We experienced a witch-hunt simulation. Students were asked to write down their confessions and the names of any other students involved in a school crime. The psychological climate for these confessions was established by a planted student public "apology." We discussed the way in which the members of Salem were ritualistically purified by vicarious confession of others' sins. What does Bigsby mean when he writes, "The purity of one's religious principles is confirmed by collaborating, at least by proxy, in the punishment of those who reject them"? (pp.xvi-xvii) We considered the ways in which this did and did not unite the community. What is the nature of true unity? How does true unity respect the individuality of the members of a community?
The Crucible is not so much an exploration of a historical incident or even witch hysteria, as it is a study of the human tendency to "break charity with one another." (p.xv)
Homework: The "Witch-hunting for Dummies" booklet is due Friday.
AP
We continued studying Orwell's article. We evaluated Orwell's argument. Is he too demanding of our use of language? After all, language is by nature an abstraction and therefore will always be flawed. At the same time, perhaps we feel uncomfortable being told our slovenly use of language reflects an imprecision of thought.
Homework: Current event and vocabulary development
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