The word “survivor” describes someone who can handle difficulties when obstacles get in their path. Common examples first thought of could be someone who wins a battle with cancer or survives a tragic event such a serious car accident. Most everyone alive is a survivor at some point in his life, and each has a story behind the difficult time he experienced. Two such survivors are portrayed in two literary works, The Crucible by Arthur Miller and A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson by Mary Rowlandson.
Giles Corey was one of the more courageous characters in The Crucible. At first, when I began reading the play, I saw Giles as a foolish old man. My view of him changed when he muttered the words “more weight” just before he died. When the court asked Giles for the name of the man who he overheard talking to Thomas Putnam, Giles kept his silence. His true heroism shines when he is tortured for remaining silent. Instead of giving the court what they demanded, which would bring a death sentence to the person that he identified, Giles …show more content…
Mary Rowlandson, the main character, Mary instantly comes to mind as a survivor when I ponder on what kept her going through the traumatizing events that occurred over the course of the few days depicted in her story. She was a religious woman. In practically every “Remove” or chapter throughout the book, she quotes a verse from the Bible. More than once she spoke of how she would trust in the Lord and let Him guide her. “My head also was so light that I usually reeled as I went; but I hope all these wearisome steps that I have taken, are but a forewarning to me of the heavenly rest” (page 18). After Mary was kidnapped by the Indians, she experienced one of the lowest times of her life. She put all of her faith in God and soon after being captured, she realized that she had endured that experience for a reason. She viewed it all as a part of God’s
Giles Corey was one of the more courageous characters in The Crucible. At first, when I began reading the play, I saw Giles as a foolish old man. My view of him changed when he muttered the words “more weight” just before he died. When the court asked Giles for the name of the man who he overheard talking to Thomas Putnam, Giles kept his silence. His true heroism shines when he is tortured for remaining silent. Instead of giving the court what they demanded, which would bring a death sentence to the person that he identified, Giles …show more content…
Mary Rowlandson, the main character, Mary instantly comes to mind as a survivor when I ponder on what kept her going through the traumatizing events that occurred over the course of the few days depicted in her story. She was a religious woman. In practically every “Remove” or chapter throughout the book, she quotes a verse from the Bible. More than once she spoke of how she would trust in the Lord and let Him guide her. “My head also was so light that I usually reeled as I went; but I hope all these wearisome steps that I have taken, are but a forewarning to me of the heavenly rest” (page 18). After Mary was kidnapped by the Indians, she experienced one of the lowest times of her life. She put all of her faith in God and soon after being captured, she realized that she had endured that experience for a reason. She viewed it all as a part of God’s