Over the past few weeks, we have been learning that Puritans lived in very strict societies where politics, law, and religions were one thing. From The Crucible and The Scarlet Letter , we have learned that Puritans were quick to act harshly on "crimes" committed within their society due to their belief that a single act could throw them out of God's favor. I think that this in part was due to the fact that Puritans thought the "impurities" of others around them and in their community could put them at risk of not going to Heaven if the "crime" was not acted upon quickly, and as severely as possible. Puritans were also quick to judge people on their crimes, and this judgement usually stuck with them for the rest of their lives.
This swiftness in judging other peoples can be seen in modern day throughout the world, even after these people have served time for their crimes. If you get arrested once during your life, later on when you're looking for a job, it is highly unlikely that employers or colleges will even glance at your application after seeing that you've been arrested. Employers and college administrators are not the only ones quick to judge you for committing a crime early in life. Your family members and friends may never look at you the same, and it is extremely difficult for these individuals to gain back trust and love from family and friends.
Puritans may not really exist today, but people still are quick to judge others based on past experiences just like the Puritan societies.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
John Proctor: Hero or Stooge
A stooge is "a person who serves merely to support or assist others particularly in doing unpleasant work." A hero is "a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities."
I feel that John Proctor in my eyes is more a of a hero than a stooge for the fact that he displays many "noble qualities." One noble quality that Proctor displays courage in going to the court house and going against his wife's conviction of witchcraft. Courage can also be seen when Proctor refuses Danforth's deal for his wife's safety until she gives birth to her child in order to try and help his friends get their innocent wives released from jail and being hung. When Proctor refuses Danforth's deal, he also has the possibility of being hung for going "against" the court, showing that Proctor knows the risks, and is willing to do the right thing. Another noble quality is humility, and John Proctor shows this when he risks his face in the village by announcing to Danforth that he had an affair with Abigail. This can be seen on page 1333 when Proctor says, "I have known her, sir. I have known her." In my eyes, Proctor is a hero.
On the flip side, many in Salem probably feel that Proctor is actually a stooge. My reasoning for this is that most probably feel that Abigail's lies are the truth. Danforth for sure feels that Proctor is a stooge in that he goes against his authority, and "challenges" the court. Mr. Parris also feels that Proctor is a stooge because he thinks Proctor is trying to undermine his authority in the village, and start a revolution against his leadership.
Overall, I feel that Proctor is a hero, and that he tried to do the right thing, even if it meant his death.
I feel that John Proctor in my eyes is more a of a hero than a stooge for the fact that he displays many "noble qualities." One noble quality that Proctor displays courage in going to the court house and going against his wife's conviction of witchcraft. Courage can also be seen when Proctor refuses Danforth's deal for his wife's safety until she gives birth to her child in order to try and help his friends get their innocent wives released from jail and being hung. When Proctor refuses Danforth's deal, he also has the possibility of being hung for going "against" the court, showing that Proctor knows the risks, and is willing to do the right thing. Another noble quality is humility, and John Proctor shows this when he risks his face in the village by announcing to Danforth that he had an affair with Abigail. This can be seen on page 1333 when Proctor says, "I have known her, sir. I have known her." In my eyes, Proctor is a hero.
On the flip side, many in Salem probably feel that Proctor is actually a stooge. My reasoning for this is that most probably feel that Abigail's lies are the truth. Danforth for sure feels that Proctor is a stooge in that he goes against his authority, and "challenges" the court. Mr. Parris also feels that Proctor is a stooge because he thinks Proctor is trying to undermine his authority in the village, and start a revolution against his leadership.
Overall, I feel that Proctor is a hero, and that he tried to do the right thing, even if it meant his death.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
"Arrivals....There Goes the Neighborhood"
Over the past couple of weeks, we've been reading and going over stories that have to do with Native Americans and the effects that European explorers had on them surrounding this idea. These stories include "Museum Indians", "A Journey Through Texas", "History Of Virginia", "Plymouth Plantation", and Columbus's Journal. As Europeans began arriving in American during 1492, they learned that another group of peoples was already living there, the Native Americans.
When the Europeans first arrived in America, they treated the Indians like they were savages. Since Indians believes in many spirits, and were not monotheistic, they were viewed as primitive. This can be seen in Columbus's journal and the way that he referred to them as "barbarians." They treated Native Americans like this because they were a thing from the Europeans past, and thus not worthy to be their "neighbors." Native Americans only used what was needed, while Europeans went out of their way to make the most profit. The Europeans also tried to changed the Indians' beliefs because they felt that it was their duty to the God, but as seen in the stories and writings that we read, Native Americans didn't bend, making Europeans feel even more so that Indians were nothing more than "savages", and eventually escalating to the point where Europeans began to kill Indians over land and wealth.
Native Americans really never stood a chance against the European spread and the European belief in "manifest destiny" due to their advanced technology, such as guns, and their was nothing they could do to stop the spread of Europeans due to their greed of wealth. Overall, I feel that while the European settlers treatment was horrifying, it was a necessary evil in making the world is is today, and I feel that it is a great world.
When the Europeans first arrived in America, they treated the Indians like they were savages. Since Indians believes in many spirits, and were not monotheistic, they were viewed as primitive. This can be seen in Columbus's journal and the way that he referred to them as "barbarians." They treated Native Americans like this because they were a thing from the Europeans past, and thus not worthy to be their "neighbors." Native Americans only used what was needed, while Europeans went out of their way to make the most profit. The Europeans also tried to changed the Indians' beliefs because they felt that it was their duty to the God, but as seen in the stories and writings that we read, Native Americans didn't bend, making Europeans feel even more so that Indians were nothing more than "savages", and eventually escalating to the point where Europeans began to kill Indians over land and wealth.
Native Americans really never stood a chance against the European spread and the European belief in "manifest destiny" due to their advanced technology, such as guns, and their was nothing they could do to stop the spread of Europeans due to their greed of wealth. Overall, I feel that while the European settlers treatment was horrifying, it was a necessary evil in making the world is is today, and I feel that it is a great world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)