Sunflower County Freedom Project

Thoughts on "The Crucible" from 3rd and 4th Years

The Saturday School reading blog is back!
We're going to keep you more informed about what we're reading and discussing; feel free to join in. If you have thoughts, questions, or comments about our books and selections, share it with us here.

Recently, the third- and fourth-year classes finished reading Arthur Miller's The Crucible. While reading this classic play about the Salem With Trials (click here to learn more) several issues came up, and students saw how, in many ways, they could relate today to this very old story.

At the end of the unit, each student could choose one of four prompts, and here are some of their responses:

Could events like those in the play (false accusations, mass hysteria, untrue testimony, and executions) happen in these days and times? Why or why not?

Donald Moore (3rd year):
"Things like this can happen, especially in our day and time. When you are accused of being a terrorist, that is like being called a witch. The CIA and other undercover agents can do these types of things. If you are involved or work with Al Qaeda, they can bring you in and torture you; you might not have anything to do with the organization, but it's the fact that you are accused of being a part of something so dangerous. Kind of like in the book - you have no rights when the CIA takes you in; they can do whatever they want. Just like they were afraid of witches, we are that much afraid of terrorists coming and attacking again."

Shamira Weeks (3rd year):
"Yes, I think that this can definitely happen these days. It's as if every day, people are falsely accused and punished for no reason. For example, the man on the news a few months ago was accused of killing a man in his back yard. He was accused by his sister-in-law, and they ended up finding out that he was innocent. And that can definitely relate to the book, because there are hateful people in this world who have nothing better to do but to accuse others - and when they do that, innocent people end up being punished. Many people may be able to do that by just going to the right people and trying to convince them that the others are wrong. So yes, this can definitely happen these days."

Coming up next for our 3rd and 4th years: A Tale of Two Cities! Are they up to the Dickens?

The House on Mango Street

The House on Mango Street

  Lately, the first and second year students have been reading The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. Here are some comments from some of the readers: Shamira Weeks: I think that The House on Mango Street is a fascinating book because it relates to a lot of girls now days. For example, when the main character Esperanza is explaining how she is ready to grow up and become more mature that is how most girls of today are.

Donald Moore: I think that The House on Mango Street is an exciting book. I think it is exciting because to me the main character Esperanza relates to a lot of situations in my life.

 

Fred Hannah: The House on Mango Street is a fantastic book not only because of the things she goes through but because of how it is sometimes difficult to understand. Her method of writing this book is hard to understand but after a while you get along to it. That is why The House On Mango Street is a fantastic book to read.