I have been considering omitting The Crucible from our unit about the "The Dark Side of Our Souls" unit, but am still convinced that it helps best reinforce many literary devices as well as reading/ interpretation skills.
Do you believe that this play should be deleted from my future classes' curricula? What about the play has inspired your decision?
In this unit I feel that The Crucible altho long and complex is the only story that truly admits the whole concept of what the unit is trying to show. The Crucible shows the evil of me and the darkness that can engulf us all with only a few white lies. The only bad thing about this story is the fact that it is so deep many of the children in the class may not care enough to really try to understand it and it may just be to hard of a story for some people. But on the other hand The Crucible also leads into the next unit by the way it shows the goodness in John at the end of the story and the fact that it ends in do what is right. so In all I feel that Mrs. Herdman should keep this story in the curricula to really show the dark side of the soul.
ReplyDeleteI think the Crucible is a useful play for teaching both the dark side of a person, and for showing that a person can have a dark side, yet still be likable, and not completely evil. The bad side is, as a play, it can be a bit tedious to get through, and it tends to scare kids when they see t.
ReplyDeleteI Don’t believe this play should be deleted from future classes. This play shows how each individual really is when given the opportunity to become as evil and fend for themselves. People often undermine others emotions and don’t care as long as they can be saved from such situations as life or death. This play also shows how you cannot believe in what other individuals say or follow certain trends, don’t follow a crowd or an individual this could lead an individual into a path to destruction. That is why I believe this play should not be deleted from future classes. What has inspired me from the play is, John. He did not go with what other people in the village were saying of witches within his village, Instead, he went with what he knew was right, his own view of point.
ReplyDeleteI agree with DWolf and ARoss because this story can tell many things about the darkness of others. But also shows how people can be true to them self. Lastly it shows how some people can be so ridiculously dumb and believe lies. But in my opinion you should keep the story, it shows different sides of people.
ReplyDeleteARoss and DWolf, you have me researching to see if there is a revised format such as one in the form of a story/ novel? Do you have any suggestions as to how to better teach it? Seriously, between reading and viewing it- I am constantly questioning the way I teach/ present it since it is very complex and so many tuned out as soon as they realize its time period is the supposed 1690's. At least that's how I remember feeling when I first read it.
ReplyDeleteDFontanez.. It makes me wonder every time I watch my students view the ending: "Are they tearing up because John is to die or because of how proud they are of his choosing to die."
ReplyDeleteI do think this play should stay. This play shows how different people used to be and really how stupid they were. The Crucible also did have many moral lessons that you can still apply to today. For example the biggest one was that would you rather die for the truth or live a lie. John believed that it was better for him to tell the truth that he was not a witch even though he knew he would die for it. In my opinion I would of done the same thing I wouldnt be able to live with myself knowing I was a liar.
ReplyDelete@D.fontanez I totally agree with you when you said that it shows how these people werent indiviuals and only followed what everyone else saw as correct. I think that us as a society have gotten back to that just as it was in the village. If it means surviving people will do anything even if its not right.
ReplyDelete@klavelle- I agree with your statement; this play should stay because it shows how people used to be compared to current days. But that's not the main point for this unit of 'The dark side'. The main reason I think The Crucible should stay in this unit is because, it shows you're opinion on everyday problems, drama and how you view the world.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the play should stay because it shows her how different people were many years ago, and it also teaches you a bunch of lessons. This play really does show 'The Dark Side' of human beings. Almost everyone has a dark side and this play proves it.
ReplyDelete@KLavelle.. YOu are on point with that.. Could you give an example as to a situation in which someone would "do anything even if it's not right" to survive? ANYONE???
ReplyDelete@ANegri.. What lessons does it teach us? If ou ladies want to redeem yourselves for more points, I suggest that you respond with a simple statement / lesson. I want to keep my teaching in the perspective of a junior!!
ReplyDeleteI think that you should keep this play, although it is about the past and what they did. It shows what people back then did to save themself which is their dark side. I do believe that the play was some what confusing at first and sort of boring, but the movie and seeing everything cleared up everything. Maybe do the discussion about the messages in the play, do some reading(a bit less than what we did because we went on for days) and the movie would sum everything up
ReplyDeleteTo herdman, the students may tear up not just because John was to die but also the way and why he was going to die. We feel as if he gave up his life in a way that should not have to happened the situation could have been avoided by simple truth from the town girls. He at the end pays the price for their lies and decides to set himself free from all of it. Therefore, the students have gotten teary eyed due to the bravery of his actions and felt empathy.
ReplyDeleteThe Crucible should remain in this unit. This play is a perfect example of the inner darkness everyone has. This play also brings many questions to mind. The handout we did in class where all of the students went under the line that had their answer was a good activity. Hearing everyone's opinions on things really changes the way you interpret the question.
ReplyDelete@klavelle I completely agree with what you say about the crucible having many moral lessons. When John Proctor refuses to sign his name to the paper confessing he is a witch is an example of this. He refuses to sign the paper because it will ruin his last name. People will forever remember the last name Proctor as the last name of a witch. I learned that it is important to leave a good impression on your name for your relatives, future children, or even your parents.
ReplyDeleteWow Fontanez. Brilliantly stated! Impressive and intellectual!
ReplyDeleteRedemption.
ReplyDeleteNo I do not feel The Crucible should not be removed from future use of the story in class. It gets into the children's minds and makes them think. Is that not why we are in school to advance our knowledge and explore the minds of other cultures and other sides of life. The Crucible made the student actually read the story for it to get into their minds and actually made them want to read on. Stories like The Crucible are stories that all schools should have there students read. To expand the minds of the children and hope the spark ideas and pass them down as a result of reading a dark, secret, mysterious book that fills your mind with ideas and makes them crave to read and learn more.
ReplyDelete@Alabert you are correct that in class activity really helped me also . It got me wondering and made me want to know more and learn more. I feel they should keep the story and read many more like it!
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ReplyDelete@DSoto, I am not convinced. What specifically, made the "students actually want to read on" or what ideas "sparked"?
ReplyDeleteWhat about that discussion did you appreciate DSoto?
In my opinnion, I do feel that the Crucible should not be removed from the class unit "the dark side". I do agree with @D.fontanez about the emotion people got when John died. But we all know he died with his head up high rather then die with a lie. Maybe it doesnt mean alot to some people, but imagine the impact it gave on people's hearts. Realizing the trouble makers from the beginning can help you picture just the punishment you will recieve. Just like John did, but it was a little to late.
ReplyDelete@herdman & @A.Negri. The lession in the crucible pretty much says to me is " get even or become eaten". Just like abigal did in the story, she became even when john didnt want her back by hurting his wife through trial and guilt ate her up inside to the point she ran away forever from all the problems she caused.
ReplyDeleteGuilt is the last resort of a weapon for humans in that it is the only sure thing that can punish those who are evil. When no one else can, Guilt will do so for us.
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