The Puritans: The Salem Witch Trials

In the 1630s, The Puritans came to North America in search of religious freedom. They were persecuted back in England. Their only hope was to leave England. Perhaps in America they could establish a colony whose government, society, and church were all based upon the Bible. In the process, they greatly impacted America in government, religion and social mores. The Puritans were a very fearful, strict, and highly religious people. The Puritans feared the worst things to happen to themselves and to the community. By fearing many things they were very well prepared, they took extreme caution in everything that they did. They knew the difference between right and wrong, and used their knowledge to fight the evil among them. “The Salem witch trials …show more content…
According to our notes and lectures, the Puritans believed in pure bible and believed in predestination. If a person didn’t go to church or practice religious things than they were looked down upon. This can have its positive effects though. If everybody is supposed to go to church then they know how to act kindly, and they know the laws. It also kept them busy and out of trouble. They were expected to be at church on Sundays, and read the bible and pray other days of the week. People also became more educated because they sat through sermons and learned how to read so that they could read the bible. Slaves in the society learned to read and write so that the minister wouldn't think that they were practicing other religions. Some of them may not have been Christians, like the slaves, and may not have wanted to know the Lord at all. If they didn't than they were looked down upon in the town as lower people. Again things could only be done this way or else it was considered wrong in the eyes of the people, if a person did not pray enough or read their bible enough, then they were looked down upon in the community. They always had to please the people in the community. Another aspect of this is that it could affect a trial or judgment. A person could be guilty of a petty crime but be punished hard because it was not holy. The courts might have been influenced by the church. The religiousness took over the way of thinking. …show more content…
“Transcendentalism is a school of thought that began to take form in New England, mainly Concord, MA around 1836 when Ralph Waldo Emerson published Nature. Major thinkers in the Transcendentalist Movement include: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Bronson Alcott. It was a part of a larger literary movement called Romanticism, which emphasized the importance of nature, the emotions and individualism” (Katy Clayton). Hester Prynne is an example of a transcendentalist. She is a major character in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hester clearly demonstrates self-reliance because she is supporting herself and her little daughter Pearl through her own efforts. Hester seems to exemplify self-reliance in generosity and sympathy towards her fellow-citizens. She is still frequently made an object of scorn, but more people are beginning to interpret the “A” on her chest as meaning “Able” rather than “Adulterer.” Hester‘s individuality is represented in here activities and spirit which distinguishes her from the identity imposed on her by her town‘s authorities. An important key point of transcendentalism is reflected in the symbol of nature. When Hester is pushed away from society, she goes to live in an abandoned cabin. The only thing that surrounded the house was woods. With the self-confinement of the woods, she began to learn about herself and her thoughts. The Scarlet Letter made her explore