Comparing The Crucible And The World On The Turtle's Back

Fluctuations in literature style, purpose, and complexity have been rapidly changing since their emergence. Through documentation of past works, we can truly see the progression of literary techniques and motifs. The change progresses from myths, to plays, to poems, with the focus changing from a higher power, to the power within one’s self. Though the examination the works The World on the Turtle’s Back, an oral tradition passed down through the Iroquois, The Crucible a play by Arthur Miller, and finally I Sit and Look Out by Walt Whitman, we will delve deeper into the literary style, purpose of the writing, and the emphasis on religion. One of the first examples of literature, The World on the Turtle’s Back is found in the 1600s. Around

This play was written in 1953 but is based in 1692-1693. Taking place in Salem, Massachusetts, the Salem witch trials were the most remarkable epidemic in Puritan times. Though this play was based on the Puritan religion and their emphasis on God, Arthur Miller’s intended purpose was to use the Salem witch trials in comparison to the Red Scare of his time. In both situations, a group is targeting individuals for the “betterment” of the society, and imposing their views onto everyone. This play is a more complex writing because of the underlying meaning and the vernacular used to portray characters. The integrity of the main characters radiates through. The group mentality focuses on all against one; however, as time passes, the focus changes from all against one to one against all. The main characters prove it is possible to think for one’s self and stray away from the coterie. This is only the catalyst for the thought of

Walt Whitman, a revered poet for his individualistic beliefs, wrote a poem titled I Sit and Look Out. This poem reflects the theory of individualism in many ways. One example is Walt Whitman’s unique writing style. Many referred to Whitman’s work as vulgar due to the fact he was a free verse poet who broke away from the societal molds and wrote about everyday life. In his iconic poem I Sit and Look Out, he draws attention to those who are mediocre. He does not focus on a group, but rather just a single person at a time. His motivation is not on the higher power God, but rather the intense power within one’s self. Walt Whitman has changed the question from “How can I better society?,” to “How can I better