Scarlet Letter 6: 126-144

"He had spoken the very truth, and transformed it into the veriest falsehood. And yet, by the constitution of his nature, he loved the truth, and loathed the lie, as few men ever did. Therefore, above all things else, he loathed his miserable self!(131).

Although Dimmesdale feels he cannot be open with his sin, he also finds it a very large burden to keep within himself. He stated that numerous times he went up in the pulpit with the intention of proclaiming his sin to the town, however the best he could do was to tell about his sinful ways in a general sense. However, this backfired on Dimmesdale, and the people thought that if he was sinning, look at how awful they were living. Dimmesdale hated this because he was building himself up in a lie, while actually expressing the truth. He hated that even though he tried to express his sins as much as possible, he found himself being falsely portrayed as even more holy, when he knew that he should be seen as the complete opposite. In "The Crucible," John Proctor also found himself in this situation of doing what he felt the right thing, which meant being falsely portrayed as a saint, which he also felt was sinning in itself. Dimmesdale also feels unworthy of the title the town continues to give him.


"For with the new energy of the moment, all the dread of public exposure, that had so long been the anguish of his life, had returned upon him; and he was already trembling at the conjunction in which- with a strange joy, nevertheless- he now found himself"(139).

Dimmesdale feels that he simply cannot reveal his sin. He finds it to be a matter between himself and God. He feels that this is a harder way to bear a sin, instead of publicly accepting it like Hester. He has to keep his sin and guilt all to himself, while Hester is able to share it with everyone. It seems that this quote helps prove his point. It seems that the energy felt when he connected with Hester and Pearl, made him feel alive. He was recognizing his sin outwardly and he felt better. However, once he realized he could not really outwardly recognize his sin, he felt his burden grow even heavier again.

1. Is Pearl really a Devil-Child?
2. Does Dimmesdale really believe Chillingworth knows nothing of his sin?

Scarlet Letter 5: 107-126

"Roger Chillingworth's aspect had undergone a remarkable change while he had dwelt in town, and especially since his abode with Mr. Dimmesdale. At first his expression had been calm and meditative, scholar-like. Now, there was something ugly and evil about his face, which they had not previously noticed, and which grew still the more obvious to sight the oftener they looked upon him"(116).

Roger Chillingworth seems obsessed with Mr. Dimmesdale. They formed a very close relationship and they even live together. It is rather obvious that Mr. Dimmesdale had the affair with Hester Prynne, and is Pearl's father. In the beginning of the book Chillingworth made it clear that he would not rest until he found out who Pearl's father was. It seems that his quest has turned him cynical and bitter. He appears ugly as his character has changed to be. His character is now unattractive, making him more physically unattractive because he is only filled with hate, anger, and revenge.


"So, to their own unutterable torment, they go about among their fellow-creatures, looking pure as new-fallen snow while their hearts are speckled and spotted with iniquity of which they cannot rid themselves"(121)

Mr. Dimmesdale is Pearl's father, and it is rather clear that Chillingworth figured this out and is now toying with Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale here is explaining how hard his burden is. He has to bear his sin alone, with only God and himself to judge it. He is explaining that he wants to do good things to make up for his sin. However, his heart, no matter how many good deeds are done, is still stained with sin. This is its own awful punishment in that no matter how good a sinner in hiding acts, he still cannot rid himself of a sin that was committed.

1. Will Chillingworth expose Dimmesdale's sin to the town?
2. Is Chillingworth more interested in killing or torturing Dimmesdale physically or emotionally?

Scarlet Letter 4: 91-107

"Hester looked, by way of humoring the child, and she saw that, owing to the peculiar effect of this convex mirror, the scarlet letter was represented in exaggerated and gigantic proportions, so as to be greatly the most prominent feature of her appearance. In truth, she seemed absolutely hidden behind it"(97).

It seems Hester has grown used to wearing her scarlet letter while she is alone. When it is just her and Pearl, Pearl is the reminder of Hester's sin. However, the mirror reminds Hester that she is not viewed by society as a person. She is viewed and judged by her sin. No one looks at Hester for herself, they first notice what she has done wrong. Her true self, and her good heart is hidden from society's view by her sin and its representation as the scarlet letter.



""God gave me the child!" cried she. "He gave her in requital of all things else, which he had taken from me. She is my happiness!- she is my torture, none the less! Pearl keeps me here in life! Pearl punishes me too! See ye not, she is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and so endowed with a million-fold the power of retribution for my sin? Ye shall not take her I will die first!"(103).

Governor Bellingham and other people of the town want to take Pearl away from Hester. They believe that Hester is still full of sin and if she remains Pearl's guardian, Pear will also grow up to become sinful. However, Hester knows this is completely untrue and that she should be able to remain with her child. Pearl is the only thing keeping Hester alive. Pear is her entire world and she loves her and wants her to be the best person possible. Hester learned from her sin and at heart, is not a sinful or evil person, and she knows that she can raise Pearl well. However, while Pearl is Hester's only joy, she is a torture as well. Pearl is a constant reminder to Hester of her sin. Pearl is a walking scarlet letter to Hester. Hester completely views Pearl as a joy, but also as a painful reminder of her sin, which is a punishment in itself.

1. What is the symbol of the red rose that keeps coming up?
2. Is Dimmesdale Pearl's father?

The Scarlet Letter 3: 72-91

"But it is not recorded that, in a single instance, her skill was called in aid to embroider the white veil which was to cover the pure blushes of a bride. The exception indicated the ever-relentless rigor with which society frowned upon her sin"(76).

Hester's job was to embroider beautiful things on garments. She even embroidered for rich people because her work was so beautiful. However, Hester was not allowed to embroider something for a bride. No bride in the town would go to her. It was a mark of her sin that the people simply used her because they had to, they did not really accept her. They did not think someone who committed adultry, who was so impure, deserved to have anything to do with a bride who was faithful. Hester had a child with a man who was not her husband and her sin did not honor marriage at all. The town saw that since she once did not honor marriage when she committed her sin, she should never again have anything to do with promoting marriage.


"From first to last, in short, Hester Prynne had always this dreadful agony in feeling a human eye upon this token; the spot never grew callous; it seemed, on the contrary to grow more sensitive with daily torture"(79).

Everyone could see the scarlet letter that Hester wore. Everyone knew what it meant. Everyone stared at it in awe because they found the meaning behind the A so horrible. Everyone Hester came in contact with was constantly staring at her, and always judging her. All anyone saw when they looked at Hester was her scarlet letter. Although it may seem that one could get used to having people stare, Hester could not. Hester was so ashamed of her sin, and the more that people judged her on it, the more it hurt her. She knew she sinned and she accepted it. The constant staring and judgement day after day was torturous. She was constantly judging her action herself, and the staring of others made the combination almost impossible for her to bear.

1. Does Pearl have some type of power? Or can she merely do no wrong in her mother's eyes
2. Will Hester forgive herself so she can ignore the judgment between others and herself?

Scarlet Letter 2: 56-72

"Truly, friend; and methinks it must gladden your heart, after your troubles and sojourn in the wilderness," said the townsman, "to find yourself, at length, in a land where iniquity is searched out, and punished in the sight of rulers and people, as here in our godly New England"(58).

Roger Chillingworth just explained to a man in the town that he was held captive, but now returned, and wants to be filled in on what is going on with Hester Prynne. The man who responds, can easily be interchanged for any member of that community because they all have the same feelings about that situation, and about sin in general. The man is happy to share the news about Hester's awful sin and punishment. He even states that it will probably make Chillingworth happy to know that people are being punished for wrongdoing. These people are obsessed with finding sin and punishment, just like in "The Crucible." In today's society, we are more focused on the good things people do, not the punishment of people who commit sins.


"Enough, it is my purpose to live and die unknown. Let, therefore, thy husband be to the world as one already dead, and of whom no tidings shall ever come. Recognize me not by word, by sign, by look!"(71).

When Chillingworth speaks to Hester he contradicts himself at numerous points. The situation seems to be that Chillingworth and Hester were once married, but Hester cheated on him and got pregnant, and somehow no one knows that the two were married. Hester is suspicious that Chillingworth wants revenge. However, he assures her that he is on the path of forgiveness and he, "seek no vengeance, plot no evil against thee"(Hawthorne 70). However, if Chillingworth really forgave Hester he would not want to remain unnoticed and he would not be ashamed to be known as her husband. It is understandable that a man who was cheated on would not want to be recognized, but if he truly forgave the woman, then he would be able to stand that judgement.

1. How does no one know that Chllingworth and Hester were married?
2. Why does everyone need to know who the baby's father is so badly?

Scarlet Letter 1: 45-56

"Measured by the prisoner's experience, however, it might be rekoned a journey of some length; for, haughty as her demeanor was, she perchance underwent an agony from every footstep of those that thronged to see her, as if her heart had been flung into the street for them all to spurn and trample upon"(Hawthorne 52).

For anyone being judged by an entire society on a sin could be considered the hardest thing they would ever have to do. No matter how tough someone looks on the outside, on the inside it is agonizing, no matter who is being judged. Hester put a brave face on and accepted her sin. However, standing on that platform no matter how brave, could not protect Hester from being judged by society, and being ripped apart piece by piece. She knew she sinned, and she accepted it, now society could make her feel even worse. The townspeople have the power of banding together and being able to attack whatever they decide not to like, in this case it is Hester and her sin. Like in "The Crucible" the people are easily influenced to join together to go against others and to put them down for sinning. There seems to be no forgiveness in either society, only condemning.



"She clutched the child so fiercely to her breast, that it sent forth a cry; she turned her eyes downward at the scarlet letter, and even touched it with her finger, to assure herself that the infant and the shame were real. Yes!- these were her realities,- all else had vanished!"(56).

Hester's sin is a reality. Unlike John Proctor, her sin is out in the open for the rest of the world to see, this includes herself. She cannot hide her wrongdoing or try to protect herself from it. It is not a dream and she cannot go back to the past. Everyone knows she has sinned, and because of this she is forced to accept it, and deal with the consequences. Standing on that platform made her realize that everything is real. She really sinned and everyone is really against her for it. She accepted that it happened.

1. Will Hester being forced to accept her sin, mean that she can forgive herself more quickly?
2. Will Hester always be ashamed and hurt by standing on the platform?

Essay

Hannah McCaffrey
AP English: F- Mr. George
November 23, 2008
The Crucible Essay

The actions, judgements, and events that took place in Salem in "The Crucible" were tragic. While many characters contributed to the story’s unfortunate results, John Proctor bears more blame for these events than anyone else. John Proctor committed the fundamental action that initiated a series of events leading directly to the Salem witch trials. Although the reasonable and honest John Proctor did not intentionally try to create this situation, he still deserves the most blame.

In "The Crucible," John Proctor is the character who is most responsible for the deplorable acts of the Salem witch trials. He is to blame for the action that started a chain reaction of unfortunate events that resulted in a town’s tragedy. John’s affair with Abigail was a major sin that caused everything else to happen. Even though Abigail was part of the affair, John is more responsible because he is an older, married man. He should be held accountable for the affair since he should have been the one to say no. The results of this affair contribute to the witch trials.

It may seem that Abigail was the main cause of the witch trials because she told many lies. However, she would not have done this if it was not for the affair with John Proctor. John is married to Elizabeth Proctor, and once John ended his affair with Abigail, she became very jealous of Elizabeth, willing to do anything to get John back. John even said it himself, "I’ll tell you what’s walking in Salem–vengeance is walking in Salem"(Miller 77). She was so desperate that she even resorted to witchcraft. As Betty explained, "You did, you did! You drank a charm to kill John Proctor’s wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!"(Miller 19). If John never agreed to an affair with Abigail, she would never have resorted to witchcraft, which was accompanied by countless lies. John Proctor’s own actions greatly affected the actions of many other characters, especially Abigail’s. John Proctor’s thoughts and actions had such an impact on others that they even affected the actions of his wife, Elizabeth Proctor.

One of the major recurring themes of "The Crucible" is pride and protecting one’s name. John Proctor is by no means immune to this. Although he was very honest, Proctor was a proud man nonetheless. He was very ashamed of his affair with Abigail and was reluctant to reveal this great sin. He was honest, and did eventually tell Elizabeth about the affair, but he was also very hesitant to expose his sin to others because of the damage that it would do to his name and reputation.

This attitude rubbed off on Elizabeth at what could have been a major turning point in the plot. Danforth brought in Elizabeth to see if she could confirm Proctor’s story about his affair with Abigail. Elizabeth lied and said nothing about the affair. The Proctors were honest people and Proctor realized why Elizabeth lied, "She thought only to save my name!"(113). The trial should have ended at this point and it was John Proctor’s fault that it did not end here. His affair and pride in his name led Elizabeth to want to protect John’s reputation, as well. Even though this was done inadvertently, it is still John’s fault because it was his thoughts and actions that influenced others.

John Proctor certainly did not intend to cause something so awful. He is to blame for the false accusations and hangings of the witch trials. Fundamentally, John Proctor was a good and truthful man who took responsibility for his actions, and even blamed himself for all of the events. John blaming himself for these actions is evidence in itself that he is mostly responsible. He openly states that he is at fault for everything that happened in Salem, "I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face"(120). He sees his actions as so wicked that he calls himself the devil because he failed to tell the truth from the beginning. He sees his actions and sins and how they influenced others and believes them to be more evil than the devil. Also some of Proctor’s dialogue with other characters shows how he was "angered–at himself as well"(23). He openly takes responsibility for being the most at fault for the witch trials.

Although they were not intentional, Proctor’s actions make him the most at fault for the events in "The Crucible." His initial and continuing thoughts and actions started chain reactions, leading directly to the disastrous witch trials. Being an honest, overall good person cannot save John Proctor from bearing the most responsibility, and the most blame, for the saddening results of this novel.

Letter 3: Proctor to Elizabeth after his death

My dearest Elizabeth,

I cannot ever fully express my gratitude and love for you. I know I made a seemingly unforgivable mistake. I was unfaithful, and worst of all that led to this immense tragedy, something that would be almost unbearable hard and painful for you. I never wanted to hurt you Elizabeth, I know that I did, and I cannot believe it. With one mistake I played a part in unraveling our whole world. I am sure it would seem strange to say that oddly enough, I have learned a lot through all of this.

Elizabeth, you taught me more than I could have ever dreamed. Starting on the simplest level, believe it or not, I learned loyalty from you. You inspire me to be honest in all my thoughts and actions, to be truthful and trustworthy, especially to you. However, the value that you taught me that I treasure the most, is forgiveness. Elizabeth, you forgave me, after I did the unthinkable. I committed a great sin, that led to nothing but more pain and hurt for you and our family. You still forgave me. For this I cannot thank you enough. Especially, since it also allowed me to be able to forgive myself.

If it was not for you, I would not have been able to forgive myself for all of my actions. You taught me how. Elizabeth, it was you who allowed me to do the right thing, and remain an honest man, while in doing so, uphold my dignity. I was able to die an honest man, and in my eyes for a noble cause. I would not have let myself do this if I did not learn how to forgive myself from you. I would have gone on living for the wrong reasons. I cannot thank you enough, or express to you how much you have enlightened me. I am sorry I had to leave you, but all I ask is for you to remember that I am always with you, and without you, I don’t know where I would have ended up, but it certainly not would have been here in heaven. Thank you Elizabeth.

Love,
John

Letter 2: Hale's Journal entry

Dear Journal,

It is I, Hale, writing to you yet again. I thought I knew everything. I thought I knew completely all of it. How could I have been so wrong? I was extensively educated and I am certainly considered an intelligent man. I was the most sought after witch craft expert in all of Massachusetts. I do not know where it was that I went wrong. I had all of the right qualifications. I was trying to do the right thing, to purify a town and spread Christianity. Something turned out horribly wrong, I do not know how I could have gone so far off the right path.

I came into Salem thinking that I knew what to expect. I thought that I would find signs of witch craft, especially since a group of girls were witnesses. Numerous amounts of people were accused of witch craft. I could not disprove their loyalty to the devil without a confession. I let them all hang. There was an uproar of witch craft in Salem, I did not think the town would be set right until the assumed source was eliminated. I had to do it. I did it for the town. If they never found out the truth, everything would have gone smoothly. I thought my knowledge of witch craft could justify these accusations and hangings. I did it for the right reasons. I wanted a pure town without even a thought of witch craft. Are those not good intentions?

It is true, I had good thoughts. I do not mean to be arrogant, but it is the simple truth. However, even though I never intended for any of this to happen, lives were ended because of me. Deaths of innocent people occurred that I could have, and should have stopped. I am a reverend, and I let people die right before me. The one that hurt me the worst was John Proctor. If only I convinced him to live, if only I got him to confess, then maybe I would have been able to redeem my dignity. It is true he died for noble reasons, however, I wish that he lived, just the same. He did not deserve to die, I should have stopped him, then maybe all of my wrongs would have been undone. Now we will never know. We will never know what would have happened if I prevented this tragedy. That is a thought that will haunt me forevermore.

-Reverend Hale

Letter 1: Abigail to John after he died

To my dearest true love,

My one and only John, words cannot express how much I miss you, how much I have missed you. It is awful to think that our parting words before your passing were those of anger. However, John, you were, and still are, my one true love. I know you were angry with me when the start of all this happened, and you could have only gotten even more mad at my actions, but I am asking for your forgiveness. John, you know I have never loved another more than you, but I cannot go another night without things being right between us. I loved you with all of my heart, nothing less, and I know that you loved me back despite everything that has happened that threatened to tear us even further apart. I know you will forgive me John, but I also know that I need to further express my endless love for you anyway.

Do you remember when we first fell in love? The only way to describe it was magic. From the moment we were together I knew that nothing, not even your unseen tragic death, could ever end our love. It started with the single lie about witchcraft. You saw right through that lie to the real me, and even though you denied it at the time, I know having to stay with Elizabeth broke your heart. I know it hurt you to leave me at the time and I am more than sorry that I played a part in driving you away.

I cannot forgive myself, knowing that my lies led to your fate absolutely kills me. I know you will find it in your heart to forgive me, but I cannot bear the thought that it was I who took you away from me. As for Elizabeth, I could not bear to see the two of you together. For what she has gone through, I do not apologize. We both know that we were the ones meant to be eternally together. I apologize for us not being together right this very second. I miss you terribly, and I know you do, too. We will be together soon, this time forever, just like we are supposed to be. I love you always, John.

Love,
Abigail

page 128-145

"Proctor: Would you give them such a lie? Say it. Would you ever give them this? She cannot answer. You would not; if tongs of fire were singeing you you would not! It is evil. Good, then-it is evil, and I do it!" (138).

Proctor is torn weather or not to save himself by falsely confessing to witchcraft and give up his friends, or to be hanged. Proctor has been honest and truthful throughout the entire play, and now we see his honesty faltering. Of course he wants to live, especially for Elizabeth, his wife. However, because of Proctor's truthful and just heart, he cannot bear to falsely give up a confession and lie to live. To help him make his decision, he compares himself to what Elizabeth would do, and finds that since she would not lie to save herself, it must be an evil choice.




"Elizabeth, supporting herself from collapse, grips the bars of the window, and with a cry: He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!" (145).

Elizabeth will not convince Proctor to make a false confession even though she wants him to live. This shows how honest and truthful the Proctors are. Also, by not falsely confessing, it seems that Proctor is finally forgiving himself for everything that he as done wrong. Elizabeth knows that Proctor has always felt bad for his actions and now that it seems like doing the ultimate right thing allowed Proctor to forgive himself, and Elizabeth does not want to take that away from him.

1. Do those trying to convince Proctor to confess honestly believe he is a witch, or are they trying to make up for what they have done?
2. Does someone who confesses clear their name with the justice of the town of Salem, but not necessarily with God?

page 113-127

Proctor: "You are pulling Heaven down and raising up a whore!" (120).

Proctor makes this remark after the girls pretended to see a bird that was the spirt of the Devil and of Mary Warren, and after he was betrayed by Mary Warren. Danforth, as he has done all along, continues to not believe or hear out any argument that is against his beliefs or Abigail's, and this is all of Proctor's arguement. Proctor is frustrated that no one believes the truth and that he is betrayed by Mary Warren. God has left the town of Salem, along with justice. This quote is Proctor's loss of hope in unconvering because the town simply refuses to accept it, and God. While they put down justice and God, they are protecting and glorifying a group of liars and whores.


Parris: "Excellency, it profit nothing you should blame me. I cannot think they would run off except they fear to keep in Salem any more. He is pleading. Mark it, sir, Abigail had close knowledge of the town, and since the news of Andover has broken here-" (127).

This quote is the beginning of everyone starting to realize that Abigail fooled everyone. Parris noted that he believes Abigail and Mercy Lewis stole all of his money and ran away. He feels the only reason they would do this would be because they were scared about staying in Salem, especially since the town of Andover rebelled against witch trials. He is beginning to connect that if they were telling the truth, they would have no reason to leave Salem. Therefore they must have been lying. This information is shared with Danforth. Hopefully now the truth will start coming together for everyone who has not been just throughout this time.

1. Why does Proctor's quote at the end of page 120 state that he will burn with those such as Danforth?
2. Why in the world did Mary Warren decide to stab Proctor in the back?

page 98-113

"Abigail: I have been hurt, Mr. Danforth; I have seen my blood runnin' out! I have been near to murdered every day because I done my duty pointing out the Devil's people-and this is my reward? To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like a-" (108).

This is a quote that characterizes Abigail perfectly. She claims that she is hurt and offended when she is suspected of lying or cheating. She is controlling and manipulative of everyone who disagrees with her. She is able to persuade and manipulate Danforth into never trying to cross her. Abigail is true to this theme throughout the entire book. She forces the girls to go along with her lies, and uses Mary Warren. She threatens Proctor about him telling the truth about their relationship. She also fools Parris with her lies and is on her way to tricking and controlling Danforth. She is a dishonest and manipulative person.



"Proctor: She thought only to save my name!" (113).

This quote from Proctor occurred after he confessed that he cheated on his wife with Abigail, and when Elizabeth was brought in the courtroom, the story she presented did not match up to Proctor's. The only reason that Elizabeth did not state that Proctor cheated was because she wanted to protect him and save his name. She thought she was doing the right thing. This shows us what kind of people the Proctors are. Proctor has been nothing but honest, both with his wife and in court. We see here that Goody Proctor is like her husband, trying to do the right thing. It makes us see that the Proctors are good, sensible people and in this hard time of lies and deceit that is a respectable quality to find.

1. Did Hale want Proctor to get a lawyer so the argument would be better and the people accused of witchcraft would be freed?
2. Why does Danforth not like Mr. Parris if they are, for the most part, on the same side?

page 83-98

"Danforth: I pray you, Mr. Parris. Do you know, Mr. Proctor, that the entire contention of the state in these trials is that the voice of Heaven is speaking through the children?"(88).

Mr. Danforth in this passage is somewhat twisting the truth and reasonableness. Mr. Proctor brought up this seemingly unfathomable possibility to Danforth that the girls are lying about witches. Proctor is bringing the up the truth, supported by evidence, and Danforth's response makes this proposal seem outrageous since the trial is based on the idea that the chldren are speaking straight from Heaven. Danforth's idea of what is right is twisted, Proctor's logic and evidence is nothing compared to God speaking through a group of teenage girls. It shows how disorderly this society is becoming.



"Danforth: But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there is no road between. This is a sharp time, now, a precise time- we live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. Now by God's grace, the shining sun is up, and them that fear not light will surely praise it"(94).

This quote shows the obsession of keeping up power and titles. Proctor is not trying to go against the court or insult Danforth, he is trying to free his wife and set the truth free about the lying girls. This quote by Danforth is one example of the insecurity of people with high statuses and how much they value their credibility and authority. Danforth's hostility and defense of himself and the court is excessive when Proctor brought up the truth. The town and people in authority would rather maintain their good names than be honest and do their jobs well.

1. Is Goody Proctor lying about being pregnant?
2. Will Proctor's evidence and Mary Warren be accepted as evidence? Or will the court continue along with relying on the thoughts and words of others?

crucible pg. 69-83

"Giles: It's a pity, Ezekiel, that an honest tailor might have gone to Heaven must burn in Hell. You'll burn for this, do you know it?" (72).

This quote notes how because of all of this witchcraft madness, innocent people who would normally go to Heaven, are now going to be killed and go to Hell because they are accused of being witches. This is showing how insane the town is going. These people being accused have nothing to do with the devil and should have a clean name, and even if we have no control over if someone goes to Heaven or Hell, everyone here on earth still will perceive them as if they went to Hell. The second sentence in the quote reestablishes how wrong this act really is and that the people who are persecuting the so-called witches are the ones actually in the wrong and they are the ones who will end up going to Hell.


"Proctor: Pontius Pilate! God will not let you wash your hands of this" (77).

This quote is simple, but it gives a lot of insight into how wrong this witch hunt really is. Proctor made a very bold statement by comparing those who are being accused of witches to Jesus, who was condemned and sent to death by Pilate. The point he was trying to make by this was neither should have died because they committed no wrong actions. The second part of this quote continues to explain that these people who are accused of witchcraft are not really wrong at all. It is the people who are accusing them that are the sinners and are doing something unforgiveable by sending these innocent people to their deaths.

1. Why would Abigail want to accuse Proctor of something since she says she is truly in love with him?
2. Since Goody Proctor's spirit didn't do it, how did Abigail get stabbed with a needle at dinner?

Crucible pg 36-49

• "Hale, with a tasty love of intellectual pursuit: Here is all the invisible world, caught, defined, and calculated. In these books the Devil stands stripped of all his brute disguises" (39).
  

This quote describes the thoughts about witchcraft overall during this time period and how it affects certain types of people. Almost everyone who knows of Betty's condition in the town thinks that the source behind it is witchcraft. They don't even really consider any other possible causes. However, Reverend Hale is an educated man from out of town. He at least brings the possibility of there being a reason behind everything that has gone on. However, the possibility of witchcraft is still left open by Reverend Hale. This shows that almost everyone around this time believed in witchcraft, and although educated people like Reverend Hale had better reasoning than uneducated people, they still saw witchcraft as being real.

• "Hale: You have confessed yourself to witchcraft, and that speaks a wish to come to Heaven's side. And we will bless you, Tituba" (46).

This shows how unfair this situation is becoming. Hale and Parris who are questioning Tituba get a confession out of her. Instead of being angry, they want to bribe her into giving out more names of who may be involved with the Devil. This raises the question of do they really believe in witchcraft, or are they simply looking for those who disobey the rules and who are going against society. It gives insight into finding out what the real motives and thoughts Hale and Parris have about witchcraft.

1. Was Betty really unable to get up or has she been faking the whole time?
2. Why did Mrs. Putnam send her daughter to have Tituba conjure up the dead?

Character List

Reverend Parris- Betty's father, mid 40s, Reverend of Salem, insecure, preaches about damnation, does not like children
Abigail- 17 years old, Reverend Parris' niece, used to work for Mrs. Proctor but had an affair with John Proctor so got fired and now no one likes her, danced in the woods with everyone, lies about what went on in the woods, crazy, can't tell what she is lying and telling the truth about
Mrs. Ann Putnam- having similar problems like Betty with her own daughter, first 7 children died at birth
Mr. Putnam-
Tituba- Slave from Barbados, caring, in woods with girls, many people thing she can talk with dead/devil, confesses herself to witchcraft, gives names of those who are with the devil
Mercy- Putnam servant, danced in woods
Mary Warren- Proctor servant, danced in woods
Betty Parris- age 10, Reverend Parris' daughter, was in woods, now thought to be possessed
John Proctor- farmer in mid 30s, had an affair with Abigail, tries to do the right thing, does not agree with Parris' teachings
Rebecca Nurse- wife of Francis, 72, white hair, thought highly of, good morals
Giles Corey- suspicious of his wife Martha and books, 80s, blamed for everything, innocent and brave, stopped praying
Reverend John Hale- Minister of Beverley, educated, knows about and believes in witchcraft

page 20-36

"These people had no ritual for the washing away of sins. It is another trait we inherited from them. and it has helped to discipline us as well as to breed hypocrisy among us" (20).

This quote presents the issue of what the religion of the people of Salem is fundamentally about, and how it has affected our lives today. The people of Salem like having sinners. They put down people who sin in very cruel ways. Not having sins washed away leaves a mark, and the people of Salem like keeping this mark on those who sin, and making sure they don't have it themselves They take sin very seriously, and take pride in themselves when they are not in a state of sin and someon else is. However, the people of Salem fail to realize that they themselves are sinners. They are told this whenever they go to Church, but it seems that they hold themselves to higher standards since they restrict their fun and replace it with solemness and prayer. This hypocrisy is still prevalent today. We are quick ignore or push aside our own sins but we can somehow point out the sins in others immediately.

"Proctor: I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation. Take it to heart, Mr. Parris. There are many others who stay away from church these days because you hardly ever mention God any more" (29).

This quote gives insight into the darkness of how the people of Salem live their lives and what their religion is now about, and it also gives hope that one day it will end. All the people hear about is sin, hell, and damnation. The people hear how awful everything is, and they do not hear about God. Their religion has become looking for the sins in others and marking them, instead of finding God's goodness inside everyone. This passage is hopeful because although almost entirely the whole town of Salem who believes in sin first and God second, Proctor represents at least one person who feels differently and a character who seems like a voice of reason and is more relatable to us.

1. What is truly the relationship between Abigail and John Proctor?
2. What were the girls doing in the woods, were they dancing, pretending, or really trying to perform witchcraft?

Reverend Samuel Parris- mid 40's, insecure, snobby, widower, disliked children, used to be a merchant, now minister

"At the time of these events Parris was in his middle forties.  In history he cut a villanious path...and mouths shut until bidden to speak" (Miller 4).

Betty Parris- 10 years old, daughter of Reverend Parris, sick in bed not awake

Tituba- slave from Barbados, 40's, cautious of trouble, caring, hard working

Perspective of a homosexual high school student in the closet

Dear Journal,

Another school day today. I woke up early, trying to pick out what to wear. I decided on a new outfit that I got last Friday night with my girl-friend, not my girlfriend. Who, no matter what she thinks, is just my friend. No matter how hard I try, that’s all she’ll ever be. Anyway, I got ready for school and went to go pick up Ryan. He hopped in the car and gave me a look up and down. I knew what that look meant, I’d seen it before.
"Really Mike? Why do you have to get so dressed up just for school? You can’t always win a girl over with just your clothes."
I didn’t say anything, I just laughed nervously. I wasn’t trying to win a girl over with my clothes. I was trying to get through another school day. Why should he care if I wanted to look nice?
The school day was going by as usual, teachers, work, boredom. Then, it was time to break for lunch. Our lunch table is made up of pretty much all of my best friends, and the guys who I always hang out with. Of course the usual topics come up. Our only two topics, in fact: sports and girls.
"Mike, why don’t you get with Amanda? She’s cute, she’s an athlete, and you know she likes you. Why wouldn’t you wanna go for her?"
I stare at the table and trying to seem careless, shrug my shoulders. "I dunno. She’s just not for me I guess." Unsatisfied with my answer, the lunch table conversation continued.
I sat there thinking to myself, a thought that always comes to mind no matter how much I push it back. I want to tell them, I do, but I want them to stay my friends even more. I want to be normal, but being normal isn’t pretending to be somebody you’re not. I want them to be able to stick by me and understand. I’m still Mike, I’m still the same person, I’m still their friend. Will they be able to understand this?

From the perspective of a girl with anorexia

Dear Diary,

I’m absolutely dreading school tomorrow. Today was awful, I just don’t want to go back, ever. I don’t like being home much really either. Nothing makes me happy anymore. I woke up really early. I didn’t get much sleep last night, again. I got dressed and wore sweat pants and a sweatshirt. Nothing looks good on me anymore. I wish I could look decent in normal clothes. I’m too gross to look good in anything. I went downstairs and started packing my bag, getting ready to walk out the door. My mom’s so annoying, she keeps telling me that I should start eating breakfast. I always tell her I’m not hungry early in the mornings, and that I don’t want to eat. That’s not lying, I don’t want to eat... at all.

I got to school and went through my morning. Class was pretty boring as usual. I like being with my friends a lot. They’re all so pretty. All of them are skinny and look perfect in whatever they’re wearing. I wish I could look like that. Whenever I’m with them I always feel like everyone’s comparing us, and seeing how much better and skinnier they look than me. Lunch time came soon enough. I didn’t want to eat, especially after seeing how pretty and skinny my friends looked today. I just sat there miserably while everyone else ate and laughed. I told them that I didn’t like the school lunch, and that I’d just eat when I got home.

I got home and did my homework. My mom didn’t feel like cooking, she ordered a pizza instead. What used to be a heavenly smell now disgusted me. I hated how good it looked, and hated myself even more for wanting it. I should want to be skinny more than I wanted pizza. I told my parents I didn’t feel good, and went upstairs. I decided to go to bed early, I’ve been so tired lately, I don’t have any energy from food. Getting ready for bed I stared at myself in the mirror. I was disgusted. I’m absolutely huge. Huge and unhappy. No matter what I do or how much I try, I can’t seem to look the way I want. If I keep trying I hope that one day I’ll look better, I don’t care what it takes to get there, no matter how much pizza I have to pass up. I just want to look good one day, I just want to be happy.

From the perspective of the worst kid on a sports team

Dear Journal,

One word to sum up my day yet again, embarrassing. This morning I had to wear my jersey to school, for that huge stupid pep-really this afternoon. You can bet that got a lot of great comments from my classmates. It sure doesn’t help that I’m number 0. Ironic right? Yeah, well the whole morning I had to deal with those stupid comments, "Oh, hey I didn’t know you were on the team" and "Don’t you need to play to have a jersey?". Real great comebacks. I hate that I’m a joke to my entire class. All the other guys on the team got their lockers decorated, I did, too, but a bunch of people said I shouldn’t have, only people who play should. Well, whatever, I know I don’t play much, I guess everyone else does, too.

The pep-rally was awful. The ENTIRE school was there, and everyone on the team had to make a lay up. I’ve been working SO hard on my left-handed lay ups. Every practice I try really hard at them, and I have improved, I just wish everyone else noticed. Well, I of course missed my lay up.. In front of the entire school. I was the only one who missed. I even got boo’d. It was awful. Even everyone on the team was laughing.

Did I mention that we had a game today, too? Homecoming game, and we were playing really hard team. We were up by a few, when I was spaced out on the bench, as usual. I was in shock when coach called me over to go in. I was so happy, but really nervous, I didn’t want to mess up... and of course I did. When I walked in the game the crowd cheered for me, but not in a way that made me feel good, it was sarcastic, I could just tell. Well, the game started up again and I actually got the ball. Me, actually getting the ball, and then as you can guess, I actually got the ball stolen from me. Some of the guys encouraged me, they’re my teammates, and they knew I didn’t mean to do it, but I still felt dumb. I got taken out of the game the next play.

I used to love basketball. I don’t know what happened. I work my ass off every practice, and I get a little bit better, but I’m still not good enough. I’m not good enough to get in the games anyway. I want to get better. I want to be able to be on everyone else’s level. I’m sick of being the laughing stock of our team and our school.

Notes- Perespective of someone with mental retardation

Notes on the perspective of someone with mental retardation:

• not having a lot of friends
• not being able to do what everyone else is doing
• being made fun of
• not being treated like a real/regular person
• not being able to express yourself well
• feeling different
• being excluded
• comparing yourself to others
• working hard at things people take for granted

#5 Letter asking permission to marry husband

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Someone,

First of all, I would just like to say that it has been a pleasure getting to know you these past few years. I remember when your son first introduced us, I was incredibly nervous. However, time went on and we got to know each other more and more. I have appreciated and loved getting to know you both and have grown to love spending time with all of us together. I’m so happy that we have gotten the chance to form a good relationship, and that your son and I have also had a great relationship, as well.
What I am about to tell you, is something that I really hope you both will be happy about, because I know that we are extremely happy. Your son and I are so happy together and with how things have been going, we would like to get married. We were both extremely nervous about telling you, just because it is something so hugely import. So, we thought of the idea of writing it all out. You both have been so supportive of us the whole time we have been together. I sincerely hope that you continue this.
Your son and I are really in love and we think that it is time that we go ahead and get married. We have been together for a while now. We never stopped being there for each other, and have always taken care of each other through everything. We have been through ups and downs and everything in between, and came out of everything stronger. We really love each other and care about one another. I know that you have seen us during our whole relationship and seen how we truly feel about each other. I know that you see how happy we are together, and how happy we make each other. I also know that seeing how happy we are, makes you happy, too.
I really hope that this is exciting news for you because I can barely express how happy I am about everything. Everything is really coming together, and we would both love for you to be a huge part in everything that we hope is to come.

Love your future daughter in law,
Hannah

#4 Letter from a body part

Dear Hannah,

You’ve had to know that this was coming. I’ve been hurting for a while. Your right knee has too, he’s just not quite as banged up as I am, hence why I’m the angry one voicing my opinion. Just take the time to look at me, right now. Yeah, that wasn‘t pretty. Imagine if that was your face, then you’d realize what I have to deal with all the time. I’m all swollen and bruised and cut up and gross. All thanks to you.
I have come to accept the fact that you play sports, and that you, well let’s just say, are not the most graceful athlete to ever play a sport. Also, you certainly have no fear of the floor. I’ve put up with this for our whole entire life, but if you want to keep me well and working, you’ve got to be at least a little more careful. Take right now for instance, it’s volleyball season. PLEASE remember to wear you kneepads. Almost all last week you forgot them at practice and we both got pretty bruised and cut up. I know you like to play hard, but could you at least TRY to land a little more lightly? Lately I’ve been getting complaints from your hips and hands about falling, too. But really, the kneepad thing, you have to remember to wear them, and to keep pulling them up during games because that little superman dive during the Lowell Catholic game, well things haven’t been too pretty after that.
I’m also absolutely dreading basketball season. That’s always the worst. It’s no use asking you not to dive for a ball or hit the floor because I know you will anyway. However, just after I get banged up, please take care of me. Aside from your right knee, ice is my absolute best friend. Softball doesn’t really bother me too much, but stop acting like you know how to slide. Running full speed at the ground and then falling next to the base does not mean you can slide, Hannah. Learn how, and stop thinking you’re doing it right because that scar from last spring proves you wrong.
I’m not anticipating much of a change in you playing sports, or me hitting the ground hard. Just please at least make the effort to take care of me after I get hurt. I can’t take much more of weeks of being bruised and bloody. Just make sure to stock up on ice and band aids and I guess we can call it even.

Sincerely,
Your Left Knee

#3 Thank you letter to coach

Dear Mr. Kmack,

This volleyball season has really been a great one so far. I am very happy to say that it is not over yet. One more regular season game versus Pope John and a chance to get revenge. I know we are all planning on winning that game. Pretty soon we will be off to states and we are all planning on going far. We have done well all season for the most part. This whole season so far has been really great. We have a great group of girls and we have grown together to become a really strong team and we all really genuinely care about this season, and more importantly, each other.
I think that I can speak for the whole team when I say that we really could not have accomplished all that we have this season if it was not for you. Everyone has grown and improved immensely. From the beginning of the season until now it is amazing to look at the progress we have made. From our passing, to serve reception, hitting, to serving, the improvements are all great. Along with helping us gain the skills we have needed to improve and do so well this season, you have also helped us become a better team. You have showed us how to work together and to communicate so that we can win and even lose together.
We all love you being our coach, and honestly do appreciate everything you do for us, even if we do not show it all of the time. We are hard to put up with some of the time, well, pretty much all of the time. We keep you on the edge of your seat during games and frustrate you at practice. Once in a great while we argue with you, sing a little too loudly in the van, and even poke fun at you. Thank goodness you do not have to deal with that everyday or anything.
Mr. Kmack I really am thankful for all that you do for me, and for the team. You really are one of the best coaches that I have ever had. You joke with us and put up with us. You teach us, coach us, believe in us, motivate us, and never give up on us. You have done a lot for me as a volleyball player, an athlete, and as a person. I want to thank you for being a great coach, Mr. Kmack. I know that myself and the whole team cannot tell you how thankful and appreciative of you we really are.

Thank you,
Hannah

#2 Letter from an animal to you

Dear Hannah,

I bet you are surprised to see that I would be able to write you a letter. Not because I am a dog or anything, just because I do not come off as the brightest crayon in the box all the time. First of all, I just wanted to say that last night’s dinner was quite excellent. Well, the second dinner that you snuck me, and the third was good too. I sure do love when mom makes dinner that you do not really like. I do not know how you did not like that chicken pot pie she made last night because from what you gave me it was absolutely delicious. You should tell her to make it more often. It will score some daughter points with you, and then I will get to eat it. I think it really is the perfect situation. Also, that pizza you had for yourself after dinner that you shared with me was exquisite as well. You know how much I enjoy the crust.

I do have some requests, too. I know it is not summer anymore or anything but I was wondering if you guys could keep cooking out on the grill. Lately I’ve been craving some cheeseburger or some juicy steak. Those are my absolute favorites. I know it is cold but I think that we would both agree that the end results are worth it. You guys have all been saying that you are feeding me too much extra food lately, and that I am putting on a couple of pounds. That does not mean at all that you should feed me any less, just think of it as more to cuddle with.

Well, all of this thinking and letter writing is making me pretty darn tired. This is probably more activity and brain power used in this than the past two weeks combined. Today has just been really tough, eating, sleeping all day, and then writing this has really taken a toll on me. I think I’m going to go take a nap. I will be up for dinner time, both yours and mine. Also, I expect you to come over and cuddle with me and pet me pretty soon so I fall asleep. I love you Hannah.

Love the king of the house,
Wilson

#1 A letter to yourself from yourself (ten years ago)

Dear 26 year old Hannah,
I wonder if you (or I, I suppose?) will remember writing this. In case you don’t, this is your sixteen-year-old self. I am writing a letter for me to open when I’m 26. The intention behind this letter is not to have some huge impact that will change your life once it is read again. I am really writing it now just as a reminder. I just wanted to remind you about everything you might have forgotten because knowing me now, being forgetful is not going to change anytime soon, or ever, for that matter. I want to remind myself when I’m older of what I have been through, who I am, and who right now, I hope to become.

Right now I do not know what I really want or where you ended up right now. I want to finish out high school with good grades and doing well with sports. I want to get into a good college. I do not know really where I want to go yet. All I can say is that it better be somewhere in either New York City or Boston. I want to go a big school, hopefully. I do not really know what I want to study in college, or even what I hope to become. I want to do everything, and I do not know how I ever narrowed it down, or even if you did that yet. I want to become rich and famous. I want to be rockstar, a princess, or a superstar athlete making a whole lot of money. More realistically, however, I hope to have a job I can enjoy, and have a comfortable life. I was thinking of going to college for business, and then maybe becoming a fashion designer. Becoming a lawyer has also always been on my list. Lately I’ve wanted to become a journalist or something along those lines, so, it is hard for me to say what direction I really want to go in.

No matter where I ended up and what job I have now, or what college I went to, most of all I hope that you are happy. With whatever job I have or however much money I’m making, the most important thing that I want is to be happy. I don’t know now if at 26 I’m married and have kids. I want to have a family and great friends always by my side. I hope you are surrounded by people who love you and care about you, because even at 16 I have learned a lot about that. I hope that lesson is something that I have continued to carry throughout my life. I hope that I have grown into someone that I would be proud of, the person that I would want to become. I hope that this is a reminder to stay on track and in remembering who I was, who I am, and who I want to become in the future.

Love,
16 year old Hannah

Forgiveness Letter

Dear Hannah,

I think you know what this is going to be about. Before I start, I just want you to know that I love you, even when you hurt me and make me angrier than I could ever believe. It’s just that lately, you haven’t been there for me like I’ve needed you to be. I’d do absolutely anything in the world for you, and you know that. I feel like lately I’ve put in all of the effort, and I’m tired of you not giving any back. It truly hurts me to think that you don’t put the effort back in. I know you care, but it hurts to think that you don’t want to show me that you do. My 18th birthday Hannah, and you didn’t even get me anything. My own girlfriend didn’t even get me a present. I don’t even really want anything, I just wanted the effort from you more than anything, and for you to show me that you care. It’s not about my birthday or what you were planning on getting me. That’s not the point, it’s just the point that I hope will make you see everything. I’m only human and I can’t be in a one way relationship. I know you care about me and if this is going to work I need you to show me. My birthday was just the final thing that made me see why I’ve been unhappy and it was just the final straw that made everything hurt even worse. It’s that you haven’t been trying for me that hurts the most.

Hannah I wrote you this not out of anger, but out of forgiveness. You hurt me, and I’m not going to deny that you did at all, but I forgive you. It’s because I care about you that you can hurt me. It’s not the first time you’ve hurt me, and to be honest it won’t be the last. I trust you and I know that you’re always going to try for me. It’s because I have faith in you that you really do care enough about me and about us, that you will work to make all of this better. That’s why I’m able to forgive you, because I know that you would, and that you have done the same for me. I’m going to be honest that forgiving you isn’t easy, but for you and us I can do it. I love you.

Love you always,
Elio

Intros

"You guys are my best friends." "Yeah, you’re my best friends, too." "And mine, too."
And we all really were best friends. It wasn’t a big production, but we didn’t need one. We all knew those simple words really meant a lot to each other. We were eating dinner at our favorite restaurant on a typical Friday night. It’s the simple ways of finding fun and reassuring each other of promises in small ways that keep us best friends.

I absolutely melted. Never had a single hug meant more than that in my entire life.
I can honestly say it was one of the worst days of my entire life, and all I needed was a hug. As soon as school let out I ran to go find him and I did right away. I threw my bag down and burst into tears. I didn’t have to explain myself or put on a grown up act. All I had to do was open my arms and in return I got one of the best hugs I could have ever asked for. It was a hug that screamed "I love you."

We were all together for a whole week. Who knew what was going to happen?
We sure didn’t know what was going to happen but we knew it would be fun. Four best friends going away down the cape together for a whole week. Especially with us, no one knew what was coming, but then again we never do. Summer 2008 was the most fun summer I ever had, and it was going to end this week. We all knew that since it was ending, we had to end it in the best way possible.

I passed the test on Monday, June 30th.
I had been talking about it for about the past year: my permit test. I’m the youngest out of pretty much all of my friends and I was just able to get my permit when everyone else was getting there licenses. I was so jealous of everyone else and I made an even bigger deal about wanting to drive. Of course since I wanted my permit so badly, my birthday naturally had to fall on a Sunday when the DMV isn’t open, so I had to wait a whole extra day. Not studying for the test I was very nervous, and I thought I failed, but I ended up passing, and got to drive that same day.

And sometimes I can't breathe, but in the best way possible.
Nothing big even has to happen. Sometimes it's just a look, a hug, or grabbing my hand, but it's all of the little things that add up to meaning a lot that can take your breath away. When that happens its the best feeling in the world and nothing could be better. It makes you smile from the inside out and theres is absolutely nothing that could mean more.

Unflattering Thing 2

Freshman year is all kind of a blur now. I remember always being nervous and having way more work than I was used to. It started off as an okay year, as okay as anyone’s freshman year is. I met lots of new people, played sports, and did my work. What I remember most about my freshman year is what I did on the weekends.
Everyone looks forward to the weekend. I still do now, everyone needs time to relax. Since freshman year I did not really know anyone that well and did not especially love school, I looked forward to the weekends where I could hang out with my best friends, most of which went to a different school than me. There were five of us that always hung out. We were best friends, and we did absolutely everything together. We had the best times together and were inseparable.
As the year went on, it became harder to hang out every Friday and Saturday night. We all played sports and games and activities got in the way, but we talked all the time and hung out as much as we could. We all started making new friends, but we all wanted each other to be happy and have friends. We saw each other as much as possible and it was like we were never apart.
The year kept on going, and my friend Taylor and I stopped talking as much. It started by being busy to hang out, and we all understood. Making plans does not always work out. However, toward the end of the year, the hanging out stopped. The phone began to ring less. IM’s became a lot less frequent. We all realized what was happening. I tried to keep hanging out with her and talk to her as much as she wanted to, but I realized I did not want a one way friendship. I did not want a friend who I cared about, but who did not care about me. If she did not want to make the effort to hang out with me anymore, I was not going to make the effort either. When she stopped trying, so did I.
This was not the right way to go about the situation. We never talked anything out, we just stopped talking. She was being selfish, and I was being selfish right back. Two wrongs do not make a right, but I did not care. I have seen her around and talked to her briefly, but nothing has really changed. We’ll never be the same.

Last Minute Work

Every school year we get summer reading, and every year I just barely get it done. So why should going into junior year be any different? Since I started doing summer reading I’d buy the books two weeks before school started, staying up late the few nights before school started to finish (and start) all of the books. I had a system, and it had been working out for me, for the most part, my whole life. At least, I thought it had been working out, since I manage to get my work done every year.
Going into junior year, I was taking two AP classes. I have never taken AP classes this year and I knew that I could expect a lot more work, but I was not really aware of how much that meant. My summer reading seemed like a huge amount, but then again it did every year. I had to read five chapters of the textbook for AP History and "Fast Food Nation" and "The Great Gatsby" for AP English. June went by and so did most of July and summer reading did not cross my mind. However, I thought I had made more progress than in previous years, because I did actually buy my books in July. It turned out that this did not have much of a positive effect on the overall result of accomplishing my summer reading.
August came around and I had four whole weeks to do everything, I thought. However, reading textbooks on the beach sounded a lot more appealing and relaxing than it actually was. In fact, it turned out that almost anything was more appealing than reading. Pretty soon summer was over and sports started back up, not adding to my reading motivation at all. Now that it was around the week before school was starting, so I was right on schedule to start my summer reading. It probably all would have worked out too, if I had a normal amount of work. In just a few short days I had to read and remember facts from about 500 pages in total. This was just not going to happen. I stayed up late and read, but never really managed to finish everything.
Not finishing AP English showed a lot, and it especially showed for AP History. One of the first days of English class we had to write a paper on "The Great Gatsby," the book I did not read. This made the assignment much more difficult. The English summer reading test was also much harder to study for considering I did not completely know the ending of the books. History especially showed that I saved my reading for the last minute. I got a 65% on my summer reading test for History. Needless to say, I should have started all of my work earlier. My grades paid the price in the beginning of the year, and I would need to start spreading things out more if I wanted to get them back up again.

Shooting an Elephant Questions

1) How is this a story about two disparate major themes? How are these themes intertwined? (At least one paragraph)
The two major themes of "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell, are imperialism and the narrator’s weakness due to peer pressure. While these themes seem very different, they are intertwined throughout the story. The more obvious theme in this story is giving into peer pressure. The narrator was a European police officer in an anti-European town in Moulmein, in Lower Burma. While responding to a call of a loose elephant in the town he was serving in, one of the possible courses of action for the narrator to carry out was shooting the elephant. The narrator merely wanted to be protected if the elephant charged, but the narrator ended up killing the elephant, "And suddenly I realized that I should have to shoot the elephant after all: The people expected it of me and I had got to do it" (Orwell 224). The narrator gave in to one of his shortcomings, submitting to peer pressure and shooting the elephant because of the crowd of people behind him.
The other major theme tied in to the real reason behind the narrator’s submitting to peer pressure, is imperialism. The narrator killed the elephant "solely to avoid looking a fool" (227). He also killed the elephant because he did not want to look dumb in front of a huge crowd of natives, who already enjoyed watching him be humiliated. The narrator gave into peer pressure, but only because of imperialism, "A white man mustn’t be frightened in front of "natives"; and so, in general, he isn’t frightened" (225). Imperialism has driven the narrator into making sure that he does whatever it takes to remain superior above the "natives". This happened because of the imperialization of Burma, and the control England had over it. This control is also clearly transferred to the daily lives of the people affected by it.
2) What tactics does Orwell employ when revealing unflattering aspects of himself? (One paragraph max)
Through "Shooting an Elephant", Orwell is able to reveal unflattering aspects of himself. Through the narrator’s actions, the story reveals that there was an instance where Orwell gave in to peer pressure. This is revealed in the story by acknowledging that the actions were wrong. However, the actions are also explained along with the reasoning behind the actions. This way we see that the author has now realized the decisions made at the time were not the best course of action, but we are given insight into why the decisions were made.

10 Steps to Being Popular

10 Steps to Being Popular

1. Buy clothes from only expensive, name brand stores that everyone wants to shop at.
2. Always have something to do on the weekends, especially at places where a lot of people will see you.
3. Manage to get relatively good grades, but don't make it look like you study too hard.
4. Play a sport, and be the best at it.
5. Make sure you and your friends are always the center of attention, and you are the center of their attention.
6. Never be seen without your friends, who of course, share the same social status as you.
7. Be outgoing, loud, funny, and seem nice. Make people think that's who you really are all the time.
8. If every one's doing something, you've done it too, twice. Even if you have no idea what they're talking about.
9. Appear at school functions and events, usually bored, and always have somewhere to go afterward.
10. When complimented, be courteous, thankful, and return a compliment. Then proceed to turn around and tell your friends how ugly the skirt you just complimented is.

For Gay Marriage

For Gay Marriage
There comes a time to take a stand on major issues that are going on in the world around us. Right now, I am asking you to consider your position on gay marriage. Homosexuals should have the equal right of marriage. It is certainly time for the Church to review why certain traditions are kept, especially in the evolving world today. According to the Church, one of the main reasons homosexuals are not allowed to be married, is because of foundation of what marriage primarily is, would not be fulfilled in such a relationship. However, these "requirements" can be fulfilled in the situation of gay marriage. They would just simply be completed in a different way. The blessing and experience of marriage should be an opportunity that is available to everyone.
It is true that in the Church, marriage is described as the union between a man and a woman. Is the love shared between a couple defined by whether they are a man and a woman, two men, or two women? Furthermore, who is the Church to judge that love? It should be up the couple to decide whether or not they are ready for marriage. Couples counseling and advice from the Church should certainly be accepted to ensure that the couple is compatible and committed. However, if the couple demonstrates they are ready for marriage, and that they are willing to work and be committed to each other, their gender should not matter, if their love is pure.
In addition to the issue of marriage being between a man and a woman, the Church, in its establishment and up until more recent years, did not really have to deal with the issue of homosexuality. In comparison to the Church’s history, homosexuality was not as widespread, common, or accepted as it is now. It was never really an issue until brought up recently. The Church needs to review how the world is constantly changing, and adjust to the needs of people today. It is not necessary for anyone that marriage be reserved for a man and a woman. In this case, the need of change is greater than that of tradition.
Another tradition of marriage is to procreate. Same sex marriages do not allow for procreation, but they do still allow families to be built. Not being able to procreate in a same sex marriage can be compensated for through adoption. While the couple may not be physically related to the children, they can still offer a family and a loving environment, just as well as a heterosexual couple. While procreation may not be lived up to in traditional Church standards, it is more the idea behind it that is being fulfilled. Also, while one of the intentions of marriage is for procreation, many heterosexual couples do not have children. It is not a requirement of marriage to procreate. However, if children are wanted in the family, it is a goal that can be reached in a same sex marriage. This step of creation, which in this case is creating a family, can be accomplished, just in a different way. The Church should be open to these new ideas of solution.
While the Church needs to be open to more ideas, it is true that the Church is open to everyone, including homosexuals. While the Church shows tolerance and acceptance, by not offering same sex marriage, it is not offering equal opportunity to all of God’s people. A homosexual marriage is still a loving union and bond between a couple that can unify two people and bring them closer together. Many homosexuals are members of the Church and want their faith to be incorporated into their marriage. Opening up the gift of marriage to same sex couples would allow what marriage really means to be experienced by a wider range of people. Sacraments are meant to be celebrated, and the more people who are given the opportunity to fully understand their meaning, the better.
At the moment, the Church does not support gay marriage. Marriage and the love and happiness of a couple should not be restricted by the couple’s genders. The responsibilities of a marriage can be practiced by a homosexual couple. It is time for the Church to recognize the changes going on in the world and adjusts to the needs of its members. Homosexuals should have the equal right of marriage in the Church. All people should have the opportunity to experience the unifying bond of marriage.

Self-Esteem

Lauren Slater brings about the point of how damaging self-esteem can be in the reading, “The Trouble With Self-Esteem.” Slater’s main ideas in this reading are that low self-esteem is not harmful, but high self-esteem is, and that a way needs to be found to control high self-esteems. However, in reality a good amount of self-esteem is needed to be successful in life, and should be brought out to its fullest in life, not held back.
Slater’s first main point is that having high self-esteem is harmful. This is not true. Having a high self-esteem means being confident in one’s actions and abilities. It seems that Slater is getting high self-esteem confused with arrogance. Arrogance can bring others down and be destructive to ourselves and those around us. However, high self-esteem is being able to be confident and do things well to the best of our abilities. This is a good quality found in people that if practiced, brings out the same good quality in those around us, as well.
The other part of Slater’s point is that lacking self-esteem is actually a good thing. This is unrealistic. Not having any confidence or self-esteem may cause less violence and equal intelligence levels, however, this does not mean a person is better. Not having any self-esteem usually results in shyness and incontinence in one’s actions. This is not a healthy way to live. People want to be comfortable with themselves and their decisions.
Since Slater has such a problem with having self-esteem, she feels the need to find a way to control it. At least she acknowledges that it is almost impossible to find ways to bring people down lower. This idea is not healthy. Telling people they are not good enough, and putting them down, does not result in better people. People need to have confidence and respect themselves to be able to better themselves and the world around them. If no one was confident with themselves, nothing would ever be accomplished. People who have high self-esteem do not want to do well to put others down, they want to do well to bring out the best in others, and because they know they are capable of achieving their full potential.
The idea that having self-esteem is negative, is the wrong way to look at this situation. High self-esteem does not bring down others. It brings out the best in ourselves and others, as well. It is not something that needs to be controlled or restrained, it is something that needs to be practiced by all people.

It is safe to say that Laura Kipnis stands by the title of her essay, “Against Love”. All of her points in this writing adamantly put down what being in love is all about. “Against Love” generalizes and stereotypes what all relationships seem to be today. Laura Kipnis expressed that what modern love really means now is controlling others and the control they have over us. It is acknowledged that love is a part of our lives and we all search for it and need it, but it is also claimed in this article that what it means to be in love, and in a relationship today is simply about “maximizing submission and minimizing freedom”, and how well partners cater to and obey each other. The view of love here is not really love, it is mainly an arrangement of what two people do for each other.
The article claims that love takes work especially when passion runs out. This seems like a logical statement considering that relationships can be hard and need effort from both partners. However, this article also implies that mostly what happens in this day in age is that when that passion runs out, a desire to work at the relationship also runs out, resulting in its end. The article supports its claims from historical standpoints explaining that , “Passion meant suffering: the happy ending didn’t yet exist in the cultural imagination” (Kipnis 757). While every relationship reaches challenging places, it is hardly fair to say that most of them end badly, especially due to a lack of passion. If the love in a relationship is truly there, it many not be a pretty process of growth to view, but working at the relationship can eventually pay off. Many couples are willing to put in this work instead of taking the easy way out to end the relationship.
Another major theme in this article is about being open. This is true, the lines of communication must be there in a mature way and one of the main points of a relationship is being able to share your true self with another. However, the article also claims that part of being open is to be able to state your needs from your partner, and expect them to be met, while the other member of the relationship does the same. Relationships mean wanting to please the other member of the relationship, and it is great to have someone who cares enough about you to do the same. Although, this article makes a relationship out to be more of a business arrangement about giving a little to get what we want from someone else on a constant basis. A relationship is give and take. Giving yourself to someone else, and getting their love and care in return. When a person in a relationship does something for someone else, it is not for personal benefit, or to appease the other person. An act of kindness is done out of love for the other person, and loving them does not mean doing something to get what you want, it is done because it makes the other person happy. People who truly love each other do not commit to each other for money or what they get out of the relationship. It is true that love should be gained from the relationship, but a real relationship is not based off of what one person wants out of it. It is based off caring about someone else and how they make you feel and better you as a person.
The article “Against Love” by Laura Kipnis strips down love to a business arrangement of give and take that ends when times get hard. What is failed to be recognized in this article is that love can always be worked at, improved upon, and made better, and there are many strong couples that are proof of this. What also is not mentioned in the article that while part of a relationship is giving and taking, that is not the most important part. The most important part is bringing yourself to care about someone that you want to give them your best before they even ask for it, and that all you really want in return is to see them happy.

• One's traditional ethos may not fit the situation, and an alternate persona or character may have to be taken on the get one's point across.
• Arrangement can be used as a form of rhetoric to persuade the audience.
• introduction-drawing the reader in (ethos)
• narration- providing background on the subject (logos)
• confirmation- proof of argument (logos)
• refutation- addressing counterarguement (logos)
• conclusion- brings entire argument together (pathos)
• Purpose is another form of organization or arrangement
• Narration: crafting a story that supports your thesis and draws readers in
• Description: painting a picture so the readers can experience the same emotions with you
• Process Analysis: how something works, or how it is done- logos
• Exemplification: clarifies argument and solidifies idea by illustrating a point through examples and facts.
• Comparison and Contrast: reveals greater insight to information being analyzed by juxtaposing two things to highlight their similarities and differences
• Classification and Division: sort material and ideas to form categories
• Definition: establishes common ground before the argument is made

Examples in Darcy's speech

Ethos:
"I have no wish of denying that I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your sister, or that I rejoice in my success. Towards him I have been Kinder than towards myself" (170).
Here, Darcy's quote is showing ethos. He is trying to make Lizzy feel that he is a more credible source by explaining his reasons for hurting her sister, and he is trying to gain her trust so she will be more likely to believe the rest of what he has to say.

Logos:
"I have every reason in the world to think ill of you. No motive can excuse the unjust and ungenerous part you acted there. You dare not, you cannot deny that you have been the principal, if not the only means of dividing them from each other, of exposing one to the censure of the world for caprice and instability, the other to its derision for disappointed hopes, and involving them both in misery of the acutest kind" (170).
This quote from Lizzy showed logos. She broke down her thinking and explained to Mr. Darcy the reasons she disliked him. She stated her stance and supported it with facts.

Pathos:
"Who that knows what his misfortunes have been can help feeling an iterest in him?" "His misfortunes!" repeated Darcy contemptuously; "yes, his misfortunes have been great indeed" (171).
This quote from Mr. Darcy shows pathos. Mr. Darcy is trying to convince Lizzy of why she should not be mad at him for breaking up her sister and fiance. Mr. Darcy is explaining how badly her sister's fiance would have ended up and that he felt bad for him. He was trying to make Lizzy feel bad about it too, so she would see his argument from his point of view.

Ethos, Logos, and Pathos Examples

Ethos: A basketball coach with years of experience playing the sport would show ethos while speaking to their team about a new drill.

Logos: The novel, Fast Food Nation shows logos because while explaining how the fast food industry came about, it presents ideas supported by facts that exposes the many flaws in the industry.

Pathos: Back to school supplies commercials can make people feel depressed and sad about going back to school in the summertime, appealing to pathos.