Compare And Contrast Scarlet Letter Vs Crucible

Comparison and contrast is the way people notice similarities and differences between different subjects, ideas, texts, or objects. The process of comparison and contrast in literature is used to help readers really learn to connect texts and look for the little details that help identify them for what they are. Students especially use this method to help study and understand the texts. In the history of American literature, Scarlet Letter and Crucible can be compared and contrasted in many different ways with multiple ideas defining them. Throughout Scarlet Letter and Crucible one major similarity is the time setting. Both appear to have occurred in the early settling of the American colonies, particularly Massachusetts. “Hester Prynne,

In Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne commits adultery with Reverend Dimmesdale. From this union, a child is born, and so the story revolves around how the child grows up, and the conflicts Hester faces because of her actions. “With these words she advanced to the margin of the brook, took up the scarlet letter, and fastened it again into her bosom… Hester next gathered up the heavy tresses of her hair and confined them beneath her cap. As if there were a withering spell in the sad letter, her beauty, the warmth and richness of her womanhood, departed like fading sunshine, and a gray shadow seemed to fall across her.” (Ch. 6, paragraph 25) Hester had just put on her scarlet letter, after Pearl wouldn’t come to her without it. The letter became a part of her. The problem that Proctor faces due to his faults is the Salem witch trials that ensue. “She thinks to dance with me on my wife’s grave! And well she might, for I thought of her softly. God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whore’s vengeance, and you must see it…” (pg. 1206, paragraph 17) said John Proctor, explaining why Abigail would attempt to have Elizabeth hanged. After the dancing, the girls went into a frenzy accusing people of witchcraft, and then Elizabeth Proctor was pulled in, causing a huge mess between

Proctor deals with an external problem, “I’d have you see some honesty in it. Let them that never lied die now to keep their souls. It is a pretense for me, a vanity that will not blind God nor keep my children out of the wind.” He is dealing with the problem of whether to confess to witchcraft and live, or not, and be hung publicly; all of this come about over his affair with Abigail. Dimmesdale deals with the internal struggle of knowing that he has committed a sin, but not wanting to tell everyone. “While thus suffering under bodily disease, and gnawed and tortured by some black trouble of the soul, and given over to the machinations of his deadliest enemy, the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale had achieved a brilliant popularity in his sacred office.” (Ch. 11, paragraph 4) This explains that Dimmesdale was suffering, not only physically, but mentally, due to his inability to come out with his secret of adultery. Best Essays Ever, states that, “Both men were highly respected in their towns and had to conceal their affairs. Nonetheless, Proctor struggles to save his good name and reputation, even if the price for saving it is his life. Dimmesdale on the other hand also suffers a moral dilemma, caused by inability to openly express their devotion, but ultimately must confess.” These two characters definitely had to deal with their similar problems,