Page turners discussion

What are the drawbacks of this text? In what ways might this text be problematic related to equity, representation, gender, race, power, and so on? Be specific and refer to the text in your response.

This text might be problematic due to topics related to equality, representation, gender, race, and power because it refrences the diferences of being white band black in america. In the text it states, "one can only pity them all, just as we shall be pitied someday. It is still impossible for man to organize his social life without repressions, and the balance has yet to be struck between order and freedom". Tensions between people due to jelousy and some having more power and freedom over the other.

The text is problematic due to topics of gender because of the accusation of some women being witches. Pathos is used when Reverend Parris is questioning Abigail about what she was doing in the forest, she said "I would never hurt Betty. I love her dearly." She uses the emotion of love to try and persuade Parris that she didn't hurt Betty and that she wasn't using witchcraft.

The text Crucible can come across as controversial because it supports a pedophile. Proctor had an affair with Abigail who is a teen. Instead of the situation being addressed it gets pushed under the rug like there's nothing wrong with it. It was an involved relationship because Proctor says "Abby, I may still think of you from time to time". He has a nickname for her and does not deny what had happened.

This text can be controversial based on power and gender inequality. In the court system at this time religion was a huge factor in there decision making which is a problem for the men in power. It causes unfairly motivated actions. And soon dozens of women were being charged and accused of being witches which is unfair treatment of women in society. The book says “and they’ll be tried, and the court have power to hang them too, she says”. This shows a problem with power and gender with the judges because they are killing innocent women based off of these absurd accusations, and are being persuaded by religion. They also have the power to murder the women with no real proof of a crime being committed which is an abuse of power.

The text Crucible can be seen as problematic in readers eyes because of the gender inequality and judgement throughout the text. Quotes like "You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death" can be seen throughout the text. Through the eyes of the men in the text women do not deserve to be equal and are actually seen as witches just for being a women.

Jon wrote: "The text is problematic due to topics of gender because of the accusation of some women being witches. Pathos is used when Reverend Parris is questioning Abigail about what she was doing in the for..."
I agree, with this statement. However, I believe that another major reason for the accusations was the society's religion. In the Crucible, their government was intertwined with religion. So, it makes sense that if someone was a nonbeliever or an outsider, they would be accused of conducting witchcraft to scare others and keep the church as the dominant power. For example, Tituba was manipulated by Reverend Hale into naming other women as witches.

I agree this text can be very problematic based on gender and race inequality. Its a common fact that the people accused in the Salem Witch trials were all woman. Woman were inferior to men at the time therefore they were an easier target. After Abigail confesses she saw Tituba conjuring spirits, Reverend Hale confronts her : "You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to death, Tituba!" (Miller 44). Hales comment alone proves both the gender and race inequality at the time, for Tituba was a black female slave. I feel the witch trials almost in a way gave woman a sense of power because they were given the power to condemn others of witchcraft, giving them a purpose in society.

Gabriella wrote: "This text can be controversial based on power and gender inequality. In the court system at this time religion was a huge factor in there decision making which is a problem for the men in power. It..."
I agree with this and I also feel that the text is showing how the men doing this were using religion as a way to justify their maltreatment of women during this time. They used religion as an excuse for their actions when really they just wanted to control women and maintain power.

Jessica wrote: "I agree this text can be very problematic based on gender and race inequality. Its a common fact that the people accused in the Salem Witch trials were all woman. Woman were inferior to men at the ..."
You made some valid points but I don't agree that the trails gave the women power. Most of the women were too scared to confess and wouldn't give each other up so how are they gaining power if they were holding back the whole time? Reverend Hale even says "The jails are packed- our greatest judges sit in Salem now- and hangin' promised." The women had no power because they weren't using their voice which led them to create the overflow in the jails. They were to helpless and afraid to gain power for themselves.

Jon wrote: "The text is problematic due to topics of gender because of the accusation of some women being witches. Pathos is used when Reverend Parris is questioning Abigail about what she was doing in the for..."
I think that this quote really proves the injustice for women that is going on during this time period. This is because certain people did not accuse people of being witches just because of their gender. But most others did. Women were getting accused all the time only because of their gender. And throughout the book yo can see the unfairness towards these women grow, such as when Proctor tried to convince Elizabeth to plea guilty to try to save her life. Elizabeth was not guilty and it is not fair she would of had to plea guilty and accept the charges, to avoid being killed.Therefore this quote is a super strong example of gender inequality, and injustice.

Kailee wrote: "The text Crucible can come across as controversial because it supports a pedophile. Proctor had an affair with Abigail who is a teen. Instead of the situation being addressed it gets pushed under t..."
I really agree with this statement because it shocked me how no one addressed this situation. He is having a relationship with a minor, and that is wrong in so many ways, but no one thinks of it as a big deal. On page 21 Abby says, "Gah! I'd almost forgot how strong you are, John Proctor!" This was clearly Abbys' way of flirting and showing the reader about the affair. This situation should of been addressed much more seriously throughout the book because it shows Proctor is a pedophile.

Lili wrote: "Jon wrote: "The text is problematic due to topics of gender because of the accusation of some women being witches. Pathos is used when Reverend Parris is questioning Abigail about what she was doin..."
I agree that not only was gender a major cause of the accusations, but religion as well. Some readers fail to realize that religion is actually one of the main reasons for the amount of accusations. It makes sense since the society at the time was basically a theocracy and the government was driven by religion, so anyone with opposing beliefs against the main religion were deemed guilty of witchcraft. We see religion is dominant in the society because the people of Salem use religion to justify their actions.For example they took land from the Natives at the very beginning of the book and said the forest was "the devils last preserve" (Miller 5). Its clear that religion instilled fear within society giving the government all the power.

Jessica wrote: "Lili wrote: "Jon wrote: "The text is problematic due to topics of gender because of the accusation of some women being witches. Pathos is used when Reverend Parris is questioning Abigail about what..."
Exactly, since the government was a theocracy, they needed the citizens to attend church. Throughout the whole book, the church members manipulated others into naming witches and went along with the accusations. Like you said, they did this in order to install fear in society and have power over the people in Salem.

As we know, the Crucible is a stereotypical text where women are portrayed as delicate and victimized. For example, when John Proctor yells at Mary Warren, his female slave, “How do you go to Salem when I forbid it? …I’ll whip you if you dare leave this house again.” This demonstrates a lack of control women had over their lives in this time period. However, what makes this text controversial in regards to gender roles is the character, Abigail Williams. She is able to successfully manipulate many of the characters, especially men, because of her beauty and sexuality that prevents them from seeing all of her lies and deceit. On one occasion, she says "give me a word, John. A soft word" to Proctor, to try and convince him she did nothing wrong and seduce him. At other times she will forward the blame onto others, like when she said "She sends her spirit on me in church; she makes me laugh at prayer!". She passes the burden and the negative attention on to Tituba and says she practices witchcraft. Even though women are displayed as inferior, characters like Abigail, are able to have power over men

Jon wrote: "The text is problematic due to topics of gender because of the accusation of some women being witches. Pathos is used when Reverend Parris is questioning Abigail about what she was doing in the for..."

i agree with this because it shows the stereotype against women because it shows how the men question the women for every move they make. They wont be doing this to the men. Another quote that strengthens the idea of problems due to gender is when Putnam takes advantage of Tituba by telling her that he is going to hang her so that she takes fear against him because she is accused of being compacted with the devil. (page 44).