SHAWN:
The Crucible was clearly written as a critique of people
who use religion to judge others unfairly. The witch hunts
are out of control, and those who are accusing others are
unstoppable.
TAVIA:
I think you can certainly read it that way, but look also at
the time and place the book was written. 1950s America.
McCarthyism. People were hunted out of government and
out of powerful positions because they had supposed ties
with communism. There was really no way to defend
yourself against the charges. I think that was the real
subject of his critique.
ULISES:
And don't you think the book holds up over time? People
still judge people based on religion, even in America, where
we have this idea that we are democratic and open-
minded. People who come from minority religious
traditions may not necessarily be persecuted by the
government, but they are definitely judged. Don't you
agree?
VIV:
It depends on what you mean. Do you think there is
something in the American character that hasn't changed
over time that leads us to judge others based on religion?
Do you think Miller is trying to judge us as a people for
that?
Which student is most clearly using evidence to support his or her opinion in
this discussion?
