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The central component dictating Puritan life and culture is set heavily upon religion. Even today, the effects of strict Puritan class are seen in literature such as The Crucible by Arthur Miller; along with The Scarlet Letter and “Young Goodman Brown”, both written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The dreary sentiments of the characters depicted in these literary pieces are with vivid portrayal of the flaws seen in a society based on theocracy. These works center on the Puritan society and its ill- contempt for sin, but also branches into corruption or punishment, identity, and constraint, to reassert negative aspects of the religious and social values Puritan culture holds.
In The Crucible demanding Puritan ideology is enforced, as corrupt Salem, Massachusetts goes through the process of purging the town from those ‘criminals’ of witchcraft. From this results unjust punishment that remains hidden by religious notions and pressure from society. Although there is stress that the characters experience the fear of dying, they also claim to want “…the sweet light of God…” (Miller 50), which is one explanation to hide reasons to pit Puritan against Puritan. Years of religious zeal has finally given the inhabitants of Salem an opportunity for vengeance and profit. For instance, Reverend Parris is one who finds inspiration through self-interest as he keeps the flames of fear and contempt alive when trying to salvage his name and position. Parris is aware of his wrongdoings, but is greedy and feels immense pressure to continue his deceit as he tries to convince the court “…not to believe in terrible simple lies…” (Miller 113). Though, the harsh reality of the trials does not end with Parris, as there are others who believe they are correct for condemning neighbors due to just causes, such as Judge Danforth, an innocent man, whose devout nature and need for a good reputation turns into decay that overtly religious Puritan culture has fostered.
Danforth’s inability to distinguish good and evil leads him to persecute more people as he cites the Bible to reinforce that “… witchcraft which is punishable by law and to damn all forebearers…” (Miller 107). Aside from unjust motions taking the Bible literally, Danforth is a man who cares much about the reputation of the court he holds, implying the societal aspects of a Puritan society. In order to uphold this, he cannot fathom the mistake of witchcraft and becomes blind by stubborn beliefs. His need to retain his reputation shows strong association with the correct manners in Puritan society and honor that stays with him to the end when he says, “Because it is my name!…I have given you my soul now leave me my name!” (Miller 150). Reputation is the identity of utmost importance that defines a person in a Puritan setting and the loss of it holds devastating consequences, resulting in mockery amongst the judgmental Puritans.
Furthermore, religion can be seen embedded in the harsh Salem community when Hale asks Proctor, “… I note that you are rarely in the church on Sabbath Day…Will you tell me why you are so absent?” (Miller 64).
The Puritans are critical of minor details in their neighbors’ lives, suggesting the close-knit lifestyle and invasion of privacy. This cold and discipline society stems far from ‘Christian-love’ and is the excuse for fostering hysteria and wretched conviction coming from the town.
Although not in exact year, the Puritan mind-set is still dominant in The Scarlet Letter, set in Boston, Massachusetts. Punishment is seen in many different ways as it is either encouraged by society or due to ferocity for religious redemption. Hester Pyrnne (who is not a Puritan) is molded by society from her punishment to wear the scarlet letter, transforming her to become “…withered by [the] red-hot brand…a woman” (Hawthorne 170), losing a feel for life and masking her feminine side. This proves the effects of how the Puritans’ religious way of life can change those not even in their circle of faith. In a world where solitude and despair traps Hester, society shuns her as a sinner of adultery, but not glanced upon for dignity and knowledge of repentance that she comes to represent.
In a similar state of denial, the religious and devout Arthur Dimmesdale feels a great urging to atone for his secret crime of adultery with Hester. His action leads him to feel hopelessness for the attainment of salvation and his internal struggles prevent him from confessing for seven worn years. The imprint of sin and need to repent plants itself deeply into the minister’s heart, showing that even without the help of society, religious duty reigns the minds’ of people everyday.
The instance of Hester being an outcast from the Puritan community is one statement, but causes the town to deteriorate in the misconception that her self-imprisonment is a step to improvement. Over time Hester’s scarlet letter has come replace the ‘Adultery’ to ‘Able’, and this brand tries to link Hester to a kind person who is “…so strong…with a woman’s strength” (Hawthorne 168). As it is shown, Hester is now integrated with the scarlet letter because it entwines her physical and spiritual being with sin. Truth continues to hold that treatment of the unjust world and the weight of the scarlet letter leant her characteristics of “Shame, Despair, [and] Solitude” (Hawthorne 209)! In identifiable ways, Dimmesdale has “…at the head of the social system…stood, only the more trammelled by its regulations, its principles, and even its prejudices” (Hawthorne 209). From perspective, Puritan standing can restrain the people as it has done to Hester and Dimmesdale. The lesson of adultery is only seen in the eyes of the Puritans, but Hawthorne’s depiction of the lovers’ tragedy shows the Puritans failure to see that every person has the ability and temptation to become a pointed sinner.
As mentioned, temptation can take hold of a person and lead to their demise, which is also seen in the story “Young Goodman Brown”. In an allegorical reference to Adam and Eve, what is beckoning Goodman Brown to go into the forest is his tempt for leaving the comforts of home to step into a world of sin. Brown is forever affected by his trip to the forest and lives the rest of his life as an unfeeling man, even after his hour of death gloom” (Hawthorne 198). Hawthorne shows how the belief of deep sin has ruined Brown and the scar of viewing every person as a sinner has made him into a forlorn person. He expresses an inability to forgive and move on with life, allowing the mistakes of the black stain he sees in the world to erode and constrain him. This depiction of gloom that surrounds Brown is the atmosphere, prevailing during the times of the Witch Trials and throughout the general scope of Puritan era.
Miller skillfully amplifies the corruption that can sprout from negative motivations which compliment a sense of religious ‘right-doing’. Likewise, Hawthorne relies heavily on the aspects of social values depicted in his Scarlet Letter, and “Young Goodman Brown” is in support of this by exemplifying the results, too. The Puritans found success when creating foundational moral and ethic codes that restrict and oppress people in a theocratic setting, and is also seen as far-fetched and damaging to the freedom of humanity. In The Crucible, The Scarlet Letter, and “Young Goodman Brown”, there is much to gain from the reenactment of Puritans time and how their laws and lifestyle affect that which is still known as the Puritan culture. |
