Comparison

            John Proctor and Hester Prynne, two characters derived from a seventeenth century, puritan community have interesting views on life. John Proctor is selected from the play The Crucible written by Arthur Miller. Hester prynne comes from Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. John and Hester alike experienced public humiliation and grief. Although sharing these occurrences, John Proctor and Hester Prynne demonstrate their different outlooks on life.
             Concerning John and Hester's similarities, they are both married. While being joined in marriage with their spouses, both individuals committed adultery. Being in a religious, puritan community, this behavior is not acceptable. John and Hester are strong spirited, fee thinkers. These selected characters are the protagonist's from their stories. John and Hester committed crimes, and are trying to regain their high status and good name in town.
             Although a sinner, John values his wife and marriage. He is a good man who places great emphasis on his good name, as well religion. Proctor to Paris, " I read the gospel" (Miller 91). John feels the need to defend his morals by stating he does read the bible. Toward the end of the play, John reveals the truth about his affair with Abigail Williams in order to try to save his wife from accusations of witchcraft. He does not love Abigail, but rather his own wife Elizabeth. John tries to live up to his high expectations and hopes by confession, and yet he seems to be more concerned with his own personal integrity, than his public reputation. He confessed to the affair on his own behalf, to save his wife from facing the town at a witch trial. The Proctor's have three sons who need a mother. John's plan failed when he ended up behind bars on witch .
             accusations. He spoke the truth and believed that the truth would raise his name and bring him to heaven.
             Puritanism asserts the basic sinfulness of human kind; but it also declares that be an eternal decree of God has determined that some will be saved through the righteousness of Christ despite their sins.