Guilty as Charged!…Case Closed.

O Christian Martyr Who for Truth could die When all about thee Owned the hideous lie! The world, redeemed from superstition’s sway, Is breathing freer for thy sake today. –Words written by John Greenleaf Whittier and inscribed on a monument marking the grave of Rebecca Nurse, one of the condemned “witches” of Salem.

On this day, July 22, 1692, Puritan Judge John Hathorne, has issued a warrant for several new arrests. Essex Country Marshall, George Herick, has been ordered to apprehend these citizens for whom the court has reason to believe are engaging in witchcraft and wizardry.

Since June of this year, eleven people have been taken to Gallows Hills for hanging. Many others are currently suffering in prison awaiting their fates. Whether witch or wizard, there is suspicion of guilt.

Review the very fascinating site, The Salem Witch Trials – 1692. …Fast forward to September 1, 2009. Your alarm has just sounded, and you realize that that your Blackberry is alerting you of a message. When your eyes begin to focus on the screen, you see a text from District Attorney Danny Porter,representing the Criminal Justice Division of the Gwinnett County Government. The “high priority” message urges you to report of your own accord to the office of Mr. Porter. A warrant has just been issued for your arrest. Charge: witchcraft or wizardry.

Using the website above, comtemplate your options today as compared to or contrasted with the options that citizens had in 1692. After deliberating, share with us what options would be available to you as a 21st century citizen. Keep in mind that this is a serious charge and your very life could depend on your actions and your plan of defense. [Comments will close on Friday, September 4th @ 7:00 AM. One 6-10 sentence paragraph please.]

Getting to Know Thornton Wilder

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” Thornton Wilder

The play “Our Town”  continues to be the most performed play on high school and university campuses today. Can you imagine why? The simplicity of theme and staging, the minimal action and suspense  –what is it that draws us into this play? Think about this on your own, even before we discuss it in class. I look forward to your comments.

Please read the biography of Thornton Wilder that you will find on the Thornton Wilder Society homepage.

Next, review this presentation about the life and works of Thornton Wilder. Wilder bio

Finally, post a comment to this blog, listing 5 facts that you learned about Wilder on the Wilder Society page that were not included in the PowerPoint.  [Due by 7:00 AM, August 21st]

What is YOUR Green Light?

Fitzgerald's Green Light

Okay, you’ve read F. Scott Fitzgerald‘s The Great Gatsby. Think about how the search for the American Dream influenced his Jazz Age characters. Is 21st century America still driven by the pursuit of the American Dream? What goals and aspirations have you set for yourself in life?

1. Read “Gatsby’s Green Light Beckons a New Set of Strivers” at NY Times Online.

2. Take the Green Light Quiz online.

3. Post a comment to this blog. What do you think about the Times article? How did you do on the quiz? Give some serious thought to the “green lights” that you have embraced in your life …for your future. Make a comment about one of those dreams. How will this dream of yours make you a better person? How will it improve the life of those who share the globe with you? …Be sure to include your first and last name with the period that you have this class. Due: 8:00 AM Wed., Aug. 12th

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And then one fine morning—So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” F. Scott Fitzgerald

Graphic Attribution:

http://www.goatseay.com/greenlight.jpg