Examples Of Guilt In The Crucible

Out of all the emotions humans experience, guilt is one of the least pleasant. Nearly everyone has experienced it in some way or form. Often times, it is because of minor mistakes like forgetting to take out the trash. Other times it can be more serious such as seriously injuring a friend or family member. Either way, that guilt gnaws at one’s inside, chipping away at their sanity bit by bit. However, even though guilt is painful, it isn’t always a negative thing. On occasion, a guilty heart has motivated one to mend their ways and confess to whatever they have done wrong. The literary works “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Arthur Miller’s“The Crucible” are no different in this matter. Each story shows the different ways that

Yet, despite the heavy burden she has to bear, she acts more civil than most of the characters do in the entirety of “The Scarlet Letter”. Instead of her guilt and shame tearing her down, she chose to rise above it as seen in this quote; “she [Hester] repelled him, by an action marked with natural dignity and force of character, stepped into the open air, as if by her own free will.” (50 Hawthorne) No doubt at this time, Hester’s heart is filled with pain and worry. After all, these were people she has known for some time and perhaps has even befriended. She likely hated them seeing her in such a state. Yet, did so with her head held high. The quote also mentions that it is a “force of character”. This particular wording denotes that Hester’s strength is internal and that it is by no means easy, as she has to coerce herself into acting in such a way. Indeed, her guilt motivated her to become a stronger person, despite the fact that her sinful burden is an eternal one. (73 Hawthorne) Hester accepted her decision and all the consequences that came with it going as far to say “here..had been the scene of her guilt, and here should be the scene of her earthly punishment.” (74 Hawthorne) Her guilt also motivated her to make the best of her situation by doing what she can. “[She] incurred no

She too is from Arthur Miller’s play “The Crucible”. Her pangs of conscience caused her to admit her wrongs and make peace with her husband before he died. The first way, Elizabeth demonstrates how deep her guilt is, is seen during the portion of the story where John accuses Abigail of being a whore. When Elizabeth is brought in, she is asked simply by Judge Danforth “is your husband a lecher?” This is quite the test. Did she forgive her husband for his sins and choose to save him, or let him burn for what she knew to be true? Elizabeth replies “No, sir.” (Act 4 Miller) Up to this point, Elizabeth has never lied as seen in Act 1. Yet, her guilt motivated her to betray her principles in order to save her husband. Another way her heavy heart affects her is by causing her to admit her own fault in John’s adultery. This alone is strange given the fact that she is the most innocent woman in the entire play. Still, she admits her wrong. “I have read my heart these three months, John. I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.” Elizabeth’s guilt motivated her to think about all that has happened and to have the humility to admit her part in the end result as seen in this excerpt “John, I counted myself so plain, so poorly made, that no honest love could come to me!... It were a cold house I kept.” For the first time, she tells John how she truly feels about herself in