Examples Of Modernism In The Crucible

Modernism can be broken down into two groups of ethics. Theological ethics, which defines virtuous behavior and wrong behavior from a Christian perspective, and humanistic ethics, which emphasizes value and agency of human beings, whether individual or collectively. In all three texts, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” “The Crucible,” and “The Scarlet Letter,” these ethics are tested in more ways than one. In “The Crucible,” the people of Salem, Massachusetts, seem to forget their religious values as they sin over and over right in front of God’s eyes. “Sinner in the Hands of an Angry God,” makes note of the harsh consequences that will come if you forget the values of your religion and sin against Him. “The Scarlet Letter” displays an example of sin and portrays the repercussions of Hester Prynne’s scandal.

In Arthur Miller's, “The Crucible,” the people in the small village of Salem, Massachusetts, are accusing one another of witchcraft. As the trials commence, the faith of the settlers becomes superficial. It becomes clear that the settlers only concern is how the people of the village perceive them, even though they are aware

that God knows the truth. In Jonathan Edwards, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” he tells of the Puritan people and how they are becoming corrupt and less devoted to the church. Edwards writes about the types of unfaithful Puritan people in “The Crucible” and formulates a sermon on how deplorable Hell is in hopes of scaring them back into being faithful Puritans again. When it came to faith, the Puritan people were very corrupt and theological ethics were questioned.
Both “The Crucible” and “The Scarlet Letter,” depict the theme of adultery. Early on we know that John Proctor had an affair with Abigail Williams. And, as the trials progress and the “afflicted” girls were keeping up on their shenanigans, John finally succumbs to letting the devil take him over. He verbally admits his sins and is not afraid to be hung because he knows he still a respectable human being for admitting to his own wrong doings. However, in “The Scarlet Letter,” after a long fought self-battle, Reverend Dimmesdale finally confesses to adultery in front of all of Boston. But, is this really an example of true humanistic values? Dimmesdale confesses right before he died because he was too scared to do so and live with the whole town shaming him. Meanwhile, John Proctor truly portrays these humanistic ethics because he confesses out of love for his wife, even though she believes she is at fault, and is sentenced to be hung.
Jonathan Edwards quite clearly depicts the severity of punishment upon the Puritans if they were to sin against their God.

This is evident in “The Scarlet Letter” after Hester Prynne is punished with the crime of adultery. Hester is bound to wear a letter “A” on her chest everywhere she goes, which is a cruel and unusual punishment. She is ordered to stand in front of the townspeople where she is profusely interrogated and shunned. Not only does she face name-calling, but her daughter Pearl does as well. Hester’s theological and humanistic ethics are tested throughout the novel. She could have ran away to another village and started over, but instead she faces her punishment and never retaliates against the church. She, in turn, helps the poor, keeps to herself, and does all she can for the well-being of her little

Pearl.
In the end, just like Jonathan Edwards stated in “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” your actions will have consequences if you displease God. In “The Crucible” and “The Scarlet Letter,” faith and ethics were questioned, unfollowed, and led to harsh consequences for most characters. Back in the days of Puritanism, ethics played a very important role in faith, but were often broken by many of the Puritans.