Evidence of Vanity in Puritanical Works

He passed on his life without paying for his crime, escaping punishment, and not facing any consequences for his actions. Oedipus had one character trait that directly affected his personality and downfall, arrogance. Arrogance brought Oedipus’ downfall, destroyed his life. Even after Tiresias( blind prophet) told Oedipus the truth about the prophecy he still didn’t believe him and questioned his liability “I say you slew the man whose slayer you seek”(line 381), Oedipus made Tiresias repeat this statement three times because he was arrogant enough to not believe the blind prophet. After all the evidence provided to Oedipus he still didn’t believe the truth (until the sole survivor clears everything up),

Essentially, the reason no one rebelled against the wrongful accusations of Abigail was they were afraid. If they tried helping the innocent they 'd either make the situation worse or get themselves in trouble. For example Giles Cory tried speaking out about his wife and it took a turn for the worse. "They be telling lies about my wife"(Miller 79) Giles Cory is pleading the court to free his innocent wife who was wrongfully accused ,and sadly was eventually hanged. Due to his involvement with trying to save her he was also accused and killed.

Although, the Misfit is introduced toward the end of the story, his conversation with the Grandmother indicates he has no awareness of why the punishments for his wrongdoings were so severe. While speaking to the Grandmother he states that “‘[he] calls [himself] the Misfit [..] because [he] can’t make what [he did] wrong fit [in with what] he [went] through in punishment’’’(O’ Connor 26). The Misfit is an objectively awful person; not only for murdering countless victims, but for believing that since he is completely outside conventional morals his harsh punishment is undeserving. By Misfit labeling himself outside moral conduct he has no boundaries for his deeds because he has no value of right from wrong. Furthermore, the Misfit does not have any sympathy or regret for those he murders and simply forgets his wrongdoings.

Chillingsworth was also hurt by Hester's act of adultery and because of her, his life was destroyed and the only thing he could do was seek revenge against the man who had been with her. Hester's child Pearl had to be raised by only one parent and that caused the child to be less disciplined and more outrageous making the townspeople more suspicious of who the child's father was. It also caused the religious leaders to wonder about the religious stability of the child, and if there might be witchcraft involved, "The little baggage have witchcraft in her"(p112). Hester also caused numerous a sleepless night for Dimmesdale. If Hester had just announced that Dimmesdale was the father he would have never have lived through all the guilt that she forced him into.

By ensuring death through anesthesia, however, we have nearly severed pain from punishment.” (Blecker) We as a human beings have an innate fear of being the reason for another 's death. We do not want to look at the harsh fact that if we want someone to be put to death due to our sense of justice that we will actually have to have someone kill that person. “No matter how vicious the crime, no matter how vile the criminal, some death penalty opponents feel certain that nobody can ever deserve to die -- even if that person burned children alive, massacred a dozen strangers in a movie theater, or bombed the Boston Marathon. Other opponents admit the worst of the worst of the worst do deserve to die. They just distrust the government ever to get it right.” (Blecker) We as a society have trouble drawing a line for what justifies a death and if our government can actually deliver a just way to apply this

Creon declares Polyneices not to be buried, punishes and kills Antigone for trying to give her brother a proper burial, lets no one mourn his death (SP4). Although Creon didn’t kill himself he has to live with his knowing that he brought this tragedy on himself. Both characters were challenged together in separate ways with both unfortunate outcomes. In both stories we know that Okonkwo and Creon rule by fear and they both believe that having power is the most important thing; it isn’t (SP1). That trait of fear of weakness may as well of been both Okonkwo and Creon’s tragic flaw which caused the two their devastating downfall.

Chillingworth understood why Hester committed adultery; because he’s more focused on his work and sea trips than he is with Hester, yet this doesn’t change his perspective. Chillingworth constantly reminds Hester that she betrayed him, and threatens to murder the father of the illegitimate child. Hawthorne described Chillingworth as evil that “haunts forest round about” (68). Hester is constantly called names and is told that she deserved more than public embarrassment, that she deserved death. Although Chillingworth expressed this a couple of times, Hester’s afraid and at some point she starts feeling ashamed of what she has done because of how Chillingworth expresses it, but she doesn’t let her feelings show.

When Hale asks John to recite the Ten Commandments, John says all except for thou shall not com... ... middle of paper ... ...t had taken a long time for the truth to be revealed in the Scarlet Letter, Hester leaves behind a legacy of bravery for being a mother to the product of a sin and loving with a symbol that represents her sin. Although John Proctor refuses for his name to be put up in the Puritan community for the townspeople to see the crime he has committed, his death is evidence that he did truly care about the injustice in the Puritan society between the wealthy who are guilty of witchery but were not charged and the poor average people who were innocent but accused and prosecuted. Both Arthur Miller and Nathaniel Hawthorne show readers through Hester Prynne and John Proctor that these characters have made mistakes and had integrity to own up to the punishment from the Puritan community. Therefore both characters are significant in many ways to show readers how similar they are.

Creon thought by making an example of Antigone's execution, everybody would get scared and won't try to brake his laws. It actually worked for a while. Creon abused his power by thinking that he can change or brake the laws of the Gods and not allowing other people to brake his laws. He did not want to burry Polyneices' body, but one of the God's law is that every human deserves to be buried after death not depending what that certain person did in his lifetime. Creon caused fear among his people by making a public announcement that nobody is allowed to burry Polyneices.

Due to this and judge Danforths ego he sends many people to their deaths still claiming innocence. Not only does Danforth refuse to hear opposition to the existence of witchcraft he creates the front that anyone who doubts that witchcraft is in Salem is trying to undermine the court (p. ). However it is apparent that he just does not want his authority to be questioned or his reputation tarnished. Danforth and Abigail are able to accomplish this becaus... ... middle of paper ... .... Their beliefs that the girls are right has forced them to fear that they might be accused next. Abigail even dares say this to Danforth "Let you beware, Mr. Danforth.