Duality, America, and the Second Week of October

"What is your solution?" Affleck asked of Maher and Harris. "Just condemn Islam? We've killed more Muslims than they've killed us by an awful lot."

On Friday night, actor, political activist, and future Batman, Ben Affleck, appeared on the HBO program, Real Time with Bill Maher. The host and the actor got into a heated debate regarding Islam, and the United States' role in addressing the issue posed by the terrorist group, ISIS.

You can all decide whose viewpoint you agree with more, but the Affleck comment listed above, got me thinking about The Crucible and our on-going discussion of duality.

Affleck's comment reflects the duality of America's role as a foreign policy interventionist. Put simply, our actions overseas have two sides.

• To some, our nation acts in defense of democratic principles and freedoms.

• To others, our acts of war kill innocent civilians and further destabilize nations.

In The Crucible, duality--moreover the rejection of the concept--fuels the hysteria and violence of the witch trials. Miller was onto something: when Americans are not willing to accept, discuss, and debate human duality, things seem to deteriorate rather quickly.

Ah, progress.

This week, we will continue our ongoing discussion of Puritanism and duality.

• As a class, we will read aloud and discuss Act IV of the play. I'm hoping to finish by Friday.
• Independently, you will be responsible for reading the Nathaniel Hawthorne short story, "The Minister's Black Veil." The short story must be read and the accompanying questions must be completed by Friday, October 10th.
• Copies of both the story and the questions will be distributed tomorrow (10/7)

Momentarily, let us leave behind our discussion of the Puritans and the Massachusetts Bay Colony and discuss another region of the United States: the American South.

I am a longtime fan of Athens, Georgia's own Drive-By Truckers, an independent, smart, and raucous rock and roll band fronted by the one and only Patterson Hood.

Patterson is the second guy from the left.

For nearly 20 years, Patterson and crew have been writing songs about the complexities, intricacies, and contradictions of the south. Patterson has spent a good portion of his career attempting to rectify his own progressive politics with his love of a land that ofttimes stands directly opposed to his views.

Recently, Patterson wrote an essay about this complex relationship for the website, The Bitter Southener, entitled, "The New(er) South."

Patterson even coined a term for this relationship: "the duality of the Southern thing."

In a song written from the perspective of the devil, Patterson fully explores this "duality" by examining the lives of three great Alabama Icons: Ronnie Van Zandt, Bear Bryant, and George Wallace.

"The Three Great Alabama Icons"

Puritans, Batman, and rock and roll in one post? Yes! We did it! Ah, America.

Batman is pensive.

Your Task:

• Explain what you think Patterson means by "the duality of the Southern thing."
• Reference both the song and the essay in your response.
• If you're really stuck, explain why you feel that Patterson believes George Wallace is deserving of hellfire.
• Discuss your own views regarding America and duality.
• Explain why duality plays such an extensive role in defining the idea of America.

Your response must be posted to the blog before class on Thursday (10/9).