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Differences And Similarities Between John Proctor And Hester Prynne

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Iconic yet complex characters, John Proctor and Hester Prynne, both belong to their own distinct and classic novels while still remaining to share many similarities between them. Hester Prynne, the female protagonist of the very well known novel, The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, goes through many similar conflicts as John Proctor, the male protagonist of The Crucible written by Arthur Miller. Each character however, has their own specific challenges directly related to them allowing different outlooks in each novel. Both Hester and John are persecuted by their extremely religious societies at one point for committing adultery. In different ways, the characters are sworn to secrecy and were forced to lie because of it. Hester …show more content…

Adultery, an act both John Proctor and Hester Prynne committed, in both societies is morally and legally wrong while being considered a sin to God. “Hester Prynne… for so long a period not merely estranged, but outlawed, from society, had habituated herself to such latitude of speculation as was altogether foreign to the clergyman. She had wandered, without rule or guidance,” (Hawthorne 165). From the first chapter that Hester Prynne was introduced, she was outcasted by society after having her daughter, Pearl as a result from her affair. She was then forced to wear an embroidered scarlet “A” on her chest for life as her punishment. “HALE: Mr. Proctor, your house is not a church; your theology must tell you that. PROCTOR: It does, sir, it does; and it tells me that a minister may pray to God without he have golden candlesticks upon the altar.” (Miller II.62). The society in The Crucible, is equally religious and with the recent accusations of witchcraft in the town, John Proctor becomes a suspect merely because he didn’t attend church as often as they’d prefer in the

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