The Complaints Against King George III

Ten complaints restated in my own words that I feel are important are...

1. King George III doesn't obey the very laws he put into place.

2. The King is very manipulative and doesn't allow the Governors to pass laws that are essential.

3. The King bereaves his people from being represented in the Legislature. Only specific people are granted this privilege, specifically those who obtain power. 

4. King George III has attempted to make it so that the colonies don't have many people; he has tried to make it so that the colonies can't gain anymore people population wise. 

5. He has made it so that the judges are, in a sense, "wrapped around his finger" as their jobs and wages depend on it. 

6. The military relies on what the king says and not what the people say. 

7.  He has gone against the colonies and declared that he will no longer protect them. 

8. King George III used their(the colonists) resources, scavenged their property, and infringed on the lives of their people. 

9. Those seized by the British out on Sea were forced to then fight for the British. 

10. The King inspired Native Americans to go against the colonists.

Why did you choose these complaints? How are they still relevant in today's society?

       I chose the complaints above because they not only show just how terrible King George III was, but they also show some of the reasons why colonists decided to make America independent. For example, the King would criticize those who didn't obey the laws and then would turn around and disobey them himself, that's like complaining about how bad gossiping is and then running to your best friend to update them on the latest Kardashian scandal. The King also bent the rules of government so that they would work to his benefit. Many officials and even the military were controlled by the King and the people had no say on what was being done. The King then made it so that, well, tried to make it so that the colonists couldn't gain anymore people. 

        These are still relevant today for a few reasons. First, everyone is hypocritical at some point. Whether it's a government official or a couch potato claiming their partner is lazy, everyone does it. Second, manipulation is still very prevalent. Many people use others to get what they want and don't really seem to care about how it affects everyone else. Third, aware or unaware, many people try make people pick sides. A really good example of this is the 2016 presidential elections. The candidates will dig up anything they can find just to make the other person seem bad and get people on their side.

How did this establish a "sense of identity" for the thirteen colonies?

        A "sense of identity" was established for the colonies because they were finally independent. The King no longer dictated everything that happened and America could make it's own laws and didn't have to obey the British anymore. With that said, this helped the nation figure out just what they were and exactly what the wanted. It is really hard to find yourself when you have someone else controlling you and telling you exactly how to act. Of course it wouldn't be easy, but this was a huge step that made America what it is today.

The Crucible

The Crucible

1. RI.11-12.3, 1 – Explain how the opening scene is a catalyst for at least three major events in the play. Be sure to provide evidence from the text to support the events.

 The opening scene of the Crucible is a catalyst for 3 major events being Abigail's conflict with Minister Parris,  accusations of witchcraft, and conflict with the Proctors. Minister Parris, the father of Betty Parris, was also the uncle of Abigail. Parris had a big reputation as Minister and after all of the trouble Abigail caused with her threats and lies, the town was beginning to view Parris differently. In Act 1 of the play, Abigail and Parris were arguing. The play read, "'Abigail: ... It were only sport, uncle!' Parris: 'You call this sport- she cannot wake!'" This shows the tension between Parris and his niece and this made the town question Parris as he didn't seem capable of controlling his own family let alone being head of the church. 

After Abigail realized she would be convicted of witchcraft herself (because she and some of the other girls were dancing naked and around a pot so boys would like them), she took matters into her own hands and convinced the other girls to lie and make accusations. "' Betty: I saw Goody Howe with the Devil! I saw Goody Barrow with the Devil!' Parris: 'she speaks! she speaks!' chaos. The girls were screaming names." With this, not only was Tituba accused of witchcraft, but a ton of other girls all over Salem were as well including Sarah Good and Goody Osburn. Many innocent girls lost their lives in this process. 

Abigail and John Proctor had an affair(in the woods Abigail tried to cast a spell to kill John's wife) and with this affair came a lot of conflict. It can be inferred in the text that Proctor did indeed take the virginity of Abigail Williams. Abigail was convinced she loved him and then John called her a child even though he never said such things during the affair (*sigh*). "' I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart! I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenated men! And now you bid me tear light out of my eyes? I will not, I cannot! You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet!" (Act 1) This quote not only clues the audience of the affair, but it foreshadows the actions of John Proctor as it speaks of the relationship in past tense and shows readers he is trying to end the affair. 

2. RI.11-12.6, 1 – Explain how the author has used rhetoric in the play to develop his clear argument appeals - logos, pathos, ethos; rhetorical devices. Please note the text evidence and HOW the author used this evidence to develop rhetoric for his argument in the play.

Arthur Miller used rhetoric all throughout the play. When he did, it mostly involved John Proctor. An example of logos used was in Act 1 when Proctor said, " You cannot command Mr. Parris. We vote by name in this society, not by acreage." After Putnam tried to throw around the title of land, Proctor simply reminded him that is not the way things work around Salem. He also said, "There are many others who stay away from the church these days because (he) hardly mentions God anymore." After Putnam mentioned Proctor's absence in church Proctor replied with that.

 This is actually an appeal to both Pathos and Logos because not only did John use the logic of how church has changed, but he is also exposing the corruption of something that was once meant to worship God but has changed drastically. Miller also used rhetorical devices such as imagery and allusions in scenes such as the ending scene where it was very vivid for us to imagine people such as Proctor getting ready to be hanged and reciting bible verses. Proctor especially was referring to biblical allusions when he put his hands up and looked how Jesus did being pinned to the cross.

3. RI.11-12.2, 1 – What truth is the author attempting to reveal with his play? Cite evidence from the text to support your analysis.

Miller is trying to reveal the corruption that came with mass hysteria. During this period, McCarthyism was prevalent and heavily influenced the play. Sure, the Salem Witch Trials did have plenty of influence as well(obviously), however, the communist accusations or "Red Scare" also came with hysteria. Even Arthur Miller himself was accused. In the play at the end of Act 1 the text read, "chaos. The girls were screaming names." It never occurred to anyone really that these girls were lying. In fact, the people just hopped on the band wagon until it came to bite them in the butt and that was when they decided to speak up. With this mass hysteria, the innocent were hanged and it wasn't until the girls confessed their lies that people really believed the accused were innocent. These trials along with McCarthyism essentially corrupted the country.

4. RI/RL.11-12.2 Thematic Unit Connection, consider these lines from the text: PROCTOR, with a cry of his whole soul: Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!

How does Proctor’s sense of self impact him personally, and in turn, his family and the community of Salem?

One major theme in The Crucible was reputation. In this quote, it is very obvious that Proctor is very worried about how the community sees him. After his affair with Abigail, he began to feel very guilty and really wanted to make things right with his wife and honestly to just feel better about himself. One other major theme in the Crucible was intolerance. In Salem, the town was run under Puritan theocracy. If you went against the church or were different in any way, you would be sent to court and/or hanged with NO exceptions. It is clear with this quote that Proctor is scared of people finding out what he has done (as he should be... yikes).  Overall, Proctor's sense of self not only changes how he views himself, but it changes how the community and even his family see him because it was entirely wrong for him to be different or esepcially commit adultery how he did.