tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post1587673469857298040..comments2010-08-05T05:42:35.911-07:00Comments on Leclaire's 6th Hour Honors American Lit Blog: Evil, The Crucible, and UsKristin Lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15076857976818237278noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-14290858569628136652008-09-23T16:19:00.000-07:002008-09-23T16:19:00.000-07:00I definitely think Miller was trying to define the...I definitely think Miller was trying to define the evil as selfishness. Everybody is selfish down to a point. With the witch trials, everybody didn't want to be accused, and being selfish, accused others instead of throwing blame on themself. <BR/><BR/>Evil to me is a lot of things in this world. But, to sum it up I think evil is something done to something or someone else for selfish reasons, or to accomplish something underhandedly. If that makes sense at all...<BR/><BR/>In the recent texts that we have studied, evil is definitely apparent. With the "Unnatural Killers", we tried to blame the movie. And also in the Crucible, people would blame others for selfish reasons.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00132707806728429150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-8418688031015346942008-09-23T15:17:00.000-07:002008-09-23T15:17:00.000-07:00LaurenC- Again, yes, sexual impulses are part of o...LaurenC- Again, yes, sexual impulses are part of our human animalistic sense of being. But, again, that IS human nature. Human nature is what compels us to get involved sexually. Again, the impulse, you must try and resist that temptation. Our human nature makes us weak, it lies to us, it gives us instincts that, if not fulfilled or excelled in the right way, are used for completely wrong ways.<BR/><BR/>I also don't believe in a black and white definition of right and wrong. Right and wrong are so different to each individual, it would be impossible to come up with a summary identity. I feel that right and wrong are what you feel in your heart. If you feel compelled to do something, though it may be evil, it's what you usually end up doing. It's your nature, it's how we were born.<BR/><BR/>As for the God thing, I am a Christian, and believing so, I know there is a God. Though people may not agree, I also feel that yes, the commandments are there, they are stone, they are rules to be followed. But, they are the basics. These "rules" are merely guidelines to helping you resist temptation, helping you go against your own human nature. <BR/><BR/>The reason God gave us those was to help us, not hinder us.<BR/><BR/>((And if my response offended anyone, please do not hesitate to tell me. I will try as hard as possible not to incorporate some of that into other answers.))Maddie T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01424816639615348714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-72026590749666611022008-09-23T13:14:00.003-07:002008-09-23T13:14:00.003-07:00Mattn- yes I am in accordance with that. But I thi...Mattn- yes I am in accordance with that. But I think if some sketchsters want to make sketch dog companies they should go for itroserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04232751482663420630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-47174760793290092162008-09-23T13:14:00.002-07:002008-09-23T13:14:00.002-07:00Whitney S~I get what you're saying, but "evil" to ...Whitney S~<BR/>I get what you're saying, but "evil" to me is the trait of being completly "not good." Saying this, I think that while Hitler and the Nazi's were totally and completly out of line, horrible, cruel... (you get the point), Hitler himself was not evil. This may be a touchy subject and I'm totally not trying to offend anyone, but I don't think that he himself was evil. I think that his ideas were evilalexfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00945327406690770767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-89426798160627826462008-09-23T13:14:00.001-07:002008-09-23T13:14:00.001-07:00madisont - but it's a very interesting thing to th...madisont - but it's a very interesting thing to think about..who says what's right and wrong? (hypothetically) <BR/><BR/>were the commandments just invented by someone wanting a more peaceful life or is there really a god? eek, I'm getting controversial here...<BR/><BR/>anyway my point is how do we know it's really evil temptation's we're fighting? Aren't things like sex just natural animalistic impulses?Laurenchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12054801168706576090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-92151159807912826962008-09-23T13:14:00.000-07:002008-09-23T13:14:00.000-07:00Chelsea- I agree but i think that the human race o...Chelsea- I agree but i think that the human race ourselves are more of a danger then the things you said.MattNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461795084682756926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-35849481199929246432008-09-23T13:13:00.001-07:002008-09-23T13:13:00.001-07:00sdermody-I like you connection-that really sheds a...sdermody-I like you connection-that really sheds a new light on the idea of evil. I also think that people who don't believe in the concept of evil are scared of it because they really aren't extremely convinced that it doesn't exist. They could be scared that their disbelief will cause something bad to happen if evil really does exist.shannanphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05423102894439816711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-39837522735150591892008-09-23T13:13:00.000-07:002008-09-23T13:13:00.000-07:00Also, Puritans were afraid of anything that was ev...Also, Puritans were afraid of anything that was even remotely different from them, and so they eschewed whatever was different. I see that a lot in our culture too and even in our school (don't deny it...)amywhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05690923943625016100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-29989962697642279242008-09-23T13:12:00.002-07:002008-09-23T13:12:00.002-07:00Matt-I think that some of the evils that our socie...Matt-I think that some of the evils that our society faces today include terrorism, fear of the unknown, blaming others when a crisis occurs, and many others. What other evils do you guys think that our society faces???chelseashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05765067948147092212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-67465084891145968402008-09-23T13:12:00.001-07:002008-09-23T13:12:00.001-07:00Shan~ But what makes them evil? I don't want to co...Shan~ But what makes them evil? I don't want to come across as I think they were good because obviously they weren't and they cause much damage. But, are they more bad people? or are they actually evil if that makes sense. Because there's a difference between being evil and being a bad person. They did terrible things but I don't think it was necessarily considered evil. They were harmful and destructive people.<BR/><BR/>So, where does the definition of evil come into play? Who and what is considered evil in this generation? Where does evil cross the line of being bad?kennawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03343060798713548405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-52751880397279571612008-09-23T13:12:00.000-07:002008-09-23T13:12:00.000-07:00shannanp---Evil tendencies can lead to evil action...shannanp---Evil tendencies can lead to evil actions.amywhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05690923943625016100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-61580994370623483782008-09-23T13:11:00.005-07:002008-09-23T13:11:00.005-07:00I think Miller would define evil as siding with or...I think Miller would define evil as siding with or even associating with the devil. In "The Crucible", characters who associate with the devil are blamed and accused for doing terrible things. Miller made the devil seem like the ultimate source of evil throughout the book.<BR/><BR/>I would define evil as rebelling against society. This might include breaking the rules/laws and not cooperating with others around them. Society needs to be able to conform together to be successful in my opinion.<BR/><BR/>I think the greatest "evil" that our society faces today is discrimination against race, gender, anything. Sometimes, we are not even aware we are doing it, but we are such a stereotypical society. I think it is important to not take sides and to make an extra effort to see everything and everyone in a positive light. I think this would eliminate a lot of evil from our society.EmilyJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13920582438893890921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-76423458726633798162008-09-23T13:11:00.004-07:002008-09-23T13:11:00.004-07:00Sabrina- interesting connection...I was thinking h...Sabrina- interesting connection...I was thinking how most people, I think, believe in death, and some are pretty scared about thatroserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04232751482663420630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-12063816374159859472008-09-23T13:11:00.003-07:002008-09-23T13:11:00.003-07:00kiraw - I agree. I know I've looked at other peopl...kiraw - I agree. I know I've looked at other people and said things like wow I wish I was as pretty as her or as rich as him, etc..but it doesn't serve any purpose except depressing you. <BR/><BR/>But on the same note I think it's human nature to compare ourself to others. It's something that everyone has done going way back into history. Kings wanted others King's land and so on and so forthLaurenchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12054801168706576090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-31558663665694843152008-09-23T13:11:00.002-07:002008-09-23T13:11:00.002-07:00alexf- I have such a hard time finding free time b...alexf- I have such a hard time finding free time because I have so many things expected of me. I'm trying to do my homework, work on the play, and clock hours for driving. I havn't had time to hang out with friends and weeks. And I probably won't for another month and most people I know are as busy as me or busier.<BR/><BR/>Liz- I kind of agree with what you said about repressed sexuality but I also sort of disagree. Sex has quite frankly become a source of entertainment. Magazines love to talk about when people have had an affair and it's used for comedy or drama in the arts. Back then it would never ever have been even menchioned.Ryadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16518319620437884931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-50266961849822823922008-09-23T13:11:00.001-07:002008-09-23T13:11:00.001-07:00Mollyd, I totally agree with you. We do have a har...Mollyd, I totally agree with you. We do have a hard time trying to mix with different "types" of people.KiraWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09254379644908141311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-43156522630589636492008-09-23T13:11:00.000-07:002008-09-23T13:11:00.000-07:00alexf- I see where you are coming from with the wh...alexf- I see where you are coming from with the whole devil being the only evil thing, but I also disagree. The devil tempts people and makes them perform acts of evil. He uses people and thus that allows people to be evil.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12756426265527503133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-85753676177524309152008-09-23T13:10:00.002-07:002008-09-23T13:10:00.002-07:00AmyW- Would you define an evil tendency as an acti...AmyW- Would you define an evil tendency as an action?<BR/><BR/>Whitney-I think that people aren't evil, like Hitler wasn't an evil person underneath it all, he just had evil motives and a distorted view of the world. I believe that evil can be mistaken as a different view on situations. What is evil to one person might be completely normal to another.shannanphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05423102894439816711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-76668466176841362452008-09-23T13:10:00.001-07:002008-09-23T13:10:00.001-07:00lizc---I agree. We see sexuality as this extremely...lizc---I agree. We see sexuality as this extremely taboo thing, while Europeans, well, don't. Even when a teacher mentions it in class, in any way, directly or indirectly, everyone starts giggling uncomfortably (which I think is kind of ridiculous...)amywhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05690923943625016100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-11417416649764785892008-09-23T13:10:00.000-07:002008-09-23T13:10:00.000-07:00I believe that evil is more of a form of human nat...I believe that evil is more of a form of human nature. I don't understand why we have to control evil, and put it into categories. There is just no way you could do it and be completely right. I believe that the root of human nature is evil. <BR/><BR/>We say that human nature is to be selfish, be prideful, and follow the Devil's rules. I've read all your responses..and I agree with some, but I truthfully believe that just about every bit of human nature is evil.<BR/><BR/>We are CONSTANTLY fighting temptation, every day, every minute. We could just as easily ditch a class as we could go to it. We could just as easily get sexually involved instead of staying pure. There are so many ways we have experienced and tried to resist evil.<BR/><BR/>It is life based, there is no way to get out of it, all we can do is continue to fight it.Maddie T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01424816639615348714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-39881165894977385432008-09-23T13:09:00.002-07:002008-09-23T13:09:00.002-07:00amyw- I agree with rose. I think that we have inhe...amyw- I agree with rose. I think that we have inherited many of their basic principles. We are slowly staring to change though, and not act upon those principles as much.KatePhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05494026803062056112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-13145325666147192162008-09-23T13:09:00.001-07:002008-09-23T13:09:00.001-07:00Rose-I think that it is different work. Back then...Rose-I think that it is different work. Back then, they had more physical work that was much harder than that of today. However, I think that we have harder mental work today, and we have more to worry about because of modern technology and such.chelseashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05765067948147092212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-92230014147348627922008-09-23T13:09:00.000-07:002008-09-23T13:09:00.000-07:00roser- i totally agree people just do nothing cuz ...roser- i totally agree people just do nothing cuz they have technology, and they make sketchster dog companies and don't work as hard as they had to to make a living back then!MattNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461795084682756926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-11116397810476441432008-09-23T13:08:00.005-07:002008-09-23T13:08:00.005-07:00I like what Hannah had to say about how we always ...I like what Hannah had to say about how we always feel that we need to be in one group or another. It is very hard to be in between and if a person is, they usually get noticed a lot for it and sometimes it is not positive attention.mollydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10024226616906479316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1556972819704554909.post-83570508917150876152008-09-23T13:08:00.004-07:002008-09-23T13:08:00.004-07:00Shannon- I do think that there are people who don'...Shannon- I do think that there are people who don't believe in evil. For some reason the movie The Exersism of Emily Rose comes to mind. There was a particular scene where it was calimed that, the people who fear the evil the most are thoes who don't believe in them. I think that that is an interesting quote because how can you be scared of something that you believe in? But as much as it doesn't make much sense the idea is seen everyday.sabrinadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05875515825872266386noreply@blogger.com