Perspectives on Learning From Sin: Proctor from the Crucible, and Hester from The Scarlet Letter

Sin is like the sun. Even when sin is not visible the transgression still there. This analogy in the form of a simile shows how sin can harm people. The sun has bad long term effects on people much like the way sin can destroy peoples lives and ruin the sinners reputation. Sin is thought of as evil or erroneous. It brings shame and disgrace to the sinner. Once a person sins that person is considered to be ruined. The horrendous wrongdoing that the individual has committed are not erasable. The sinner is thought of as less a person and are thought of as bad.Sin is thought of as being terrible and is treated as a heinous crime. These unspeakable deeds that the sinner has enacted are thought of as repulsive and detestable, but one could argue that sin, like the sun is a good thing. Although John Proctor from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and Hester Prynne from Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter are sinners, their sins are good. Hester and Proctor have committed unjustifiable evil their sins turn out to be a blessing in disguise forming and shaping the two characters into better people who are worthy of living a good life. These sins teach them both lessons that greatly impact Proctor and Hester’s lives changing it for the better.

John Proctor is guilty of committing adultery. Proctor has executed this sin with Abigail Williams, a girl who worked for him. John Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth, discovers the truth about her husband and his adulterous affair and is furious at her husband’s sin. Elizabeth fires Abigail, Elizabeth begins to blame herself for the sins of her husband. Proctor’s unjustifiable sin has burned the relationship with Elizabeth, causing her to suffer. One may believe that this sin is inexcusable and that no good can come f...

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...in and suffering, but after taking a look into the lives of Hester and Proctor one must conclude that sin can bring good and change the person into a better person. These sins like the sun provided Hester and Proctor with the light to find the path that leads to a better life. The sins which they have committed promotes growth in the two character to show them a better way of life. Proctor and Hester have learned valuable life lessons that give them the resources to be better people. Sins may be defined as being terrible, vile acts, but one can easily argue that sins are good. The characters learn from their mistakes and are better people for it.

Works Cited

Author, Miller. The Crucible. Austin: Holt, Rhinehart, and Winston, 2005. Print.

Works Cited

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Pocket, 2004. Print.