Justice and Judgement

1. Justice and Judgement J. Phay / American Lit / 2013 Exploring Themes in The Crucible

2. Thesis The Crucible encourages readers to question their assumptions about judging others and thereby reveals how the act of passing judgement is really a means of exercising power. J. Phay / American Lit / 2013

3. Judgement Anxiety • Features one of the most famous trials in American history • Written in response to a trial • Motif J. Phay / American Lit / 2013

4. Judgement Quotes J. Phay / American Lit / 2013

5. The Meanings of “Judgement” Question In what ways is the word “judgement” used in these quotes? • Trial – legal • Judging others – moral • The Last Judgement – religious J. Phay / American Lit / 2013

6. Questions Asked • Who has the right to judge? • Who decides what’s evidence, what’s admissible in court? • When does the judgement process begin? • Why is such a decision reached? • I.e. what motives affect a decision? • How should we judge? J. Phay / American Lit / 2013

7. Task • In groups of four, formulate a thesis statement explaining what message you think Miller is conveying about justice and judgement. • Then, select three examples to support each point you plan to make. J. Phay / American Lit / 2013

8. Revision: Thesis Statement • Introduction • Lays out main ideas/arguments • A “road map” E.g. This essay argues that The Crucible reveals a disjunction between morality and justice, and contains a rather didactic warning against judging others. J. Phay / American Lit / 2013

9. Thesis Statement Guidelines • Concise • Not too long • Scope isn’t too large E.g. DON’T craft something like: “This essay argues that American literature is concerned with issues of justice.” • Comprehensive • Mentions all the main points • Contestable • Signpost • E.g. “This essay argues that…” J. Phay / American Lit / 2013

10. Contestable • I.e. can someone argue with/add to your argument? Non-debatable theses: Pollution is bad for the environment. This essay focuses on Arthur Miller’s use of characterisation. Debatable theses: America’s anti-pollution effort should focus on privately owned cars. This essay examines Arthur Miller’s use of language and argues that The Crucible suggests that power is reified through contests over interpretation. J. Phay / American Lit / 2013

11. Judgement in American Literature • “A Jury of her Peers” – Susan Glaspell http://www.learner.org/interactives/literature/story/fulltext.html J. Phay / American Lit / 2013

12. Sources http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/01/ J. Phay / American Lit / 2013