Ceja 1

Priscilla Ceja
Mrs. Storer
English 3H, Block 5
24 September 2019
Socratic Circle Reflection on the Crucible
Reflection on Performance:
To begin with, I would rate my preparation for this Socratic seminar an eight out of ten.
This is because all though I tried my best to prepare with various quotes, and sometimes even
more than two answers per question, I did not always understand the questions were asking. I
would rate my contribution to the circle a seven out of ten. This is because sometimes I felt like I
was talking too much, sometimes I did not have great evidence, or my points did not really
deepen the understanding of the group. I would rate my teamwork in the inner circle a six out of
ten. This is because I rarely agreed with other people’s opinions in the groups; I feel that I did
this because it is easier to deepen a question’s understanding when you bring in another
perspective to the argument, rather than agree with someone. I would rate my feedback a nine
out of ten. This is because I tried to catch as many big and small details as I could. However, I
was not able to catch exactly everything, which is why I docked myself a point. To improve what
happened in the Socratic circle, I think I could have provided better evidence with my arguments
and maybe offered some of my own questions (since all I did was answer the facilitator’s
question). The goals I have for my next Socratic circle are to provide better evidence, support
people rather than argue against them, and speak only when I have a really good point to make.
I would rate my group’s preparation a nine out of ten. I think that they also tried their best
to prepare but that they did not fully understand the questions either. I would rate our group’s
inner circle talk an eight out of ten. Although one of my partners had some great points, I feel
like she needed more evidence, whereas my other partner mumbled a bit. However, they did
great overall. I think my group’s inner circle teamwork was great, I would rate it a ten out of ten
because they usually agreed with others and did it with evidence (rather than just agree because
they did not know what to say). I would rate my group’s feedback a nine out of ten because they
gave me great, clear feedback. If anything, I would only change that one of my partners would
write a little more.
 Ceja 2

Reflection on Content:
Man versus Society is an important concept in the Crucible because it shows why a
person must fight for their ideals.
One point I could make to support this thesis is that sometimes a society may be irrational
and need some sense, like the accusation system and trials in the Salem town society. Another
point I could make would be that sometimes a society can be unjust, like the punishments that
would ensue in the Salem town society. Lastly, one might simply want to defend their ideals,
even if the whole world thinks they are wrong. For example, even though John Proctor not going
to Sunday mass was not necessarily the right thing to do, people should still accept him and not
use it as an excuse to think that he affiliates himself with the devil. If no one had fought against
the society of Salem, it would still have been an irrational, unjust, and unaccepting town.
One could connect learning about the irrational accusations in the Salem society with the
irrational occasion of segregation in the USA. For both, the only reason that they existed was to
take out the hate people had on outcasts and those they did not like; the outcasts and disliked
people could be the minority blacks in the USA, the rich people in Salem, or simply those that
people had a grudge on (Elizabeth). As for being unjust, one could connect the extremely unjust
punishment of hanging with a teacher giving a student a bad grade because they do not like them.
Both of these occasions are unjust, and stem from something very small; one could have read
books in the Salem society or simply have said one rude thing to a teacher. Finally, John Proctor
standing up for his ideals connects with people who choose to modify themselves some way. For
example, one may get a piercing on their face or dye their hair a bold color. While there are some
people who might think that is disgusting or ridiculous, people should still accept them and
respect their views and opinions.