Witness

=**//Witness// by Karen Hesse **=

**Synopsis **
The Ku Klux Klan had its beginning in the South immediately following the Civil War; its original purpose was to prevent freed slaves from gaining full rights of citizenship. Revived in the early years of the 20th century, the Klan expanded its campaign of hate and violence to include newer immigrants, particularly from Eastern Europe, and especially Jews and Catholics. Spreading into all parts of America, the Klan attempted to infiltrate small towns and enlist members by creating fear of those who are "different" and professing to embrace truly "American" values.

 __Witness__ tells the story of the Klan's attempt to recruit members in a small town in Vermont in 1924. A young black girl, **Leanora Sutter**, feels isolated by racial prejudice and her mother's recent death. She is befriended by **Esther Hirsh**, a younger Jewish girl, whose innocence and natural optimism provides a sharp contrast to the other characters. The Klan's hate-filled message of white supremacy is voiced by **Merlin**, a teenager, and **Johnny Reeves**, a minister in the town, who both become members. Other characters — the town constable and newspaper editor — try to walk a careful line of neutrality until they realize the importance of taking a stand. Storekeepers **Viola and Harvey Pettibone** represent two opposing reactions to the Klan's methods as they discuss the issue in their own home. **Iris Weaver's** character reflects a new freedom for women who had just gained the right to vote. Over the course of many months, residents are affected in many ways by pressures that build in the community, leading up to a climactic moment of violence. In the voices of eleven residents of the town, we experience this series of events from many different points of view, in the form of a poetic play in five acts. As the characters speak directly to the reader and relate the juxtaposition of acts of hate and love, violence and peace, terror and kindness, they illuminate the full range of human strengths and weaknesses in one small town. //Retrieved from Amazon.com //




 * Act Two**

__Comprehension__ 1. How did Ester Hirsh hurt herself?  2. How did the Chicago police solve the murder of Bobby Franks?  3. What does this event forehadow?  4. Who is Mr. Field?  5. What do you think Sara Chickering did with the kittens? Why?  6. Does Iris Weaver's character conflict with Harvey Pettibone's idea of an average woman?  7. How does Sara Chickering feel about Mr. Hirsch?  8. What does Iris Weaver do to make a living?  9. What did Mr. Field give to Leonora? Why was she afraid to bring it home?  10. Who is Mary to Merlin? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> 11. What trouble has Merlin gotten into? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> 12. Who burns a cross in Act Two? Why is this ironic? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> 13. How is the Klan upsetting Sara Chickerings life? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> 14. What do you predict will happen in the next act?


 * Act Three**

__Comprehension__
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What was Iris Weaver caught with? What was her punishment?
 * 2) The hearse of a slain klansman caught fire on its way to the cemetery. How were Sara Chickering and Johnny Reeve's reactions different?
 * 3) How did Leonora save Esther's life?
 * 4) Why was Wright Sutter, Leonora's father, warned to leave town?
 * 5) Why didn't Merlin save Ester himself?
 * 6) What do the drunken klansmen do at the Catholic church?
 * 7) What does Iris mean by "enlightened humanity"? Is it likely to be discussed at the next cross burning? Why or why not?
 * 8) Merlin would earn the respect of the klan if he gives them keys to his to the newspaper office. Why doesn't he?
 * 9) What mob scene occurs at the Pettibone store?
 * 10) What happened to Merlin's car?


 * Act Four**

__Comprehension__
 * 1) How do you think Mr. Fields feels about the Klan's presence in town?
 * 2) Percelle Johnson did not save Mrs. Sutter's life because she was black. Now protecting Blacks is a part of his job. How does he feel about this? How might this cause a conflict for him?
 * 3) Esther and Sara Chickering seem oblivious to the evil around them. How might their lives have been different if they did not have each other?
 * 4) What happened to Esther's dog?
 * 5) Why is Johnny Reeve's mother concerned about him? Why was his banned from the Klan?
 * 6) How is the Klan terrorizing the town? Give three examples.
 * 7) Why can't Harvey Pettibone sleep next to his wife on page 120?
 * 8) Why can't Merlin Van Tornhout poison the Sutter's well?
 * 9) What happened to Mr. Hirsh?
 * 10) What are Harvey Pettibone's prize possessions? Why does his wife sell them?

Act Five

Comprehension


 * 1) Where do you think Merlin is?
 * 2) Give two reasons to explain why Viola may be crying on page 136.
 * 3) Who claims to have seen Merlin? Where?
 * 4) What did Merlin do with the keys to the newspaper office?
 * 5) Where is Johnny Reeves?
 * 6) Who is the new US president.
 * 7) What did Mr. Field do to the klan?
 * 8) Merlin did not shoot Ira Hirsh. What is the alibi?
 * 9) Why did he return to town?
 * 10) Who shot Ira?

__**Talk Show**__ Being able to speak publicly is an important skill to practice and to possess. Practice your public speaking skills while analyzing the personalities of the Witness characters.
 * Final Project**
 * 1) Choose three to four partners
 * 2) Choose at least three characters from the novel to portray in a talk show.
 * 3) Adopt a role, whether it is a character or the talk show host.
 * 4) Discuss your thoughts, action and motives with the other characters
 * 5) Write out a script and perform it for the class. The script can either be serious, comedic, or melancholy.

You will be graded on creativity, performance, the script content, and character analysis.