homework assignment...need some good ideas...?

Question

We just finished studying "The Crucible", a play set in Salem, Massachusetts during the witch trials.  It talks about the witch trials and people being accused of witchcraft.

Our teacher gave us a chance for extra credit (Lord, knows I need it) and I'm kinda stuck on what to do the assignment on.

Linking to Today: Mass Hysteria
Explore your views on issues and events that can lead people to act irrationally, even self-destructive.  Think about topics like HIV or other deadly viruses.  Then compare the person going through this to a person being persecuted as a witch in colonial America.

If anyone has any ideas on a topic I'd love to hear from you.

Caliban · Accepted Answer

I would use the 1918 flu pandemic.  People responded fearfully to this epidemic.  
Go to these links and read about the pandemic and how people responded: 
http://virus.stanford.edu/uda/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/12/AR2006121201628.html

Think about how people suspected of having the flu or already having the flu were treated.  Those people were shunned, denied rights, and even held captive in medical institutions.  Basically, they became the unknown enemy killing the good god-fearing people

red · Answer

have you ever heard of the mass hysteria caused by the radio show war of the worlds? people thought the world was ending and some killed themselves. it was all word of mouth. like the crucible, no tangible evidence. just word of mouth and actions.  im hoping i am correct in saying the show was broadcast under the name, war of the worlds.  perhaps type in radio show that caused panick or hysterics. .goodluck

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homework assignment...need some good ideas...?

2 Answers