Good morning/afternoon, to the coordinates of the Ethics Centre. My name is Nathan Winders and I am a History Professor. The purpose of these Intelligence Squared Debates is to stimulate wider discussion about some of the most complex issues faced by contemporary societies. My debate will focus on the Crucible, weather it should or should not be a compulsory text for high school students in Queensland. I believe the Crucible should most defiantly be a compulsory part of the curriculum.
Taken place in the late 17th century, the Salem witch trials turned family members and longtime friends against each other. The citizens of Salem, Massachusetts feared that there were witches among them, and even the slightest hint of strange behavior caused an uproar and a court trial. The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, tells the story of the many accusations and their consequences. This play should be part of the English curriculum. It has a different style of writing, the language goes along with the times, it is based on real events, and the difficulty level is just right for high school students. The Crucible should remain compulsory on the curriculum.
One of the most important reasons why The Crucible should be part of the curriculum is because of its historical context. Very few of the books read for class are based on historical events.
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He too believes that the reader can learn a lot about the trials from the book. Despite the fact that the story is not one hundred percent accurate, it does contain the stories of actual people who were accused of practicing witchcraft. I believe that this text the Crucible is an excellent way for people to learn about the horrors of the trials and how fear can turn people against each other and therefore should be a part of Australia’s