Modern Puritans

From what we've been reading about them, being a Puritan in today’s fun-long, liberal society would definitely be a drag. We've been reading about their way of life in stories such as The Crucible and The Scarlet Letter in class, and we've learned a lot about the strict, conservative policies they live by. To put it simply, they hate fun, and how they would live in the present is beyond me. But despite my doubt, there are clearly many examples of their lifestyle that remain leftover from the past.
                While the Puritans would likely believe doing anything we consider normal or, dare I say, fun, to be heretical signs of following the devil, they would seemingly approve of some aspects of our life. This is of course seen in several religious or conservative aspects in today’s media and culture, specifically, those who believe strictly in practices keeping the close to God and by their standards, “normal”. While these beliefs are in direct contrast to the way many tolerant and open-minded people live their lives, they’re still very prevalent in our society. Though to be fair, their beliefs are much less rigorous than they used to be, a clear effect of time. Whether or not they will stay around forever is definitely a question that only time will answer. However, I’m sure that as time goes on, people will surely embrace having a lenient, fun lifestyle.

John Proctor: Hero or Stooge

In “The Crucible” the character John Proctor can be viewed as a deeply conflicted character, but whether or not his final actions before his exaction can be viewed as heroic and noble or dumb and pointless is questionable. We've all read the book in class, so don’t complain about spoilers; Proctor lies to authorities by signing his confession to witchcraft and is to be kept from execution and eventually let free, but by doing so his confession will be posted for the whole town to see his guiltiness. Despite being urged to bear with this by his friends so he can escape certain death, Proctor refuses to allow his name to be sullied for a crime he did not commit and instead tears up his confession papers, which he sees as a final act of defiance against the law system of Salem, and is left to his fate, much to the chagrin of his peers.
            While this is meant to be seen as one last heroic stand, it is easy for today’s readers who have very different views on things like pride and chivalry to see this action as a very dimwitted move. Though this can be easily argued for, I view Proctor’s decision to be a respectable one of courage. Because many of the other accused did what Proctor did not and feigned their criminal actions to save themselves, Proctor went against the stagnant and corrupt flow and fought for something he believed, sort of in a way to give himself retribution for his other heavy sins. Since he did such a bold thing, I feel that his end was that of a hero.

"There Goes the Neighborhood"

Put yourself in this scenario: You’re at your house, just chillaxing without having a care in the world, and all of sudden you hear some ruckus outside. You get up and look outside your window, and you notice something odd. Whether it’s a group of young hooligans, general weirdos  or whatever other outcasts you aren't familiar with, it’s a group of people you and your neighborhood have never seen before. Now, you’re not biased, you are a kind and welcoming person who is excited to meet and greet these new people and make them feel at home in their new society…
            They however, are not nearly as courteous, and despite you and your neighbors attempt to welcome them, they don’t pay you any heed or respect as they trample all over the things you find precious without much care, taking your food and resources, making their own settlements over your land, and blatantly disregarding your existence and best wishes.
            This scene that you’ve imagined yourself in is that of the Native Americans when the explorers of Europe came to their continent. This is of course a major injustice towards humanity in general, and a completely shameful occurrence to the Native people. What makes this even worse if how their history is taught today, as us settlers aren’t painted in such an ugly color. It’s unfair for events like this to happen to any group of people, but the only away for us to realize that is if it happens to us.