Speaker 1 Summary
Some writers explain Stalin’s misdeeds by characterizing his sanity during his later years as “paranoia” and “morbid suspiciousness.” However, Stalin’s cruelty was not more apparent during his later years than it was during the earlier periods of his rule. “Morbid suspiciousness” is a required characteristic for tyrants, because without it they would not remain in power.
Speaker 2 Summary
Objective
We need a statement that the critic and writers disagree on. They disagree whether certain characteristics of Stalin could explain why he was such a cruel leader. The writers think that Stalin’s characteristics could explain his misdeeds, while the critic thinks that Stalin was always a cruel leader.
A
whether Stalin should be held guilty of the cruel deeds attributed to him
Neither speaker expresses an opinion on this statement. We don’t know whether either speaker believes Stalin should be held guilty.
B
whether Stalin’s cruel misdeeds provide evidence of morbid suspiciousness
Neither speaker expresses an opinion on this statement. The writers would think the opposite relationship is true. For the writers, Stalin’s morbid suspiciousness explain his cruel misdeeds.
C
whether it is Stalin’s state of paranoia or rather his cruelty that gives the stronger reason for doubting his sanity
Neither speaker expresses an opinion on this statement. Neither speaker addresses whether it’s more likely paranoia or cruelty explain Stalin’s sanity.
D
whether tyranny tends to lead to cruelty
Neither speaker expresses an opinion on this statement. Only the critic addresses tyranny, and the critic does not conclude that tyranny usually leads to cruelty.
E
whether it was Stalin’s psychological state or rather his political condition that was the primary cause of his cruel misdeeds
The critic and the writers disagree on this statement. The writers agree that Stalin’s psychological state explain his cruel misdeeds, while the critic would agree that Stalin’s political status explain his cruel misdeeds.