Orwell's "Politics and the English Language"

George Orwell writes that the english language is being misused more often than not. He says that people tend to convolut their meaning with pre-fabricated sentences and phrases. By useing these words and phrases, the writers sound more intelligent, but in actualtity, do the opposite. Politicians use this to decieve the people. They use long, compound sentences devoid of meaning to attempt to show that they care. Orwell sugests that when writing, one should imagine what they want, picture it in their head, then find the words to describe it, not the other way around. He shows that the Enlgish language has been depreciated by this. However, he also shows that with the efforts of even just a minority, it can be salvaged.

1st book proposal

“The Crucible”, a play written by Arthur Miller, is set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It follows the accusations and trial of several people accused of witchcraft. A group of teenaged girls goes into the woods with a slave named Tituba and they do dances. At the conclusion of these dances, one girl, Betty becomes catatonic. Once she wakes, Betty has a fit and the people who have gathered at her home believe she has been bewitched. A neighbor, Proctor, talks to Abigail, another girl involved, alone. The two have a history: when Abigail was working for the Proctor family, she had an affair with John and was fired. Abigail still wants him, but he denies her. The Reverend Hale comes to check on Betty and questions Abigail. He is suspicious of Abigail’s behavior and speaks to the slave, Tituba. She confesses to dealing with the devil and says that various members of the society have done so with her. Betty and Abigail go along with the story and accuse more people, stating that they have seen them do so. Later, Mr. and Mrs. Proctor receive news that Elizabeth is one of the accused. Shortly thereafter, she is arrested. Mr. Proctor brings their servant, Mary, who is one of Abigail’s friends, to court to expose the girls as frauds. The judge allows her to testify, but when the other girls are brought in, they say that Mary has bewitched them. Mr. Proctor confesses his affair with Abigail, but his wife covers for him. He is accused of lying and sentenced. Mary claims that Proctor is a witch. By the next fall, Abigail has run away. Reverend Hale asks the accused to falsely confess in order to live, but they all refuse. He asks Mrs. Proctor to get John to confess and he does. Not long after, he tears up the confession. He is hanged with the other supposed witches.
This book provides a look at the way of life in 1692 America. This is a unique viewpoint that is sure to include dialogue, opinions and occurrences not commonly seen of experienced today. It will surely have a rich text that is beneficial to preparation for the AP Language test. The entire book will be read by November 28. Act 1 will be complete by the 15th, Act 2 by the 20th, Act 3 by the 24 and Act 4 by the 28th.
The writing prompts relevant to the text are included below.
Writers often highlight the values of a culture or a society by using characters who
are alienated from that culture or society because of gender, race, class, or creed.
Choose a play or novel in which such a character plays a significant role and show
how that character’s alienation reveals the surrounding society’s assumptions and
moral values.

Novels and plays often include scenes of weddings, funerals, parties, and other
social occasions. Such scenes may reveal the values of the characters and the society
in which they live. Select a novel or play that includes such a scene and, in a focused
essay, discuss the contribution the scene makes to the meaning of the work as a
whole.

Books

I would like to read In Clood Blood, Angela's Ashes, A Christmas Story, The Crucible and To Kill A Mocking Bird, along with The Glass Castle.