If you are teaching The Crucible, a great background reading is Arthur Miller’s article “Are You Now or Were You Ever.” (I’ve used it both before and after reading or viewing the play, depending on how I’ve chosen to run the unit in the past.)
This is a common unit for American Literature courses and/or English 11 courses in American schools. Students can typically read the article and work through the questions (either individually (in writing), in small groups (in writing), or as a full class (orally) in about 45 minutes.
SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM FOR THE QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND THE ARTICLE!
Exploring Arthur Miller’s “Are You Now or Were You Ever?”: A Critical Thinking Reading Activity for 11th Graders
Arthur Miller’s article “Are You Now or Were You Ever?” is a powerful examination of fear, paranoia, and societal overreach during the Red Scare of the 1950s. Written in 2000, it provides insights into why Miller wrote The Crucible and how the Salem witch trials served as a parallel for the anti-communist hysteria of his time. The reading activity (which you can download at the end of this post) is part of a lesson designed to help students and teachers critically engage with Miller’s article, drawing connections between history, literature, and contemporary issues.
Overview of Miller’s Article
In “Are You Now or Were You Ever?”, Miller reflects on the Red Scare’s chilling effects on freedom of thought and expression in America. He compares the witch trials of Salem to the McCarthy hearings, arguing that both were driven by fear of an invisible, ideological enemy. He describes the devastating impact on individuals’ lives and careers, including his own experience being blacklisted and cited for contempt of Congress. The article challenges readers to consider how fear can undermine democratic principles and invites reflection on the responsibility of individuals to resist unjust systems.
Learning Objectives
By engaging with this activity, students will:
- Understand Historical Contexts: Gain a deeper understanding of the Red Scare, McCarthyism, and their parallels to the Salem witch trials.
- Analyze Rhetorical Techniques: Consider Miller’s use of analogies, evidence, and emotional appeals in his argument.
- Make Connections: Draw comparisons between historical and contemporary examples of mass hysteria, ideological conflicts, or censorship.
- Develop Critical Thinking Skills: Formulate and defend their own perspectives on the issues raised in the article, either in writing or verbally.
- Enhance Discussion Skills: Engage in thoughtful discussions that respect diverse viewpoints (if you choose to allow them to work in small groups or to share out as part of a full class activity/discussion)!
Facilitating the Activity
1. Provide Context
Begin by giving students a brief overview of McCarthyism and the Red Scare. Highlight key events, such as the formation of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), and introduce The Crucible as Miller’s response to these events. Discuss how fear and paranoia can affect societies. (You may wish to have students complete a background research activity before diving into this article; I use these (free on my blog).)
2. Structured Reading and Annotation
Distribute copies of Miller’s article (or have students read it on their laptops) and provide guiding questions to help students focus their reading. For instance:
- What comparisons does Miller draw between Salem and the 1950s?
- How does he describe the impact of fear on individuals and communities?
- What does Miller’s personal experience add to his argument? Encourage students to annotate key passages and note any questions or reactions.
3. Discussion Groups
Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a set of questions to discuss. Use the numbered questions and bonus questions from the downloadable questions & answers handout to guide their conversations. Encourage students to reference specific parts of the article to support their points.
4. Whole-Class Discussion
Bring the class back together to share each group’s insights. Discuss recurring themes, differing perspectives, and connections to current events. You can also pose additional questions, such as:
- Can fear ever be justified in maintaining societal order? Why or why not?
- What lessons can we learn from Miller’s reflections about safeguarding freedoms today?
Anticipating and Addressing Challenges
1. Understanding the Historical Context
Students unfamiliar with the Red Scare or Salem witch trials may struggle to understand the connections Miller makes. Provide a brief lecture or video summary of these events before diving into the article. (Or work through one or more research activities prior to working through this one!)
2. Complex Language and Ideas
Teachers should be aware that Miller’s writing includes dense language and historical references that may be challenging for 11th graders. If you are concerned about the difficulty level of the article, you may want to try asking students to work in pairs. They can read together, pause at the end of paragraphs to paraphrase what they’ve learned, and discuss the meaning of difficult words or references. You could also choose to provide kids with a glossary of key terms and phrases you think they may struggle to decipher. (I often write 5-10 terms on the board with definitions before we tackle a hard text; students know they can look up there for help, and if their word or phrase isn’t there, they are comfortable just asking me!)
3. Sensitive Topics
Discussions about fear, paranoia, and ideological conflicts can be personal or politically charged. Set ground rules for respectful dialogue and work throughout the school year to create a classroom environment where all students feel safe sharing their thoughts! Remind the kids that the best thing about being able to discuss things as a class and/or work in small groups is learning from other people who may have different opinions, life experiences, and ideas that can help us get more out of what we’ve read than we would have on our own!
Conclusion
With this lesson activity, you’ll give students a chance to explore an important historical article; it’s also a chance to challenge students to think critically about societal behavior, individual responsibility, and the enduring relevance of Miller’s insights. By engaging deeply with “Are You Now or Were You Ever?”, students will not only better understand the past but also gain tools to navigate and question the world around them!
Lesson Materials
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