Good morning/afternoon, Juniors!
I'm not sure if you're aware, but you've lucked out. Because junior year is when you take all of your admissions exams (ASVAB, Accuplacer, SmarterBalanced, ACT, etc.), your English year was heavily front-loaded; we tackled a lot during the first three quarters. So, our next few weeks will mostly be review: reviewing topics that you've covered sometime in the past four years but that also commonly show up on admissions exams. We will also be reading together. For the sake of everyone involved, we won't worry about taking our literature chronologically. Instead, we'll meander through the texts that are most interesting and that offer the best opportunities for online forum discussion. So, let's start in our first text: "Trifles" by Susan Glaspell. If you like murder mysteries, dark thrillers, or case-file-type documentaries, you're going to like "Trifles"--you'll probably like it even if you're not a big fan of those genres. This particular story actually comes in two forms: the original play, "Trifles," and the story story that Glaspell adapted it into, "A Jury of Her Peers." Personally, I find it easier and more enjoyable to read the play, but if you're feeling more like a short story, go ahead and Google the title "A Jury of Her Peers," and you'll easily find it. Either version will work fine for this week's assignment. SPOILERS AHEAD If you have not yet read the play or story, TURN BACK NOW! Once you've finished the reading, come on back here, and we'll continue together. Go ahead: I'll wait. Okay then: your assignment. As you have now discovered, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters lie at the end of our play, and it's a pretty big lie: because of the lie, the sheriff won't be able to establish motive and, therefore, the killer won't be brought to justice. Or will she? Justice: it's a weighty word. It's also a tough concept to nail down; that's why lawyers spend so much time in front of books and judges and juries, trying to determine what "justice" actually means in particular situations. You're going to give that challenge a shot yourself, now. Below in a comment (leave your own comment by filling in the boxes under "Leave a Reply;" you should not enter anything for "Website"), make your case as to whether or not justice is served at the end of the play. Did Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters do the right thing: was justice served? Your first sentence (your claim) will directly answer that question, and then--as always--you will support that claim with evidence and much, much reasoning. This first comment is due by 12:17pm on Thursday.
By Friday at 12:17pm, make sure to respond to at least one post that disagrees with your claim. Respectfully explain why you disagree--or, if they've changed your mind a bit, go ahead and admit that and explain why. Enjoy the debate! And feel free to defend yourself with as many replies as you like.
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