Modern Puritans

Lately in English class we have been focused on the religious group the Puritans. They are a part of the early settlers religious group. Their laws were basically followed after the bible. If you committed a sin, you broke a law. Then you were punished accordingly. But even though this groups beliefs were in existence so long ago, do these ideas of motives still exist today? Who are the modern Puritan under strict rules?

I believe celebrities in general are getting the punishments as a modern Puritans. For example I will use Miley Cyrus. Everyone knows how wild she has become, and many people do not agree with this new image she is portraying. Even though she seems to be free to do whatever, anytime she sticks out her tongue she is punished for the crime. People continuously call her a bad role model for her new acts. But this is only because of her past job, as being Disney channel's teen inspirational rock star. But last time I checked Miley is not a Puritan. She has gotten older now and I don't recall her asking to be a role model and constantly upholding this image. Why is she being harshly punished and criticized for being wild and outrageous? Because she is a public figure and that is the punishment for the modern Puritan.

Then let's relate it more to a Puritan issue, adultery. Or at least something close to it, an inappropriate relationship. Recently the mayor of Newark, New Jersey was found to be talking to a stripper via Twitter. Now everyone is in uproar because he talked to this stripper in his direct messages on Twitter. But let's take in consideration that he's single and it was a harmless reply to one of his fans. It was not hidden and he admitted to it out in the open. But it is almost to the point of him being branded with an A merely because of the fact she is a stripper. And it's even more blown out of proportion because he is a public figure. The punishments of the modern Puritans.

John Proctor: Hero or Scrooge

Overall in the play/story "The Crucible" John Proctor is my favorite character. He displays great qualities of a man. Therefore I see him as a hero.

In the beginning the first thing we saw about John in his affair with Abigail. Then we think "That's horrible! He cheated on his wife with a teenager." But he also feels bad about the decision. Overall he regrets it and tries to make up for it throughout the story. He wants his marriage to return to the old days. Then he is also displayed as this non-churchgoer. We start to wonder why isn't he conforming to do the right thing. Later we find out church is not even a positive rejoicing place anymore. It is just full of negativity. We cannot judge John, everyone makes mistakes.

Now let us look at all the great things John tries to accomplish. When his wife is arrested he goes to fight for her. But no he does not just stop there, he is trying to free everyone wrongly convicted. Even when the court gave the deal to save his wife John still fought for those still in jail. He was seen as trying to "overthrow the court" and still pushed through to get the truth out.

At the end in act four John seemed to be locked up so long almost to the point of his hanging. They were urging for him to confess so he would not die. Even though John know he was not a witch after all the pushing he did confess. Also they tried for him to accuse others and John did not. He stayed true to his word. The last straw was pulled when they tried to get him to sign to his confession. This was my favorite part that touched me. He asked to at least have his name. To show that was the last thing he owned. For him they could strip away all that he has, but his valuable item is his name: John Proctor. That was a truly heroic move for him to ultimately sacrifice his life for. In the end he dies for his 11 letter name something I do not believe is a common way to lose your life over. Even though his ultimate  goal to free the people was not accomplished John tired. And that was heroic.

Arrivals.. There Goes the Neighborhood

Of course in this situation, everyone will take the Native Americans side. Yeah, because for the most part they were the victims in this situation. All of a sudden a new group of people were coming out of nowhere trying to take what is not theirs. But I have decided to take the hard way through this. Let us look at it from the English settlers perspective.

Yes, we know that the English settlers did do the Native Americans wrong. They used their trust that they gained from the natives against them. Overall to conquer this land and to use it for their own purpose. But then again we cannot forget the real reason they came over to America anyway. They wanted to have a place to call their own. Where they can be comfortable and free to do what they wanted. A place called home.

After looking at it that way it reminded me of the play/novel "A Raisin in the Sun". For a background history this play is set in Chicago around the 1950s. An African American family set to live in poverty, saves up and moves into a predominantly white neighborhood. Being the fact that this is during an era of racism, of course the neighbors are trying to run them out. But all the family wanted was to better themselves. The father, Walter Younger, wants his kids to have a better home to live in. Some place that they are comfortable in. After all the conflicts presented in the play, at the end the family decides not to move and stay in this neighborhood. This relates to the English settlers. Back in their homes they were outcasts and for the most part ran out of England. They came to America to better themselves as well. Even though they did not approach it with great ease, they did gain this land and called it home. 

Regardless of the problems the English settlers brought upon the Native Americans, in the long term it brought greater results. In their time, yes some devastation did occur. And with their arrival the Native American's neighborhood did disappear. Hence "there goes the neighborhood." Some lives were ruined, and relationships were broken. But I do agree with Ireti that I would not change a thing. If it were not for these events my life would be how it is now. I am perfectly fine with it.