Differences And Similarities Between The Crucible And Jackie Jackson

Throughout time, there have always been people who do not seem to fit in the rest of society, and they are treated as outcasts, because of their different characteristics or mindsets. In many cases they are condemned and punished by society for their differences. Hester Prynne from the Scarlet Letter, John Proctor from The Crucible, and Jackie Robinson all were the odd-ones-out in their society. Throughout their lives, John, Hester, and Robinson were separated by great physical and social barriers, which led to great hardships, but through their ordeals they were able to show where their societies went wrong. All three are set apart because of their uniqueness in their lives, both physically and socially. Hester commits adultery and as a result

She is shunned by everyone in the town from all standings; high-class men and women to young children and even strangers harassed her. Wherever she was she was immediately singled out and used as a lesson of what not to do in life (Hawthorne 76-77). John Proctor also lives in a society like Hester’s. He was different because he was a much more logical and rational person then everyone else in the society. His different level of thinking puts him in a situation where he is seen as less religious, but he is also well-respected. The narrator describes him as he first enters the play as being “ the kind of man--powerful of body, even-tempered, and not easily led who cannot refuse support to partisans without drawing their deepest resentment” (Miller 20). The personality he portrays, puts him in a highly respected position in the town, so much so that he is even feared by some. Parris fears Proctor because he sees him as a threat, and because Proctor is very blunt and does not hold back when telling of Parris’ selfishness and his bad church services. Proctor also is able to successfully argue with Putnam, making Putnam fear the fact that Proctor could expose any of his plots to take others land (Miller 24-32)Throughout the witch-trial ordeal that takes place he tried to keep a cool, logical head about it. However, this is seen as odd and even anti-christian

She stays in the town in the face of humiliation, proving how strong of a woman she is. Her treatment changed as time went on as she becomes a more respected person in society. She becomes much more charitable and helps take care of the poor. Even though some people in the society still scorn her, the many years of her life that she spent with her strong resolve and being able to ignore the insults had changed her completely. Not only does she notice the change, but so do the townspeople. The change led to the society change in their view of Hester. She had “so much power to do, and power to sympathie,--that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by it original signification. They said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength” (Hawthorne 146). The ‘A’ on her chest morphs its meaning to represent being able. Robinson, held his tongue for two years, but he could not, like Hester keep quiet any longer. He had to act against the racism and segregation in the MLB and the country. After two years he broke his silence and eventually became a big advocate for equality and desegregation. Like Hester, people changed their view of Robinson, and he was given MVP and batting awards. John, however, faced a worse fate, as he was arrested and hung for witchcraft. It was after the whole trials that people realized that John was right about the whole trial had no truth to