The Purpose of Life
As the United States revolutionized, so did the soul purpose of life for many people. Each different ideology has a different outlook and view on the purpose of life. Puritans believed that the purpose of life was to please God and follow his word over all other influences. Deists main goal in life was to join the “oversoul” after death. Their literature during the time was based off logical thinking and science. Transcendentalism is an easy-going ideology that mainly focuses on connection with nature and self in order to communicate with God. The canonical literature created by some of the celebrated writers in the United States shows a drastic shift in regards to one’s purpose in life. Puritanism is one of the most traditional …show more content…
In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, he states, "I note that you are rarely in church on Sabbath day...Twenty-six time in seventeenth month sir, I must call that rare" (Miller 1129). The questioning of John Proctor reflects the Puritanistic opinion on religion and praising of God. This ideology states that one should report sinners, attend church regularly, and express God’s grace as an individual. In The Crucible, society is accusing John Proctor of witchcraft for not completing the normal, daily puritan tasks. This shows that as a Puritan, your sole purpose in life is to praise God and do what everyone else around you is doing. Otherwise, you will be targeted and accused of witchcraft. On the other hand, when John Proctor portrays his feelings to Abby in The Crucible, he states, "Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby" (1109). John Proctor’s avoidance of Abby shows the strict prohibition of adultery. Puritans believed in staying loyal and elude from temptations. This proves that a significant purpose of being Puritan is to stay devoted to their spouse and …show more content…
In Thanatopsis, drafted by William Cullen Bryant, he claims, "So live, that when thy summons comes to join/ The innumerable caravan, which moves/ To that mysterious realm/...lies down to pleasant dreams" (Bryant 222). Cullen is trying to persuade people to live their life to the fullest in order to be content when they die. Transcendentalists focused on the now and lived in the moment. This proves the emphasis on living every moment like it’s your last and following your own heart and beliefs. Bryant then goes on to say, "Go forth, under the open sky, and list to Nature's teachings, while from all around Earth and her waters, and the depths of air-comes a still voice-" we will be furthering ourselves in life (Bryant 220). Bryant’s poem expresses the Transcendentalist view of living every moment as if it’s your last. In his statement, Bryant is saying that instead of wasting one’s life conforming to society, one should live freely, connecting with nature and all of its surroundings. Bryant also aims to create a connection of self and nature. Transcendentalism is a deeply spiritual and nature based ideology with the main focus being on connecting with God through
As the United States revolutionized, so did the soul purpose of life for many people. Each different ideology has a different outlook and view on the purpose of life. Puritans believed that the purpose of life was to please God and follow his word over all other influences. Deists main goal in life was to join the “oversoul” after death. Their literature during the time was based off logical thinking and science. Transcendentalism is an easy-going ideology that mainly focuses on connection with nature and self in order to communicate with God. The canonical literature created by some of the celebrated writers in the United States shows a drastic shift in regards to one’s purpose in life. Puritanism is one of the most traditional …show more content…
In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, he states, "I note that you are rarely in church on Sabbath day...Twenty-six time in seventeenth month sir, I must call that rare" (Miller 1129). The questioning of John Proctor reflects the Puritanistic opinion on religion and praising of God. This ideology states that one should report sinners, attend church regularly, and express God’s grace as an individual. In The Crucible, society is accusing John Proctor of witchcraft for not completing the normal, daily puritan tasks. This shows that as a Puritan, your sole purpose in life is to praise God and do what everyone else around you is doing. Otherwise, you will be targeted and accused of witchcraft. On the other hand, when John Proctor portrays his feelings to Abby in The Crucible, he states, "Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby" (1109). John Proctor’s avoidance of Abby shows the strict prohibition of adultery. Puritans believed in staying loyal and elude from temptations. This proves that a significant purpose of being Puritan is to stay devoted to their spouse and …show more content…
In Thanatopsis, drafted by William Cullen Bryant, he claims, "So live, that when thy summons comes to join/ The innumerable caravan, which moves/ To that mysterious realm/...lies down to pleasant dreams" (Bryant 222). Cullen is trying to persuade people to live their life to the fullest in order to be content when they die. Transcendentalists focused on the now and lived in the moment. This proves the emphasis on living every moment like it’s your last and following your own heart and beliefs. Bryant then goes on to say, "Go forth, under the open sky, and list to Nature's teachings, while from all around Earth and her waters, and the depths of air-comes a still voice-" we will be furthering ourselves in life (Bryant 220). Bryant’s poem expresses the Transcendentalist view of living every moment as if it’s your last. In his statement, Bryant is saying that instead of wasting one’s life conforming to society, one should live freely, connecting with nature and all of its surroundings. Bryant also aims to create a connection of self and nature. Transcendentalism is a deeply spiritual and nature based ideology with the main focus being on connecting with God through