Keefe 1

Emma Keefe

Mr.Smith

A Block

April 4, 2023

Crucible & C.D. Essay

In both texts it indicates that people should go against the norm when it comes to doing

and standing up for the honest and truthful thing. During the passage Civil Disobedience by

Thoreau explains the extent he went to disobey the law to get his point across. In the excerpt

thoreau states, “but it is his duty, at least, to wash his hands of it, and, if he gives it no thought

longer, not to give it practically his support.”(Thoreau). Saying to get him out of it and it is his

duty no longer, he did not pay taxes because this does not support the government which

supports slavery. This is further demonstrated when, Thoreau emphasizes, “nine shillings for the

state, ge is put in prison for a period unlimited by any law that i know and determined only by

the discretion of those who placed him there: but if he should steal ninety times nine shillings

from the state, he is soon permitted to go at large again” (Thoreau). He used symbolism with the

Nine shillings referring to the taxes he didn't pay. It's ironic because he gets arrested for not

paying taxes, but slave owners don’t get arrested for committing unethical acts such as slavery.

The principle was taking action against slavery, to make a change. Believing in a cause you must

take action or make a move. This is very similar to when Elizabeth also disobeys the law

however for a different reason.

In the Crucible, there are many lies that are told to accuse people of witchcraft. However

Elizabeth's lie is trying to prove her husband's innocence. “Answer my question! Is your husband

a lecher!” “No Sir” (Miller 120) . During Act Three Elizabeth is questioned if her husband is an
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adulterer, to trust her oath to the court. She proceeds to withhold the truth not knowing Proctor

already confessed. Elizabeth disobeyed the law of the court to protect her husband who was

trying to protect her. This is demonstrated when Proctor talks to Mr Hale, “Mr Hale, as God has

not empowered me like Joshua to stop this sun from rising, so I cannot withhold from them the

perfection of their punishment” ( Miller 120). Proctor is coming to terms with his punishment of

being accused of witchcraft. He’s come to terms that his life is one of the many wrongly accused

of witchcraft but he no longer has the urge to fight for what he knows is right.

Both sources want two acts, slavery and witchcraft to come to an end. There is a means

of the good of society trying to improve the world around them and then the government

ignoring the fact. “But in this case the state has provided no way: Its very constitution is evil”

(Thoreau). Issue with the constitution, slavery is in there so petitioning will have no effect

against the law. Both sources exemplify the necessary act of disobedience to prove the

innocence. Providing different aspects provides a better understanding of ways that can be

completed to provide a voice without actually speaking or going against someone verbally. The

Crucible provided a perspective of innocent people being blamed for a fictional act, they ended

up suffering similar to slavery when talked about in Civil Disobedience. They both show the

community coming together in different ways to shape and strive forward for equality.

Disobedience in a corrupt biased government however can be telling the truth to the matter.
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Rubric
Skill Not Foundational Proficient Advanced
Yet

Identifies a topic Makes a statement Makes a complex

that answers the statement that
Thesis/Claim essential question or answers the
relates to the conflict essential question or
of man versus relates to the conflict
society of man versus
society; addresses a
nuance or limitation
of the claim

Includes evidence Includes multiple Includes specific,

from one or less of pieces of evidence meaningful, and
the texts from both texts that well-chosen
Evidence relates to the thesis evidence that relates
Some evidence to the thesis
relates to the thesis

Summarizes sources Explains how Explains

evidence supports well-selected points
Analysis/ topic sentence of of comparison
Synthesis individual among sources and
paragraphs and evidence and their
thesis/essential connection to the
question thesis/essential
question
Explains how the
texts/sources are
related, though
points could be more
selective or better
developed
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Includes elements of a At least three Follows paragraph

Organization multi-paragraph paragraphs with clear organization and is
response topic sentences, organized to show how
transitions, and ideas build on one
concluding statements another
that return to the
thesis/essential
question

Shows evidence of Most quotes are All quotes are

basic proofreading correctly integrated correctly integrated

Follows essay Shows evidence of

Conventions
organization careful proofreading

Shows evidence of
proofreading