1. Theocracy (n)- government by priests claiming to rule with divine authority 2. Autocracy (n)- government by a single person or small group that has unlimited power or authority (could be a theocracy; another kind is plutocracy, gov’t by the rich) 3. Repression (n)- the act of not allowing thoughts to be expressed (others can repress you or you can repress yourself) 4. Hypocrisy (n)- the activity of pretending to believe or feel something that you do not; when one’s actions and supposed beliefs do not match 5. Iniquity (n)- wickedness; sin; lack of righteousness or justice; evilness 6. Diabolism (n)- the practice of dealing with the Devil; sorcery; witchcraft 7. Theology (n)- the study of religion and the relations between God and the universe 8. Malevolence (n)- evil; malice; spitefulness; ill will 9. Puritanical (adj)- extremely strict in matters of morals and religion; super conservative 10. Conjure (v)- to raise spirits from the dead; to create something false (conjure up a story) 11. Defamation (n)- the activity of damaging someone’s reputation with false accusations 12. Lechery (n)- lust; the specific crime of adultery

 Using all the words on List 2, write sentences that relate to literature from 9 th and 10 th grade English.  Suggestions: Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo & Juliet, Lord of the Flies, Antigone, 12 Angry Men, anything else you can think of. You can make sentences relate to our readings this year about the American Dream as well.  Feel free to use more than one word in a sentence if you see the opportunity, and to change it to a different part of speech if you know how.

1. Theocracy (n)  theocrat (n); theocratic (adj) 2. Autocracy (n)  autocrat (n); autocratic (adj) 3. Repression (n)  repressor (n); repress (v); repressive (adj); repressively (adv) 4. Hypocrisy (n)  hypocrite (n); hypocritical (adj); hypocritically (adv) 5. Iniquity (n)  iniquitous (adj); iniquitously (adv) 6. Diabolism (n)  diabolist (n); diabolical (adj); diabolically (adv) 7. Theology (n)  theologian (n); theological (adj); theologically (adv) 8. Malevolence (n)  malevolent (adj); malevolently (adv) 9. Puritanical (adj)  puritanically (adv); puritan (n) 10. Conjure (v)  conjuration (n) 11. Defamation (n)  defame (v); defamatory (adj); defamatorily (adv) 12. Lechery (n)  lecherous (adj); lecherously (adv); lecher (n)

Using all the words from List 2, complete one of the following creative options. Relate it to Valentine’s Day if possible. 1. A story. 2. A letter of any kind: love, hate, break-up, complaint, resignation 3. A song or a poem

Dear Arthur Miller, I think you are a genius. The Crucible is a work of pure prophecy. Through your story of the Salem Witch Trials, you revealed the hypocrisy of theocratic and autocratic governments in general, and showed that they try to repress their citizens by relying on theology. These leaders throughout history seem puritanical (but are actually corrupt), and defame anyone they don’t like by saying they possess iniquity and engage in diabolism and conjuring. This is what happened during the Spanish Inquisition in the 1600’s when the Catholics were malevolent towards the Muslims, and is quite similar to the Second Red Scare of the 1950’s. Even today, our world’s leaders can be hypocritical about many things. In particular, conservative people try to paint those who take part in lechery as evil, when in reality they may have just made a mistake and can learn from it. Your message is timely and is something that is relatable to many historical periods. With great respect and awe, Ms. Bond (and anyone else who agrees)

In this puritanical theocracy, we are repressed John, I haven’t seen you in seven months, I’m so depressed Maybe you’ve taken up theology now But what we had together- wow! How can you ignore me? To do so is an iniquity Come on John, we don’t have to live in hypocrisy Let’s start our own autocracy We can be diabolical and we won’t be considered lecherous Your wife, so sickly, trust me, her you won’t miss I hope you don’t think me malevolent, but our love wasn’t conjured If you leave me now it will be squandered So let’s escape the congregation By engaging in oh-so-delicious defamation

 Using all the words from List 2, write sentences describing what has happened so far in The Crucible or Catcher in the Rye.