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Comparing Sin In The Scarlet Letter And The Crucible By Arthur Miller

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In both “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller, there is an overarching motif of sin and the effects that sin has on the characters and the prose itself. Throughout both pieces of literature, the effects of sin are a large driving force that both progress and enhance the plot. In order to attain a deeper insight of the role of sin in both pieces of literature, it is necessary for the reader to not only look at the sins of the characters, but also look at the background and context of both prose, the treatment of the characters due to their sins, and the overall character development throughout the story. While the focal point of this essay will be to compare and contrast the role of sin in both prose, it is necessary to first look at the backgrounds and …show more content…

This is exemplified by Hester Prynn’s gradual strengthening of herself, and the ways that she tries to protect Pearl from the sins that she herself has committed. It is also shown by Proctor’s feeling of guilt by committing adultery with Abigail, and his attempt to relieve his own guilt by throwing blame onto her, and then eventually deciding to confess to something he did not commit in order to save his wife. While the characters in both prose commit similar sins, it is interesting to investigate the differing ways by which their attitudes and motives develop. Sin plays a major role in both “The Scarlet Letter” and “The Crucible.” The motif drives the plot and lets the reader analyze the developments that occur throughout both pieces of literature. The similarities and differences of the sins committed in both prose also allow the readers to see how differently the sin played a role in the treatment and development of the

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