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Week 4 homework

A reflective response to chapters 9-11. A few weeks have passed since Mrs Dubose died and Jem has had some time to think about the events of the last few months. In role as Jem, write a response in which you reflect on these events and what they mean.

Jem: I hate her so much. She was stubborn, and inconsiderate, and I actually really enjoyed reading to her, even though she never listened to what I was saying. I sort of liked her near the end, but I would never want anybody else to know. 
It's been pretty hectic these last few months. I've been very moody lately, and I'm glad Atticus and Calprica were able to keep Scout out of my hair. I just find her so annoying. I do feel sorry though, she is such a nice girl.
Back to Mrs Dubose, she was sweet, and she grows on you. I believe the main reason why I seemed so mean to her was because Scout was. It was just like peer pressure.
I know Mrs Dubose really liked me, why else would she give me that box? The flower was there to remind me that when things get tough, don't take it out on someone, or something. Calm down. Take time out to become one with nature, get a better view of life from a better perspective.
I know I have done some odd things these past few months, and some I'm not that happy about, but its my life, and I have the power to let it grow into something beautiful, or watch it wither and die.

Week 3 homework

Events in the story which indicate Boo has come out

•   The little odd-and-ends left in the secret compartment in the tree

•   When Scout is in the tyre and it hits the front door - she hears laughing

•   Hey attempt to give a note to Boo Radley by attaching it to a fishing line and tapping it onto the window

•   When Jem leaves his trousers at the Radley house and when he went back to get them were folded and stitched

•   When Boo gives Scout the blanket after the fire

Atticus's reflection

I cannot fail to understand why the children did not see Boo Radley. I remember looking over my should one minute, and the next they had the blanket. 

I used to be friends with the Radley's, until they became hermits. I remember Boo, he was a good kid, just hanged out with the wrong crowd. I just hope, for the sake of my children, they do not end up like poor Boo. Alone, desperate, wanting a better life. 
The children were not paying attention to what was going on near them, only what was more interesting. Scout was very tired when I got her up and sat her next to the Radleys. Jem wasn't as tired, but still wasn't able to pay attention or comprehend what was happening. With their thoughts preoccupied as to what Miss Maudie would say about her house being burnt to the ground, they failed to notice Boo come out and present them with a blanket. 
At first, I didn't believe the children that they hadn't moved, but when I thought about it, Boo has taken a liking to Scout and Jem. The children are now tucked away, safely, in their beds. Probably dreaming about Boo and the house. 

Week 8 homework after discussion in class

The title, The Crucible, is very relevant to the play. Crucible, is a pot which is heated to a very high temperature, links in with a sever test of political power. The people of Salem were all placed in a "pot" and were heated because they turned on each other. Problems of different individuals came to light and many people were convicted of witchcraft. the political side of the community was put through the test of reverting the blame and the beliefs of the people and what they believe is right. The situation in which the community of Salem wad put through is very similar to a pot which is heated to a very high temperature to mesh different metals and can be seen through reverting the blame.

The Crucible - Week 8 Homework

Look up the meaning of the word which constitutes the title of the play, "crucible", and give a dictionary definition. How appropriate do you consider the title to be? Write a paragraph in answer, referring to one of the play's themes to justify your response. Post on your blog before 8.20 Tuesday.

Definition:

1) A heat-resistant container used to melt ores, metals, and other materials.

2) A place, time or situation characterized by the confluence of powerful intellectual, social, economic or political forces

3) Sever Test

I consider the title of the play to be very relevant to the second and third definition. The members of the Salem community were strict in their beliefs. Political power (the church) has a large influence over the lives of all members of the community. The entire community was put through a “sever test” through the trials. The political side of the community was put to the test. The beliefs of the people and what they believed was right were placed at opposite ends of the scale. A situation characterized by powerful political forces and sever test are relevant to the play and the title “The Crucible” is fitting.

Week 6 - HW2

Write a paragraph explaining the connection between the McCarthy era and the play. Be concise and prioritise your ideas. Think and plan before you write! Post to your blog before Monday's lesson.

There is a large and strong connection between the McCarthy era and The Crucible, as both accusing people who were innocent and were the result of hysteria. Miller wrote the play during 1954, and was criticized by some who claimed there were never any real witches, to which he responded, “this play is not history…” He experienced, first-hand, the McCarthy era, as he was accused of a communist-sympathizer. Miller’s simple response to this was to point out that anybody denying the existence of witches, in 1692, would have been executed. Many people in the village of Salem would hound each other until the other admitted they were a witch or died “guilty”. McCarthy also hounded the supposed Communists until they admitted, even if they weren’t. Miller has stated, “If I hadn’t written The Crucible that period would be unregistered in our literature…” Even though there is a strong connection, McCarthy and his followers still believed there were communists in the Government after the era.

Week 6

Is John Proctor a hero or not? We have debated this in class. Now choose the most effective point in the argument for or against and write a paragraph on this point with a really effective topic sentence and evidence from the play in support. Include at least one correctly punctuated quotation. Post to your blog for tomorrow’s lesson.

John Proctor is a hero because he stood up in what he believed in and nobody was able to change his mind. After Proctor was condemned to hang, he and Elizabeth had some time to talk about some things. He asked her what he should do, to which she replied, “…it comes to naught that I should forgive you, if you’ll not forgive yourself. It is not my soul John, if is yours” (pg 119). Elizabeth is implying John must start to make his own decisions in his life. She will not care what he does because it is not her life at stake, but she wants John to stand up to what he believes in. Proctor goes through the confession process, and then realizes he does not want to live his life on a lie. He takes back his confession, tearing it up, and cursing all those who kill in the Lord’s name. He is taken to he gallows. Hale tries to convince John and Elizabeth to think about what they have both condemned John to do, but all she can say is, “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him” (pg 126). Proctor is an unlikely hero who trusts in his heart to make the right choices deemed by himself.