First and foremost, it will compare and contrast the history and the fiction by thoroughly relating which aspects are fictional and which are true to the historical record.
As a secondary concern, it will discuss at least one of the purely fictional elements that is significant enough to alter readers’ perspectives from what they most likely would have been if Miller had confined himself to the historical record throughout the entire play. Again, don’t build an argument, just observe, analyze, and explain. Do not use first-person. Remain objective and informative.
Research Requirements: Minimum of five legitimate sources, cited and documented according to MLA style (see section beginning on p. 300 of the St. Martin’s Handbook). You must cite the play itself, the introduction to the play by Bigsby, at least one commentary by Miller himself, and two sources may be others that I have suggested to you, (the Bible), or they may be sources that you locate yourself. The PBA library has some excellent books on the Salem Witchcraft Trials and on colonial Puritan beliefs about witchcraft.
