ARTHUR MILLER ASKS “WHERE authority aught to begin, and where it aught to end, where man aught to begin and where he aught to end.” He says that his plays examine the interplay between authority and an individual’s freedoms. This week we will explore the historic background to his writing of The Crucible, 1950s McCarthyism, HUAC and the Red Scare.

MONDAY

Reading of introduction and selected body paragraph from the nature/wilderness papers, and providing direct feedback about stylistic issues. After reading a couple, we will begin the documentary, “None Without Sin.” Students will want to keep notes on how Miller’s and Kazan’s relationship contributes to the themes of the play, as well as how Miller’s life influences the characters in the play.
HW: Reading the first eight pages of the introduction in our text.

TUESDAY

Continuation of the documentary.
HW: Read the next eight pages of the introduction.

WEDNESDAY

Continuing the documentary.
HW: Finish the introduction.

THURSDAY

After finishing the documentary, I will lecture briefly on the Donald Trumbo quote that provides this documentary with the title. How are both the Salem witch trials and the 1950s HUAC investigations an historical even that produces neither heroes or villans, saints or devils, but victims of all touched by the experience?
HW: Read the first article in the Puritan packet, “Still Puritan After All These Years.”

FRIDAY

Before returning to feedback on the nature / wilderness essays, we are going to look more closely at the Puritan documents in our reading packet, finishing our reading of the “Still Puritan After All These Years,” article, and reading the selection from Winthrop’s “A Model of Christian Charity.”
HW: Read pages 11-23 of “Colonial Period” in American Legend, annotating for the question, “ What did the Puritans believe?” Remember to circle words and write your own questions as well…