Honors American Literature Name: _________________________________ Essay The Crucible “History repeats itself. Historians repeat each other” Phillip Guedalla Objective: In his play, Arthur Miller creates a fictional story based on historical The Crucible, facts from the Salem Witch Trials. In the quotation above, Phillip Guedalla expresses the idea that many occurrences in history are repeated. In class, we studied Miller’s motivation for writing his play: his frustration about the accusations made against him for being a “communist” during the Red Scare. Miller wrote his play in the context that he did to demonstrate how he was treated like some of the in Salem were treated two hundred and fifty years prior to the “witches” advent of the Red Scare. For this essay, you must find another instance in history in which people were falsely persecuted and argue how it parallels the persecution that people like John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, or Arthur Miller faced. Remember that these people were persecuted based upon an accusation that is/was difficult to in history can be current or ancient. prove. This “instance” Ultimately, you are arguing that a different instance in history is similar to the Salem Witch Trials as they are presented in Thus, the following information and resources The Crucible. should be included in your essay: A thesis statement that compares either a character or a scenario from and The Crucible the other instance in history that you select 2-3 body paragraphs in which you argue how the two are similar including textual – evidence from both sources and your analysis A conclusion that emphasizes why these similarities or repetition are noteworthy At least two sources one being and the other being a credible source that The Crucible – discusses the instance in history that you select Other requirements: MLA format, proper grammar, essay does not exceed 2.5 pages, and fluid quotation integration Timeline: November 15 (Wednesday) research in library/credible sources – November 16 (Thursday) research in library – November 17 (Friday) thesis due (for approval) –typed November 28 (Tuesday) first draft due for in-class peer edit – December 1 (Friday) essays due –
Honors American Literature Name: _________________________________ The Crucible Essay “History repeats itself. Historians repeat each other” Phillip Guedalla Objective: In his play, The Crucible, Arthur Miller creates a fictional story based on historical facts from the Salem Witch Trials. In the quotation above, Phillip Guedalla expresses the idea that many occurrences in history are repeated. In class, we studied Miller’s motivation for writing his play: his frustration about the accusations made against him for being a “communist” during the Red Scare. Miller wrote his play in the context that he did to demonstrate how he was treated like some of the “witches” in Salem were treated two hundred and fifty years prior to the advent of the Red Scare. For this essay, you must find another instance in history in which people were falsely persecuted and argue how it parallels the persecution that people like John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, or Arthur Miller faced. Remember that these people were persecuted based upon an accusation that is/was difficult to prove. This “instance” in history can be current or ancient. Ultimately, you are arguing that a different instance in history is similar to the Salem Witch Trials as they are presented in The Crucible. Thus, the following information and resources should be included in your essay: A thesis statement that compares either a character or a scenario from The Crucible and the other instance in history that you select 2-3 body paragraphs in which you argue how the two are similar – including textual evidence from both sources and your analysis A conclusion that emphasizes why these similarities or repetition are noteworthy At least two sources – one being The Crucible and the other being a credible source that discusses the instance in history that you select Other requirements: MLA format, proper grammar, essay does not exceed 2.5 pages, and fluid quotation integration Timeline: November 15 (Wednesday) – research in library/credible sources November 16 (Thursday) – research in library November 17 (Friday) –typed thesis due (for approval) November 28 (Tuesday) – first draft due for in-class peer edit December 1 (Friday) – essays due
HAL_Crucible_Essay.docx