Free Crucible Essays: Puritan Society In Colonial America

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Puritan Society in Colonial America
Puritan society in colonial America was a made up of a strict community whom blamed all evil deeds and wrong doings on on the devil or witchcraft and condemned drama, dancing, and music. “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller and “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne are set in Puritan society of colonial America and depict the society in a harsh sense. “The Crucible” is the story of witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts while “The Scarlet Letter” tells the story of a woman named Hester Prynne who is shamed after committing a crime. Both stories show how Puritan society is and the expectations it puts on its citizens. Based on research of Puritan society in colonial America and reading both “The Crucible” by Arthur …show more content…

Betty, a young female citizen had fallen ill after spending time in the woods dancing with other girls, like Abigail. When Abigail confessed to the dancing, it shocked members of her community. Through the citizens being shocked about the dancing and quickly saying it was in secret, it is shown that the community is strict because something as harmless as dancing should be kept hidden. Secondly, “The Crucible” showed how Puritan society expected its citizens to be honorable through showing no emotion. At the end of the story, Proctor confessed to court, but refused to confess to the town, upsetting his wife whom he told to show honor. “Elizabeth, in a burst of terror, rushes to him and weeps against his hand. Give them no tear! Tears pleasure them! Show honor now, show a stony heart and sink them with it!” (Miller 144). Elizabeth is distressed at her husband’s choice, but being upset in front of authority is a sign of weakness. Puritan society expects its members to be honorable hence why Proctor asks his wife to show a stony heart. Similarly, “The Scarlet Letter” makes Puritan society out to be harsh and expects its citizens to be

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