Hester Prynne And John Proctor Analysis

Hester Prynne and John Proctor were very similar in certain aspects, but when you dig deeper into their lives you find that they differed greatly. They both lived in the Puritan settlement of Salem, Massachusetts. Many deeds that were committed, such as adultery, were viewed as a sin and offenders were punished. Also, during this time period the Salem Witch Trials condemned people for participating in witchcraft. This was the cause of Proctor’s suffering. The punishment was hanging. Hester and John both committed adultery. Hester was shamed and was ostracized. Proctor’s sin was not revealed until Act 3 of “The Crucible.” Hester and Proctor suffered from their punishments. Hester was shamed and left to fend and provide for herself and her daughter alone. Proctor suffered a much greater loss than Hester, as he lost friends and his

The scarlet letter ‘A’ did not stand for “adultery” anymore. It stood for “able.” “The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her, —so much power to do, and power to sympathize, —that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength.” (Ch. 13, pg 107) She had gained respect for having raised her child as a well behaved young girl, and having provided for the both of them with an honest living as a seamstress, all the while being cut off from the rest of society. Hester was allowed to assimilate back into the community. John proctor was only given one chance to save himself and his wife, and that chance forced him to fall out of God’s good graces by lying. John Proctor fancied death over the guilt of being a sinner, and was content with knowing that his refusal to confess to witchcraft would preserve the good that he believed was still in him. Elizabeth Proctor - “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him.” The Crucible Act