Mrs. Murray
English III
Intolerance and Hysteria in The Crucible and McCarthyism:
A Literary Research Paper for English III
“The Salem tragedy, which is about to begin in these pages, developed from a paradox. It is a paradox in whose
grip we still live, and there is no prospect yet that we will discover its resolution. Simply, it was this; for good
purposes, even high purposes, the people of Salem developed a theocracy, a combine of state and religious
power whose function was to keep the community together, and to prevent any kind of disunity that might open
it to destruction by material or ideological enemies.”- from The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Prompt: Choose one theme from the list below and write a literary research paper comparing and contrasting
how that theme is developed both in the Salem Witch Trials as portrayed in The Crucible and during the
McCarthy Trials. Well developed responses must draw on a wide range of evidence from the play as well as
your sources in the form of specific details and excerpts with proper MLA citations.
Themes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Hysteria leads to intolerance.
Intolerance leads to hysteria.
Fear and suspicion can ruin a society.
People who claim to be good can really be hypocrites.
People can use ideas of good and virtue to advance a selfish or malevolent agenda.
It is better to suffer with integrity than compromise your honor, decency and faith to protect
yourself.
Research Databases, Websites and Texts:


The Crucible by Arthur Miller (Required)
McCarthyism Packet with political cartoons by Herb Block

o http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/herblock/fire.html
o http://www.cibacs.org/teacherpages/jbronkar/PDFs/The%20Trial%20of%20Arthur%
20Miller.pdf
McCarthyism Databases
o The History Study Center on http://gowyld.net
o US History in Context on http://gowyld.net
Length: 3-5 pages
Sources: You must use at least five sources, including the play, to develop your paper.
Format: Use proper MLA format including in-text citations and a works cited page
Draft Due: May 22, 2014 (by 11:59 pm on www.turnitin.com)
Peer/Self Review: May 23, 2014 and May 27, 2014
Revised Paper Due: May 28, 2014
*All of this will be turned in online at www.turnitin.com.