that thoroughly describes her and her crime(s).
2. Draw five cartoons that show dramatic irony or verbal irony in the play. Underneath each one, briefly explain how it is ironic. For full credit, your cartoons should include details and color.
3. Conduct an interview. With a partner, research the author's life. Write a script for an interview between a newspaper reporter and the author, shortly after the publication of the play. Role-play your script for the class.
4. Write an epilogue to extend the story. Your epilogue should include characters from the play in a new situation or facing a new conflict related to events in the story. It may be handwritten, but should be 1½ to 2 pages in length.
5. Write a letter in your best cursive writing from Elizabeth Proctor to her condemned husband John. The letter should detail her grievances, any blame she might feel, or it may express her beliefs and/or her regrets. The language and style of the letter should reflect the way Elizabeth speaks in the play. On another sheet of paper, write a response from John that expresses how he may feel toward Elizabeth now and his beliefs and/or regrets. Prepare a final draft of each letter on plain white paper.
6. Design a book jacket for the play that would be no larger than a sheet of plain white paper. Your jacket should include illustrations of 5 or more elements from the play. You might include one or more characters, events, symbols, etc.
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