1. The Straw Man Whitney Phillips 7 th Period

3. Definition: Straw Man Fallacy- when a character misrepresents another character’s position and then proceeds to refute that misrepresentation

4. Universal Example: An example would be when President Obama and Governor Romney would debate against each other, and when one of them would say something bad about the other and that makes the other one sound bad, but makes the “accuser” sound better.

5. Example 1: Act III Pg. 211 ~ Proctor: I-I have no love for Mr. Parris. It is no secret. But God I surely love. ~ Cheever: He plow on Sunday, sir. ~ Danforth: Plow on Sunday! ~ Cheever: (apologetically) I think it be evidence, John. I am an official of the court, I cannot keep it. ~ Proctor: I-I have once or twice plowed on Sunday. I have three children, sir, and until last year my land give little.

6. Explanation… Proctor and Cheever are arguing over Proctor’s credibility and innocence in the court. Cheever brings up plowing on Sunday’s to make the issue larger involving religion.

7. Example 2: Act II Pg. 196 ~ Elizabeth: John, with so many in the jail, more than Cheever’s help is needed now, I think. Would you favor me with this? Go to Abigail. ~ Proctor: What have I say to Abigail? ~ Elizabeth: John-grant me this. You have a faulty understanding of young girls. There is a promise made in any bed- ~ Proctor: What promise! ~Elizabeth: Spoke or silent, a promise is surely made. And she may dote on it now-I am sure she does-and thinks to kill me, then to take my place.

8. Explanation… John and Elizabeth are arguing over what Abigail means to John. He says that it was just emotional. When Elizabeth narrows the argument to a promise made in the bed, it makes it harder for John to defend.

9. Sources: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=the+straw+man+fallacy&hl=en&safe=active&biw =1280&bih=827&tbm=isch&tbnid=jWjWZJcHY7musM:&imgrefurl=http://www.answe rsingenesis.org/articles/2009/09/28/logical-fallacies-straw- man&docid=VwbRjJQBZgh1gM&imgurl=http://www.answersingenesis.org/assets/im ages/articles/2009/09/Strawman.jpg&w=350&h=283&ei=bHUmUeCkGYLU9ASc34A4 &zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=281&sig=104380634284263448115&page=1&tbnh=147&tbnw= 182&start=0&ndsp=35&ved=1t:429,i:98&tx=121&ty=57 http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2009/09/28/logical-fallacies-straw-man