“Puritanism exercised a profound influence on both the politics and culture of the seventeenth century…” (History Study Centre) Throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth century Puritanism had a large impact on almost every aspect of life. Similar to the previous quote, it was said there was almost no difference between religion and law during this era. Compared to modern laws, the laws of this time were much stricter; one could be sentenced to prison time or even be hung for things that are deemed more acceptable in today’s society. Committing adultery and being accused of befriending the devil through witchcraft were just a few of many things that one could do to receive such a punishment. Examples of both of these are displayed in the play
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During the puritan era, it was important for people to have status in their towns. Through this they were able to gain land and respect in their area. In both of these texts the importance of reputation is very much shown among the characters. In “The Crucible” John Proctor tries as hard as he can to keep his name good in the town until it becomes absolutely impossible to do anymore. It was such an important aspect of life that John Proctor was able to use it as evidence when convincing the judges that he and Abigail had actually committed adultery. On page 1207 in Act 3 he explains this to the judge, “I have made a bell of my honor! I have rung the doom of good name- you will believe me.” The importance of reputation also applies in The Scarlet Letter. When Hester and her husband speak for the first time since the adultery had taken place he told he care more about his reputation. Her husband had wanted revenge and when Hester asked why he didn’t cast her off because he could as her husband, his reputation mattered more. He explained this on page seventy-one in Chapter four, “‘It may be,’ he replied, ‘because I will not encounter the dishonor that besmirches the husband of a faithless woman.’” Both of these texts show the importance of reputation in the Puritan Era in many different …show more content…
In “The Crucible” John Proctor refuses to sign the paper that would hang on the church saying he was a witch. His reasoning for this was his children, on page 1231 in Act 4 he displays how he cannot take others down with him either, “I have three children- how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends?” John Proctor did not want to be a bad influence on his children, he rather die before he sets a poor example for them. However, in The Scarlet Letter, Hester wanted to keep Pearl, no matter the sin she had committed. Hester ever fought with the governor to keep her daughter. While Hester was not proud of the sin she had committed, she still told Pearl about it. On page 168 in chapter 16 she explained what her scarlet letter meant, “‘Once in my life I met the Black Man!’ said her mother. ‘The scarlet letter is his mark!” Hester, unlike John, wanted to have Pearl in her life no matter what. “With Dimmesdale and Pearl at her side, she could be happy leaving Boston and going to England without their reconciling themselves with the Puritan community,” (Harper). The parents in these two texts saw what was best for their children in two different
During the puritan era, it was important for people to have status in their towns. Through this they were able to gain land and respect in their area. In both of these texts the importance of reputation is very much shown among the characters. In “The Crucible” John Proctor tries as hard as he can to keep his name good in the town until it becomes absolutely impossible to do anymore. It was such an important aspect of life that John Proctor was able to use it as evidence when convincing the judges that he and Abigail had actually committed adultery. On page 1207 in Act 3 he explains this to the judge, “I have made a bell of my honor! I have rung the doom of good name- you will believe me.” The importance of reputation also applies in The Scarlet Letter. When Hester and her husband speak for the first time since the adultery had taken place he told he care more about his reputation. Her husband had wanted revenge and when Hester asked why he didn’t cast her off because he could as her husband, his reputation mattered more. He explained this on page seventy-one in Chapter four, “‘It may be,’ he replied, ‘because I will not encounter the dishonor that besmirches the husband of a faithless woman.’” Both of these texts show the importance of reputation in the Puritan Era in many different …show more content…
In “The Crucible” John Proctor refuses to sign the paper that would hang on the church saying he was a witch. His reasoning for this was his children, on page 1231 in Act 4 he displays how he cannot take others down with him either, “I have three children- how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends?” John Proctor did not want to be a bad influence on his children, he rather die before he sets a poor example for them. However, in The Scarlet Letter, Hester wanted to keep Pearl, no matter the sin she had committed. Hester ever fought with the governor to keep her daughter. While Hester was not proud of the sin she had committed, she still told Pearl about it. On page 168 in chapter 16 she explained what her scarlet letter meant, “‘Once in my life I met the Black Man!’ said her mother. ‘The scarlet letter is his mark!” Hester, unlike John, wanted to have Pearl in her life no matter what. “With Dimmesdale and Pearl at her side, she could be happy leaving Boston and going to England without their reconciling themselves with the Puritan community,” (Harper). The parents in these two texts saw what was best for their children in two different