The Power of the Individual: The Crucible, the Puritans, and McCarthyism
Language Arts 5 – Unit 1
Big Ideas:
Civil liberties
Abuse of power
Intolerance
Hypocrisy
Mass hysteria/fear
Persecution
Responsibility of individuals as members of a community
Dealing with powerful accusers
Themes:
The power of the individual has associated responsibilities, risks, and rewards.
Literature can be used to strengthen the individual and regain power from those who would use
it for their own purposes.
Truth has no meaning when men believe only what they want to believe.
Finding the truth sometimes requires sacrifice.
Society has a role in shaping our identity.
Focus Questions:
How does the First Amendment protect my civil liberties?
What is the importance of individuality?
What power do I have as an individual?
How am I a product of my society/culture?
What circumstances are conducive to creating mass hysteria in society?
Where do we see mass hysteria in today’s society?
How can society’s fear of nonconformity lead to injustice?
How can people use their power to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others?
1. Introducing and Reviewing: the early Americas and the 1950s & McCarthyism
Ask the class what they know already about these two time periods. Give them time to brainstorm
individually or with small groups. Then put ideas on the board as a class, discuss these ideas and
have students record everything.
Questions to start with:
What do you know about the early American settlers and why they came to American?
the Puritans?
the power Britain had over the colonists?
the declaration of independence and beginnings of the country?
What do you know about the atmosphere of America in the 1950sthe red scare/fear of communism?
McCarthyism?
blacklisting?
Based on what the class knew and didn’t know about the two time periods, give them questions and
time to do some research online and in textbook to learn other necessary background information.
Go over this information as a class and record.
Assign topics on the Salem Witch Trials, the Puritans, and McCarthyism for research annotated
bibliographies and presentations. Teach the format of annotated bibliography and review research
techniques. Give students a couple of days for research. Have them present and take notes on the
information on every topic.
Review/assess background knowledge of early American/Puritan period and 1950s/McCarthyism.
2. The Power of the Individual: Focusing on the big ideas
Introduce the themes and big ideas. Students should have these to refer to throughout unit.
Introduce and discuss the focus questions. Also have these to refer to throughout unit.
3. Readings from the Early Americans
Bill of Rights: First Amendment, England’s Habeas Corpus Act, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry
God,” Frost, Increase Mather, Dickinson, etc.
Tie to power of individual, hysteria/fear, leaders’ influence over people, people’s role in society
4. Readings from the 1950s
Telegram, “This I Believe” pieces, Murrow- Journalism at its best piece, “Trial of Arthur Miller,”
“Man of Honour,” etc.
Tie to power of individual, hysteria/fear, leaders’ influence over people, people’s role in society
5. Good Night and Good Luck: the power of the individual to end McCarthyism
Crucible/Blacklist website, “Review” by Clinton, Washington Post review, etc.
Watch movie and companion piece (DVD special feature), read:
How did Murrow change society through his actions as a reporter/news anchor?
Tie film to themes/focus questions.
6. Why did Arthur Miller write The Crucible
Background on Arthur Miller, read article “Why I wrote The Crucible”:
How did writing the play give him power? What effect did it have on his society?
7. Read The Crucible
How does the story taking place in Puritan society reflect the atmosphere of American society in the
1950s?
Tie to themes/focus questions.
8. Tie to students’ lives and current society
News articles (from pg 3)
Tie these recent events to the themes and focus questions of the unit.
Relate their lives/life in their school/community to the themes and focus questions.