Scarlet Letter 6: 126-144

1) "I , your pastor, whom you so reverence and trust, am utterly a pollution and a lie!" (131).

Dimmesdale has this thought constantly running through his mind. He wants to confess so badly, but he cannot. This quote is what he truly wishes to say, but he fears that the people in the village will fall into utter chaos if he does specially confess. Dimmesdale, trying to relieve himself of his guilt, often says that he is a vile and unholy creature during his sermons. However, the people of the village never make the connection between him and Hester. This is because they view him as infinitely holy. They believe him to be a saint on earth so he simply cannot confess, no matter how much he alludes to his sin.

Will Dimmesdale's mental and physical anguish force him to confess? If he did confess would the townspeople believe him?

2) "Come with me, I beseech you, Reverend Sir; else you will be poorly able to do Sabbath duty to-morrow. Aha! see now, how they trouble the brain,—these books!—these books! You should study less, good Sir, and take a little pastime; or these night whimseys will grow upon you" (143).

Chillingworth says this after observing the scene on the scaffold in the middle of the night. Pearl takes notice to him during the phenomenon of the letter A appearing in the sky. Chillingworth walks up to the scaffold in an innocent manner, and speaks as if he knows nothing. He does not accuse Dimmesdale of anything. He merely claims that Dimmesdale is sleepwalking because of studying too hard. He begs the reverend to come with him, and Dimmesdale complies. Chillingworth is secretly overjoyed at seeing this behavior in Dimmesdale. He wants to drive him to insanity slowly and painfully. Dimmesdale's behavior shows that he is succeeding in this goal. 

When will Dimmesdale realize Chillingworth's evil intentions?

Scarlet Letter 5: 107-126

1) "Then why not reveal them here?... Why should not the guilty ones sooner avail themselves of this unutterable solace?" (120).

Chillingworth says this to Dimmesdale during their discussion about men bearing their sins. Chillingworth asks the reverend why men keep their sins bottled up inside him. He believes that they should express it to the world, so that they may feel redemption. Dimmesdale responds to this by, at first, agreeing with Chillingworth, and then saying that some men cannot admit to their simply because of their nature, or they believe that they cannot be redeemed even if they confess because of the severity of their sin. He says that some would rather confess to God with their last breath because they cannot bear to confess to others.

This passage obviously alluding to Dimmesdale's own guilt. He tries to defend his own character. He is the type of man who he explains cannot confess. What he says about men bearing guilt is what he is going through.  

Does Chillingworth suspect Dimmesdale to be Pearl's father at this point? Will Dimmesdale be unable to confess because he is the type of man he describes in the quote?

2) "The people looked, with an unshaken hope, to see the minister come forth out of the conflict transfigured with the glory which he would unquestionably win... the battle was a sore one, and the victory is anything but secure" (117).

This quote describes the conflict that faces Dimmesdale. This is both the conflict of his sickness and a conflict with Chillingworth. His sickness is a direct result of the guilt he feels from his sin. Chillingworth will soon realize this fact and begin to take his slow, torturous revenge on him. Dimmesdale is now being hurt by two things, which are his guilt and Chillingworth. This quote says that he will emerge victorious, but it will be a long and hard fight. One way he may be able to emerge the victor is, if he confesses to his sin, rather then letting Chillingworth find out.

Will he emerge victorious from Chillingworth, or his guilt, and why do the people of the town expect him to be the victor?

Scarlet Letter 4: 91-107

1) "But it was a remarkable attribute of this garb, and, indeed, of the child's whole appearance, that it irresistibly, and inevitably reminded the beholder of the token which Hester Prynne was doomed to wear upon her bosom" (93).

Pearl reminds Hester of the scarlet letter. This is because Hester made her a beautiful robe, similar to how she made the scarlet letter beautiful. Pearl is the sin of the letter in embodied in flesh. Every moment Hester is reminded of the letter, even her own daughter is a symbol of it, and it gives her unbearable pain. Pearl also often points at the letter evilly, and is a constant reminder of her sin. Hester will live with this pain from Pearl because she seeks redemption. 

Will Pearl be as truly evil as Hester suspects her to be?

2) "She is my happiness!—she is my torture, none the less! Pearl keeps me here in life! Pearl punishes me too! See ye not, she is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and so endowed with a million-fold the power of retribution for my sin? Ye shall not take her! I will die first!" (103).

Hester refuses to give Pearl up. She says that Pearl is what gives her happiness, but also punishes her. She claims that Pearl is more powerful then the scarlet letter because she is alive. Hester will not give Pearl up even though she seems to be evil and punishes her. This is because Hester believes that  every bad thing that happens to her is a consequence of her sin, which she much suffer through in  order to receive redemption. She says she will die without Pearl because she needs Pearl to be redeemed.

Will Pearl be taken away?

Scarlet Letter 3: 72-91

1) "Day after day she looked fearfully into the child's expanding nature, ever dreading to detect some dark and wild peculiarity, that should correspond with the guiltiness to which she owed her being" (82).

This quote shows how Hester views her child. She fears that the child will turn out to be evil because of the sin she has committed. Hester names her daughter Pearl to show that she is a 'treasure', and the only good thing in her life, but Pearl displays odd characteristics. She has no friends, and the other children in the village ostracize her. The first thing that Pearl recognized when she was born was not her mother's smile, but rather the scarlet letter, which is why Hester expects her to be a demon. Everyone judges Hester for the scarlet letter, even her own daughter. Pearl's odd behavior shows that she may be cursed by her mother's sin.

Is Pearl really a demon?

2) "But, wether from pride or resignation, or a feeling that her penance might best be wrought out by this unutterable pain, she resisted the impulse, and sat erect, pale as death, looking sadly into Pearl's wild eyes" (89).

This quote describes what Hester is feeling while Pearl throws weeds at the scarlet letter. Hester resists the urge to cover it, and lets Pearl continue. She also does this throughout town. She never covers the letter, even though she feels terrible when people look at it and judge her because of it. She cannot find one ally in the entire town. Hester makes the choice to never cover the letter because she believes she deserves this punishment as a part of her penance. This issue of penance also comes up when Hester decides to not run away back to Europe. She thinks that his whole situation is part of her redemption, so, she will not run away, or cover the letter. She also accepts Pearl's evil nature as part of her penance.

Will Hester be redeemed herself by accepting all the bad things that happen to her?

Scarlet Letter 2: 56-72

1) "Truly Friend; and methinks it must gladden your heart [...] to find yourself, at length, in a land where iniquity is searched out, and punished in the sight of rulers and people, as here in our godly New England" (58).

This quote relates to the idea of religion in the colonial society. This man admires the fact that sinners are sought out and publicly punished in New England. This shows that the town takes religious offenses very seriously and wishes to torment all who commit them. This is very similar to the colony of Salem in "The Crucible". He also uses the word 'godly' to describe this method of persecuting sinners. This shows that the community believes that this method is what God intended. This is how Salem was lead into its downfall. The government thought they were doing God's will, but they were actually misguided by evil.

Will this society view themselves as doing the work of God by punishing sinners, like in Salem?

2) "What should ail me, to harm this misbegotten and miserable babe? The medicine is potent for good; and were it my child,—yea, mine own, as well as thine!—I could do no better for it"

Chillingworth, the wise and strange physician, says this to Hester after she refuses to give her child the medicine he offers. He calls the child miserable, because it is a symbol of her sin. Both the child and the scarlet letter symbolize her sin, and yet these do not appear as negative or ugly things. She made the scarlet letter beautiful, and her child is innocent, so they do not seem like reasonable symbols of evil. Lots of the citizens are jealous of her beauty, and enraged at the way she crafted the scarlet letter. They expect her to be devastated, but she is beautiful along with the symbols of her sin.

Will Hester's child be cursed because of what she has done?

Scarlet Letter 1: 45-56

1) "In either case, there was very much the same solemnity  of demeanor on the part of the spectators, as befitted a people amongst whom religion and law were almost identical, and in whose character both were so thoroughly interfused, that the mildest and the severest acts of public discipline were alike made vulnerable and awful" (47).

This quote shows that the colony is a theocracy because religion and law were closely connected. This is exactly the same as Salem in "The Crucible", which also had a government that relied on the religious beliefs of citizens. This also relates to how the society influences the individual. If the society's government was based upon certain religious beliefs, then all of the citizens would be pressured to follow those beliefs. Anyone who may have had different religious beliefs would be looked down on based upon the government standards. It also states that disciple was made public and awful no matter how trivial. This is a very strict, overly religious colony, much like Salem.

Will all of the citizens fall into chaos because of this theocracy, like in Salem?

2) "Could it be true? She clutched so fiercely to her breast, that it sent forth a cry; she turned her eyes downward at the scarlet letter, and even touched it with her finger, to assure herself that the infant and the shame were real. Yes!—these were her realities,—all else had vanished!" (56).

This quote occurs after Hester relives many memories from the past. She begins to daydream when she is put up in front of the town for ridicule. She then must remind herself that it is all real. This may show that she tries to live in the past, and not think about the mistakes she has made. In her memories, she thinks of native village, which is in England, and of her parents. Her mother has passed away. She also remembers coming to a colonial for a new life.

Does she deal with all hard situations by thinking about the past?

Second Crucible Essay

Proctor’s Redemption

            How would it feel to suffer with your sins without reconciliation for your entire life? This is exactly how John Proctor feels in “The Crucible”. This is because in the theocracy of Salem there was “no ritual for the washing away of sins” (Miller 20). Proctor commits the deplorable sin of adultery and feels mortified with this mistake. He then goes about seeking redemption, through forgiveness of this sin. He first confesses to his wife, hoping for mercy, but is met only with suspicion. He then confesses to the entire town, and is condemned to death. Finally, he realizes that he must first seek forgiveness from God in order for him to feel truly forgiven.

            After Proctor sins he feels unbearable guilt, so he attempts to confess to his wife, Elizabeth, to relieve himself. Unfortunately this does not go as he expected. His confession only leads Elizabeth to aroused suspicion of lechery, and a judgmental attitude. It is impossible for her to truly forgive him because she was directly harmed by his sin. He is constantly reminded of her distrust toward him with her foul comments and her cold, unloving attitude. Proctor’s sin distances him from Elizabeth, and their love is no longer the same. His miserable situation is demonstrated when he says, “I cannot speak but I am doubted, every moment judged for lies, as though I come into a court when I come into this house!” (55). He feels Elizabeth judges him as if he is in court. When Proctor does go to the court, he is further judged, and is still unforgiven.

            In an attempt to set the situation right and still searching for absolution, Proctor confesses his sin to the court. This was a very difficult thing for Proctor to do, but it was necessary for him to try and stop the evil rampage of Abigail that was also a result of his sin. It was nearly impossible for him to confess in front of the court because it would ruin his name and cause him to be accused. Also, Proctor saw the negative results that confessing to Elizabeth brought, so he was even more reluctant to admit to his sin in front of the entire court. However, Proctor’s main goal was still to receive forgiveness, so he confesses despite the consequences. Once he musters the strength to confess, things go horribly wrong and Proctor is condemned to death. The court, like Elizabeth, was unable to offer Proctor his desperately sought after redemption. This is because the court was under the control of Abigail, an evil girl, who they perceived to be doing the work of God. Both times Proctor tries to confess, it is impossible for him to accomplish his goal of receiving forgiveness because he has not yet realized that he can only feel true redemption from God.

            Proctor is not redeemed until he seeks forgiveness from God. After he is condemned to die, he cannot believe that things were not set right even after he confessed to the whole town. Proctor is infuriated because he lived by his motto from the Bible, which stated, “Do that which is good, and no harm shall come to thee” (95). He is doing the right thing by confessing, but he is still being harmed, so Proctor cannot comprehend the situation. This disbelief at the hopelessness of his situation is shown when he says, “God is dead!” (119). He thinks that God is dead because he cannot receive forgiveness from anyone. It is only at the end of the play does he realize that he must seek forgiveness from God and not others. The words of the other characters help him to understand this.

            On the day of Proctor’s execution, he still does not feel redeemed, but a series of events takes place that changes this. First, Danforth and Hale try to convince Proctor to confess, and they let Elizabeth speak with him. Elizabeth tells him that, “I cannot judge you, John, I cannot!” (138).  At that moment Proctor realizes that only God can offer true forgiveness when he says, “Then who will judge me? Suddenly clasping his hands: God in Heaven who is John Proctor, what is John Proctor?” (138). This is his first time he mentions God as his judge, and Elizabeth helps him to understand this. Then, John also sees Rebecca’s disappointment in him when she sees he is about to sign the false confession. Finally, when Proctor rips up the confession, and Hale says that he cannot hang, Proctor responds, “I can. And there’s your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor” (144). At that very moment Proctor was able to forgive himself. This is because Elizabeth and Rebecca helped him to realize the God is the only judge. By understanding this, and offering his sin up to God, Proctor was able to forgive himself and die a redeemed man.

            Proctor’s desperate search for redemption could only conclude when he let God and not others judge him. Elizabeth could not forgive him because she was hurt by his sin. The town could not forgive him because Abigail was controlling it. Only God was able to forgive Proctor, and he only realizes this with help From Elizabeth and Rebecca. After he places his sin in God’s judgment, he is able to finally forgive himself and is redeemed. Once he is finally absolved from his sin, he gains the courage to die for it, and as a martyr, and he does.

First Crucible Essay

It’s All Proctor’s Fault

            Adultery is one of the greatest sins that can be committed by a man. In the play “The Crucible” which takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in the year 1692, one man commits the terrible sin of adultery, which leads the rest of the play to a tragic descent into chaos. This man is John Proctor. He has an affair with Abigail Williams behind his wife’s back. This original sin in the play causes many others. Proctor then has a chance to fix the situation by confessing to this sin at the right time, but fails to do this. John Proctor is most to blame for all of the events in Salem because he commits the initial sin that starts a chain of evil, he is the one that unleashes the sinister being that is Abigail Williams on the rest on Salem, and he fails to confess this sin at the right moment.

            If it were not for Proctor’s affair with Abigail the plot of the entire play would not have taken place. If this affair did not happen then John’s wife, Elizabeth would not have kicked Abigail out of the house and she would not have spread rumors about her. Thus, Abigail would not be the enraged, infatuated, psychotic, and purely evil character she is throughout the play. If Abigail were not kicked out of the house then she would not seek revenge on Elizabeth through witchcraft. There would be no dancing or drinking of potions in the woods. Parris would not have discovered them, and Hale would not even need to enter the play. Without the original sin of adultery, witchcraft hysteria does not break out in Salem.

            It could be argued that it takes two people to commit adultery, and that Abigail is just as much to blame as Proctor, however this is not the case. Abigail’s evil was created, sustained, and unleashed by Proctor through his sin of adultery. Abigail was a mere servant in Proctor’s house, while Proctor was the man of the house, and clearly a more respected and revered individual in the town. Proctor and Abigail both committed the sin together, but Proctor is more to blame because he is expected by other citizens in Salem to be a better person. This can be seen when Proctor finally confesses his sin of adultery, the court questions him and is shocked, but they do not blame Abigail nearly as much as they blame him. Proctor is the one that inspires Abigail to become the evil character that she is. This is seen when she discusses their relationship: “I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart! I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men!” (Miller 24). After their affair Abigail claims she realizes that Salem is fake. She was raised all her life in an environment ruled by her religion. Now that she sees a man that sins, she makes a self-realization that it is all pretend, and that everyone in the town is a hypocrite. This is not true; it is only Proctor who is the sinning hypocrite. John Proctor is the one that puts this idea in her head, and she then releases her vengeful wrath upon the town. Not only did Proctor instill this feeling in Abigail, but also he sustained it in her mind by not confessing his sin.

            Proctor had the opportunity to confess to his sin much earlier then he actually did confess. Proctor did not want to confess because he did not want to ruin his name or hurt his own pride. This character flaw leads to the death of many innocent people. Had the court known this information much earlier they would have scrutinized Abigail’s accusations more. All because Proctor does not want to hurt his own pride, innocent people had to die. Not only did Proctor make the initial mistake of committing adultery, but when he has another chance to set the situation right by confessing, he passes up that opportunity until it is too late, all for the sake of his own pride.

            If the blame was to be pinned on one person in “The Crucible” it should be Proctor. This is because he commits the initial sin of adultery that begins the series of evil events, he is the one that unleashes the pure evil in Abigail Williams on the rest on Salem, and he fails to confess this sin at the right moment. When Proctor has his affair with Abigail he instills in her the hatred she had for Salem. After the affair, she believes the rest of the town is full of hypocrites, Lastly, Proctor could have confessed at any time to the whole town what happened, but he could not because of his self-pride. He made two crucial decisions that led to the events in Salem. In either of which he could have made the right decision, and the events would have turned out better. Proctor tries to live off his own motto from the Bible: “Do that which is good, and no harm shall come to thee” (95). This motto fails him, though, because he has a flawed character. He himself even realizes at the end that he is to blame: “My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing’s spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten wrong before” (136). Proctor says this just as he is about the sign the confession. He says that he has sinned long a go, alluding to the adultery, and so he might as well sin now. This just shows how flawed of a character he is, and if it was not for his poor decisions and failure to comply with those bad decisions, the events of the play could have turned out better.

Letter 3: From Elizabeth to John after he is arrested.

My Dearest John,

            I feel terrible for all the events that have happened in these past few months. I never thought it would come to this. I am eternally sorry for what I did in court that day. You must understand that I did not tell the truth because I love and respect you. I did not want to ruin your reputation. I had no idea that you already confessed to the court. It is entirely my fault that you are imprisoned now. Had I told the truth, Abigail would be ruined and the town would be set free.

            John I must be truthful with you. Even though you confessed your affair with Abigail to me I never fully forgave you. I always had suspicion after that, and because of this our love suffered. I feel that it is my fault. I must have done something wrong. I was the one who drove you away, and into your sin. I now truly forgive you.

            When the horrible day of your execution comes, do what you believe is right. You have my forgiveness no matter what you do. Remember that there is no one in this town that can judge you. God is and has always been the only judge. I will love you no matter what happens. Follow your heart.

Love,

Elizabeth

 

Letter 2: From Abigail to Proctor while he is in jail.

Dear John,

            This was never what I intended. I never wished to get you mixed up in this matter. Please do not misunderstand me! I love you John, and I always will. You know that you love me too. You can deny it no longer. You have hoped all along that I succeed in ridding you of your wife so that we may not be hindered by anything in our love. I do not understand why you cannot admit your love for me to yourself. Do not regret what you have done, rejoice in it! It was you who showed me how fake this place is. You broke through the illusion of all the “Christian” men and women living their supposed holy lives. I have been taught to be holy all my life, but now I realize that everything is not as it seems. This town is all full of hypocrites, and it was you who taught me this. You set me free John, and I will never let you go.

            I have a plan. John, we can escape together! I am going to break into my uncle’s strongbox and take his money. We will be able to board a ship in Boston and be free. We will no longer have to be trapped in this evil town. This is a crazy and wild place, and I only wish to be with you. Let us run away together. We can put all of this behind us and start anew. Please come with me, I only did all of this for the sake of our love.

Love,

Abby

Letter 1: From Hale to Danforth after Proctor is accused and Hale quits the court.

Dear Danforth,

            I fear the safety of this village is at risk more then ever before. You have made a grave mistake in believing the lies told by the children. The fate of many innocent lives now rests in your hands, and I regret putting my faith in your court. I came to Salem eager to help rid it of witchcraft, and reclaim this town for God. I realize that I have succeeded at neither of these. I feel that I am at fault for the fate of John Proctor and his wife. I assumed that the court would bring justice to Salem, yet it has only brought tyranny. These foolish children control your mind, Danforth, and therefore they control the entire town.

            It is my greatest hope that God looks with mercy upon your soul, knowing that you killed innocent men and women. Also, you worsen the situation with concern for your own reputation. You refuse to free those who even you know to be innocent. John Proctor is no evil man. There will be chaos in the town on the day of his execution. If you set him free your reputation will be tarnished because the citizens would think it unfair to those innocent lives you have already taken. The town of Salem is caught in the chaos of a girl who has always seemed false to me, and she has tricked us all.

            It is my hope, and it should be yours too, that Proctor will confess, because I know you have not the courage to set him free. If you prove me wrong in this matter by allowing for his freedom, I will be most pleased. Even if his confession is a lie let us hope that God damns a liar less then one who throws their life away for pride. We both have failed Danforth. God is the only judge now.

Sincerely,

Rev. Hale