Britt\’s English III

“The Breaking of Charity”
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible

Arthur Miller considered the breaking of charity “the most common experience of humanity”. To Miller, it meant to betray someone or to refuse him or her a basic human generosity respect. This assessment of human relationships makes The Crucible more than just a story about witches; it becomes an alarm against partisan politics, tolerance of poverty, and other social problems as examples of our willingness tobreak charity with our fellow citizens.

This project will take the rest of the quarter to finish. It will involve reading the play, studying the techniques of drama, memorizing an assigned portion of the play for class recitation, writing a personal reflection which connects YOU to one of the characters, preparing and researching an assigned topic for a class discussion/debate, compiling a portfolio which includes all written notes for the quarter, present an assigned scene with a group, and various other artistic and creative projects and quizzes. The culminating assessment will be the presentation of the class discussion.

**** THE REQUIRED READING OF THE PLAY WILL BE DONE IN AND OUT OF CLASS********

I. Recitation – Memorize the John Proctor quote: page 886, second column—”Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of those who hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name.”
This assignment is due September 20, 2007.

II. Scene Presentation – As a group, prepare and present to the class, an assigned scene from the play. The format will be in frieze(stop-action with narrator) style. Costumes, props, etc.,. will enhance your score, but style, organization, creativity, and cooperation will count the most.
This assignment is due September 27, 2007.

III. Composition – Write a personal reflection which shows your connection to one of the characters. The connection needs to be thorough and deep. Review Miller’s expose’ on pg. 827 and the intro to the play to get a few ideas of the depth of reflection.
This assignment is due October 10, 2007.

IV. Portfolio – Compile all class notes, research, quizzes, etc. into a portfolio to be turned in for a grade. All work should be typed.
This assignment is due October 16, 2007.

V Discussion/Debate – As a group, research and prepare ideas, notes, quotes, support to answer an assigned prompt related to the play. Your group may decide on presentation of information style or debate style. All members must show full participation in written and oral work.
This assignment is due October 17th and 18th for ODD periods and October 18th and 19th for EVEN periods.

Writing Requirements:
All writing activities must be typed using double-space, Times New Roman, and one inch all around margins.
All documentation must be in MLA format.
All internet research must be either an org. or edu. web site.
All work should be your best effort.
All work should have minimal mechanical errors.

Computer issues are a part of our lives. Make sure that your work is printed before coming to class. I will not accept computer-related excuses.

Group work will be judged on individual work. Your group needs you to do your part and be on time with all assignments. Any delay on your part will only hurt you.

Discussion/Debate Prompts:

Your group should select one of the themes below and extensively research the topic as it relates to The Crucible:

Human cruelty in the name of righteousness
Community: Unity and Exclusion
Justice vs. Retribution and Revenge
Godliness vs. Worldliness
Ignorance vs. Wisdom
Order vs. Individual Freedom
The Puritan Myth

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