The Crucible Symposium
By Brianna and Stevie, 8th Grade students
On Friday, November 6, the 8th grade attended a symposium about The Crucible, organized by our Humanities teacher, Ms. Ramberg, and Matthew Daude-Laurents, father of Luiza and occasional GSA ethics teacher. Among us were three honored guests: Alex Feldman, a literature professor; Rebecca Hewett, a dramatist; and David Lauderback, a historian. Matthew was also there to ask us questions and spark conversation about what we had just learned.
During the Symposium, our three guests spoke, using their particular discipline to focus on an element of the play. Ms. Hewett explained to us about how Arthur Miller portrayed the story similar to his own life, while Mr. Lauderback explained how the introduction to The Crucible showed Miller's perspective. Mr. Feldman talked about the similarities between the trials in Miller's plays and other trial plays written during the 1950's. Also he talked about how each of these plays has at least one character that learned something and changed over the course of the play.
After these formal lectures we enjoyed a pot-luck lunch provided by the 8th grade. Then our class presented two student-selected and -directed scenes from The Crucible. Gabriella Petterson and Tillie Walden were the directors, and every class member played at least one part in the two pivotal scenes from the play. Following the scenes we all enjoyed dessert and lively discussion facilitated by Matthew.