“The Crucible” Fallacies: Ad Hominem/Poisoning the Well Trevor Robbins

Person B attacks person A Therefore A’s claim is false. Definition Ad Hominem attacks a person’s character rather than their reasoning. In other words: Person A makes claim X Person B attacks person A Therefore A’s claim is false.

Universal Examples “How can you argue your case for vegetarianism when you are enjoying your steak?”

The Crucible Examples Ad Hominem- Abigail Hale, grasping Abigail: “Abigail, it may be your cousin is dying. Did you call the Devil last night?” Abigail: “I never called him! Tituba, Tituba . . .” pg. 42 Fallacy: Abigail begins to worry because Hale uncovers the holes in her story. She attacks Tituba, claiming that she had called the Devil which takes the attention away from Abigail.

The Crucible Examples Ad Hominem- Proctor Abigail, crying to Heaven: “Oh, Heavenly Father, take away this shadow!” Proctor: “How do you call Heaven! Whore! Whore!” pg. 109 Fallacy: Abigail claims she’s being bewitched so, in an attempt to distract the court’s proceedings, Proctor calls Abigail a “whore.” The shock of such a sin works in Proctor’s favor.

Works Cited "." <i></i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <https://criticalthinking- mc205.wikispaces.com/Fallacies+%26+Logic>. "Radio Free NJ." <i>:</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://freenj.blogspot.com/2012/05/rfnjs-last-word-on-baseless- racism.html>. "Ad Hominem - Definition and Examples | Literary Devices." <i>Literary Devices</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://literarydevices.net/ad- hominem/>.