Similarities And Differences Between The Crucible And The Scarlet Letter

Comparison between “The Crucible” and “The Scarlet Letter” “The Scarlet Letter” written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and “The Crucible” written by Arthur Miller are two pieces of literature written around the same era. They were written in the early days of the Massachusetts colony. Both of the pieces of literature have many similarities including the theme, setting, conflicts, and some major plot elements. But the two pieces of literature are also very different. They both use have a common theme but are completely different stories. Each of the plays tell a different portrayal of the effects of sin on the protagonist, how they deal with the situation, and also how they will be effected by their choices made throughout the play. A common thing …show more content…
Both use theme to develop the leading male characters, and the conflicts that they both go through. Another important use of this theme is to show the effects of their confession when they finally tell their sins. When John confesses, he realizes he may have a little bit of good in him, and is not afraid to be hung as a witch. When the minister confesses, he tells the entire town that everyone sins. After confessing he is eligible to let his daughter kiss him in public and die a happy man. Even though both works have a common theme, they develop a plot in a different way. The common theme allows the authors something that is different in both works and uses symbolism in each. In “The Crucible” John signing his name on the paper confessing the witch craft is stating that he gives up his freedom and the last of his dignity. He knew after signing this he would be an outcast, which could be worse than death. When he tears the confession paper, this symbolizes him breaking free and not giving away his life. “The Scarlet Letter” the “A” represents sin and everyone in Boston notices it and she is shunned. She was known as a sinner and he baby was the devil’s baby. She learns to live with It and except. In both, symbolism is used to help the theme, but symbolizes a different …show more content…
It’s hinted in both plays. “The Scarlet Letter” best use of irony would be the fact that the minister was eligible to commit such a crime to the devil’s desire. It is ironic that the man who preaches against sin everyday is the one who commits it. He does not even have the courage to confess this, knowing it will be the end of him if his guilt does not get him first. In “The Crucible” it is ironic that John realizes that there is good within him and he has to die for a crime that he has not committed. But if it was not for him being sentences to death and not signing the confession papers, he would not have realized he was capable of things besides bad. Irony is not very clear in both works but still makes an