Bravery

During the discussion in class today, it was mentioned that Mary Warren is brave for protecting herself from John Proctor. I believe that this was very significant. The fact that she did this knowing that she could get punished is inspiring. Women didn't have much authority back then and for Mary to stand up for herself proves that she believes that women should have equal authority with men as well. Do you think she is going to tell Abigail's secret?

Abigail

It continues to amaze me how Abigail can lie to the court and get so many people killed without feeling guilt. Abigail is a selfish person. how can she be selfish when all the people in their community are being hung.

A Woman's Dignity!

"terrified, but coming erect, striving for her authority: I'll not stand whipping any more!"

Thinking about our newly found character, Mary Warren, what are your initial thoughts on who she is? Also, think about woman during that time. What's so significant about her?

Act 2

In Act 2 we have a lot going on. For instances Elizabeth, John Procter's wife, has been charged of being a witch. However, all evidence points to Abigail, she wants to blight Elizabeth's life so she can take her place. Do you believe Abigail will be caught or do you think she will be okay because of her place in this society, how she is the niece of Parris??

Independent Book

Brianda Curiel:
My Independent book essay has to do with sacrifice in humanity. What are some sacrifices you guys can think of when it comes to humanity? Or what do we sacrifice for humanity?

Independent Book

Brianda Curiel:
My Independent book essay has to do with sacrifice in humanity. What are some sacrifices you guys can think of when it comes to humanity? Or what do we sacrifice for humanity?

A Witch Hunt

How is today's "Birther Movement" concerning our U.S. President like McCarthyism? The Salem Witch Trials? Are there any other connections you can make to our current society?

Perfume

."This perfume was not like any perfume known before. It was not a scent that made things smell better, not some sachet, some toiletry. It was something completely new, capable of creating a whole world, rich world, and in an instant you forgot all the loathsomeness around you and felt so rich, so at ease, so free, so fine. . ." (Suskind, 2006, p.87).

     This is a quote from my independent reading book, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind. I wanted to share this quote because I enjoy reading the way Suskind describes scents. Suskind describes the scents of the perfumes as if they were feeling which I really like because I have never read anything as unique as this.

What is unique about your book? What do you like or dislike about it? A quote/ passage that really stood out to you?

Elisa's Broken Spirit

"Her face was turned away from him. ' It will be enough if we can have wine. It will be plenty.' She turned up her coat collar so he could not see that she was crying weakly-like an old woman" ( Steinbeck, 2000, p. 10).

Elisa spirit is shattered by the man's actions. Why do you think she reacts this way? Why do you think the man's actions hurt her so much? If you were in Elisa situation, how would you feel about the man's actions?

Final Thoughts of The Scarlet Letter

Now that we have completed reading the Scarlet letter, what are your final thoughts? Do you believe that there should have been a different ending? Why do you think Chillingworth gave his wealth to Pearl in the end?

Pearl Refuses Change

" 'Children will not abide any, the slightest, change in the accustomed aspects of things that are daily before their eyes. Pearl misses something which she has always seen me wear.' " (Hawthorne, 2005, p.189). 

Just like Pearl, we have all encountered a change that we do not accept. We fear change and are accustomed to being familiar with how things are now. Have you ever experienced a change that you refused to accept or were you ever scared of things not being the way you wanted them to be? Did you feel like that change was a threat?

What are you feelings towards the way that Pearl reacted to Hester's missing scarlet letter? Do you think she exaggerated? Or was she just being honest?

The Supreme Power of Nature

" Such was the sympathy of Nature- that wild, heathen Nature of the forest, never subjugated by human law, nor illuminated by higher truth....Love whether newly born, or aroused from a deathlike slumber, must always create a sunshine, filling the heart full of radiance, that overflows upon the outward world..... Had the forest still kept its gloom, it would have been bright in Hester's eyes, and bright in Arthur Dimmesdale" ( Hawthorne, 2005, p. 168).

What are your thoughts on Nature and how Humans beings perceive it? Do you think Nature is truly free from the hold of all Human laws?  Does Nature truly show colors of the spirit? Do you think that Nature could alter a persons mood? Do you think Hester and Dimmesdale's problems only truly matter to them and their community, not the World/Nature as a whole? Are our individual problems bigger than Nature? Do they truly affect the World, or our World?

Pearl and Dimmesdale

"I see the child," observed the minister. "Yonder she is, standing in a streak of sunshine, a good way off, on the other side of the brook. So thou thinkest the child will love me?" (Hawthorne, 2005, pg. 140).

What reaction do you all think that Pearl will have? Will she accept or reject him?

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