It is evident that women had to constantly fight to earn some of the basic human rights. It also true that the status of women now is much better than one hundred years ago. One of the things that constantly coming up in the stories read so far is the role of women. I believe literature is a reflection of society. When writing a novel for an author use what he seen around him as inspiration for his stories, and if women were not empowered that what they are going to portray. Chaucer was not a women hater, he simply portrayed Emily as any other women of that time. Also, for a change Chaucer had the Amazon women who lived on their own and were completely independent of men, and that was rare for literature of the that time period. Chaucer was only reflecting society in his literary works. Also book written in the twenty first century describe women differently than he did in the Middle English era. As time change character change also.

A perfect/working society needs balance. When creating my society this was the first thing I thought about. To make that happen I choose five roles that I thought that a working society would need. These roles were parent, entertainment, medical services/ healer, scientist, and bad ass. I selected people that epitomize these roles. The person that exemplified the role of a parent was Angelina Jolie. She adopted many children from impoverish countries and had some of her own. She is a mother, care taker, and humanitarian so she was the perfect mother figure for my society. During the trade Angelina Jolie was traded for Gandhi. I decided that Gandhi was an amazing addition to my society because he was a great leader, father figure, teacher he was the perfect example of a good citizen and a care taker. For my entertainment I chose Chris Rock because he is a comedian and an actor. As for the healer/ someone in the medical services I picked the Regina Benjamin who is the 18th Surgeon General of the United States she is women who worked hard all her life and was nominated by the president in that position. Albert Einstein was the perfect scientist but he was traded for Mr. George. I did this because I feel like Einstein is not the type of person who relate well to others and also Tru was dying to have Einstein. Mr. George will be a great teacher, leader, and bad ass in my society. When I was choosing someone to be the bad ass of my society Pink was the first person that came to my mind. She is fearless woman who will not let anyone bring her down. Nonetheless, I traded Pink for Lara Croft who represented protection in my society because she possessed strong skills in combat and weaponry. My society lacks law enforcement, Lara Croft will be the perfect person to look out for the other member of the society.

What makes a working society is balance. Society will never be perfect no matter how hard we try. Society cannot be perfect but it can certainly reach a state equilibrium. That is what I tried to do when I chose that five role of my working society. Society should not be all funs and games nor should it be all seriousness. It should be a mixture of both, and a fair representation of the roles that emerges in almost all of the societies. That is why the five roles I felt were necessary in my society are parent, artist, medical services/ healer, scientist, and bad ass. The roles I chose cover all aspect of what a society need. The roles are well picked because they will be their from generation to generation. They are common role. They are good in the way that they make it easy to build a new generation.

Rules to Successfully Court
• Find someone who you have some kind of attraction too.
• Then try to get in contact with them. It is best if you can talk to them, and try to get to know them better. This stage is usually the flirting stage, it is a vital period because it is the time for you show the person your good qualities, and also find things out about them.
• During your conversations try to assess if they too have the same attraction toward.
• Evaluate what their personality and how it complements yours.
• Find things about that person accentuates their personalities. Beauty and physical appears should not be the deciding factor in continuing a pursuit.
• When you are sure that this person is the right one, and are sure that they like you ask them out on a date.
• If they reject you, it is acceptable to ask one more times but not right away; but if they do not give a valid reason for rejecting you, do not waste your time because chances are they do not like you.
• If they accept, dates are important because it is the deciding factor of what happens next. It would be best for the first date to be interactive, avoid movies because you are not getting to know someone by setting in dark theater.
• It is important to not move to fast or to slow. Do not go for the kiss on the first date but do not wait until the tenth. Because you have to keep your date interested if you move to fast they might get overwhelmed and leave because it is to much for them to handle. Nonetheless, if you make them wait forever they might loses all interest in you.
• After a fair amount of dates, discussing the next step with your significant other would be great. Find out if they want to bring the relationship to the next level. Being in a committed relationship is a lot of work. Also you have to be sure that it is what you want.
• If you think they are the right person and both of you want the same thing ask them to be your boyfriend or girlfriend.

Beowulf/ Invictus

When reading Invictus by William Henley one can draw many similarities to the epic poem Beowulf. One the most poignant resemblance between these two poems is the emotional strength these characters demonstrate. In Invictus the character is not formally presented to the audience but his struggles and journey are briefly touched upon. One of the most powerful things the characters posses is their belief in themselves. Although to some this may frown upon but one must realize how useful this is to the characters, especially Beowulf. One may think that Beowulf is a pompous and self absorb man but if he does not belief in himself who will. If Beowulf had the physical strength to fight Grendel’s mother but was scared of her that would not be good for anyone. Also it is not easy to anyone to go and face their death and freely accept the consequences. Another thing that connects these two poems is the fact that they had to overcome adversity: “In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud…My head is bloody, but unbowed” (Henley 5-9). From this very line this one can see that he a character with many struggles but one that is untouched. One can say the same about Beowulf; he faced many problems but also has his strength and God to fall back on. In the mist of adversary Beowulf rely on God which shows his strong belief in God almighty, while the character in Invictus does not have a set belief on god.

Based on the brief scene in which Wealhtheow was presented to the audience, one can infer that Anglo-Saxon women did not have a significant role in society. As the queen of Hrothgar, Wealhtheow in theory is the most powerful woman of the Danes, but there was nothing noteworthy about her character. She was portrayed as a common woman rather than a queen. Any slave woman could have done what she did and not look out of place. Her actions seemed habitual and dull. There was not really any depth to her character. From the portrayal of Wealhtheow no one can fully know what was the role of an Anglo-Saxon women, but one can infer that her voice could be easily ignored amongs the men. They are not involved with much of society’s problem. It seems that they were there to fill up space and not do much.

As children we were taught that heroes were people with superhuman powers. They were the men and women who had the ability to fly, turn invisible, and run into a burning building and come out without a scratch. Yet, as time goes on the belief that heroes have superhuman powers simply fades away but their courage and dedication to the well being of others is shown by men and women every day. Heroes in today’s society are men and women who dedicate their lives for good. When talking of heroes, one has to mention the hundreds of firefighters who on 9-11 lost their lives to save someone else's. Not many people have the kind of courage these people had. A hero, though, is not just the person who runs into the building but also someone who scarifies his or her life for the betterment of society. Some of the best examples of this are school teachers. They are overworked and underpaid. They take on the burden of teaching the future generation but do not get much reward for it. The social obligation of a hero is to be at service of other, just like comic book superheroes are. It is not they abilities that make them heroes, but the responsibilities they take on.

Macbeth

Throughout history the role of women has changed drastically. Unlike their male counterparts, women were considered to be second class citizens until somewhat recently. A woman during who lived 1600s would be much different than a woman who lived during in 2000s. The average woman of the 1600s could not survive a day in the shoes of the modern women. Women today are not only expected to be mothers, wives, and caretakers, but also have to work and provide an income for their families. Most women are no longer the puppets of their husbands. They are ambitious and ruthless when they need to be, just like Lady Macbeth. In Shakespeare’s play the Tragedy of Macbeth, Shakespeare's portrayal of Lady Macbeth is that of a revolutionary women. This is because she does not fit the description of a women from that time. Lady Macbeth takes charge of her husband’s future because without her Macbeth would not have done what would have been necessary to become king. She works for what she wants, and would stop at nothing to achieve her goal. She urges her husband to kill Duncan so he is able to become king. She did what was the best interest of her family, similar to what many women in present time are forced to do. Though not as extreme as ordering one's death, certain mothers and wives in the current economic crisis have similarly tough decisions to make so that they can reap the benefits of their work.

Coralie Casimir
The Ugliness of Beauty

Dorian Grey is a selfish and proud young lad whose obsession with his looks led him doing the path of unrighteousness.
Dorian Grey is a man who traded his soul for eternal beauty. After, Basil Hallward painted this magnificent portrait of him; Dorian became sadden by the fact that his beauty was going to fade with time. So, he made the fatal wish to have the portrait grow old and he stayed young. Dorian’s beauty was something people admired. This quickly gave him power over the young men and women of London. With his new found influence Dorian abandoned any desires for happiness and only sought pleasure: “I have never searched for happiness. Who want happiness? I want pleasure” (Wilde 202). The best way he found it was through iniquity. He used men and women for these quick pleasures and who throw them away like objects. He was able to do this with almost no remorse because he was no longer the one who bore his conscience, the portrait did.
Dorian Grey is like a drug addict. They live for the constant pleasure but not for the pursuit of happiness. Dorian’s life is centered on his self infatuation and idea that every impulse is wroth acting upon. Dorian became addicted to the small pleasures he would get from people or drugs. His life was centered on having a good time and not suffers the consequences. Like a drug addict, Dorian was somewhat conscious of his sins but over rules his conscious with even more immorality. Addict believe that the delight felt from indulging in debauchery is wroth everything in the world, even ones soul.
Dorian Grey is like Kevin Federline a self proclaimed celebrity who used his wife’s money for his own pleasure, just like Dorian used countless people and drugs to satisfy his hunger for pleasure.

Coralie Casimir
A.P English
Mr. George
A Good Deed at a High Cost
Basil Hallward is a true and honest friend to Dorian; he wants the best for Dorian and stopped at nothing save and protect him.
Basil's love for Dorian might be viewed as something that goes far beyond friendship but Basil cared Dorian like he was his own child. When Basil first met Dorian, he was like a naive young but over time progressed into a rebellious teenager. Influence by the witticism of Lord Henry, Dorian fall into a life of temptation. Basil role in the novel was to take him away from temptation and to righteousness. Unlike Lord Henry Basil genuinely cared about Dorian and would let no harm come his way. Like a true friend, when Basil heard that they were rumor that put a taint on Dorian’s name he goes and confronts him. When Basil find out that Dorian was true as malicious as people pertain him to be, Basil urged him towards salvation: “Pray, Dorian, pray…Lead us not into temptation. Forgive us of our sins…Let us pray together” (Wilde 162). Basil’s reward for wanting the best for Dorian was his death. He was killed by the very person the he loved.
Basil is like a guardian angel. He looks after Dorian and loves him a lot. It is common belief might me that Sybil Vane was Dorian’s was chance to salvation, but in reality it was Basil. His love for Dorian was far greater than any love that Dorian ever encountered in his life. Basil did his best to guide and protect Dorian, but like every guardian angel they can only help you if you want to be helped.
Basil is like Mr. Drury because Mr. Drury is their to help and guide the student of Trinity Catholic High School, just like Basil tries to guide Dorian to righteousness.

Coralie Casimir
A.P English
Mr. George
March 29, 2010
Witticisms

1. Being in a relationship defies the purpose of being young.
2. The problem with education is that is limits people’s creative abilities.
3. A government is to its people what a pacifist is to an army general, completely useless.
4. The amazing thing about the greatest love of your life is that they walk into your life as quickly as they walk out.
5. The only way a prison can reform their inmate is by sucking the life out of them so they would loses all interest of seeing the next day.
6. Gossip belongs exclusively to the lower masses.
7. What does it profit a woman to gain all the riches and loses her freedom.
8. Men love us for our emotional vulnerability. If we have enough of them, they will forgive us for everything, even our secrecy.
9. Fame! Fame! There is absolutely nothing in the world but fame!
10. An STD is nothing but of badge of honor, it only show how many partners you been with.

“In the hypocrisy he had worn the mask of goodness. For curiosity’s sake he had tried the denial of self. He recognized that now” (Wilde 228).

One of the main components to Dorian’s fall into sin was is self denial. Dorian purposely detached himself for reality because he was too selfish to deal with it. Dorian did not have the time to feel pain, sorrow, or vulnerability. He wanted to be happy and life in a fantasy because to life was all about being young and living a shady life which he tried to passed of as great. His life was everything but filled with happiness and satisfaction. He did not have anything that made him content. Dorian had keep indulging in ridiculous thing because he feels good for a minute then it all goes away so he has to keep doing it over and over again to always have the same satisfaction. Dorian was like any old addict, they have to keep indulging in their vice to keep. The worst thing about, Dorian was that he was able to have everything someone could ever want and then more. One must try to get at the corps of the novel and answer the most important question of all, “What does it profit a man if he gain he whole world and lose…his own soul” (220). Well, Dorian did not profit from anything. Because he lived like the character in the book that Lord Henry gave him. He had nothing to work for, Dorian is living life trying to find something that is not there and it was never worth loosing his soul over. Finally years later he realizes that he lived a very purposeless life.

“It is the death Basil Hallward that weighed most upon his mind. It was the living death of his own soul that troubled him. Basil had painted the portrait that had marred his life. He could for forgive him that. It was the portrait that had done everything” (226).

This train of thought is probably Dorian’s justification for killing Basil. Murder is nothing that should be condoled but Dorian feels like Basil is at fault for it his tragic end. Basil painted the portrait took his soul. He feels like Basil has taken something that is dear to him and he had to pay for it. No one had to right to make kill someone; nonetheless, most people have reasons behind the things they do. Dorian lived a life of corruption and felt it was all Basil’s fault. It is kind of typical of Dorian to pass the blame on someone else but it is understandable that he resents Basil for creating that monstrous thing that took his soul.

“I admit that I think that it is better to be beautiful than to be good. But, on the other hand, no one is more ready than I am to acknowledge that it is better to be good than ugly” (Wilde 199).

If taking this quote in the context of inner beauty and inner ugliness, Dorian compromise his inner righteousness with is ugliness. One must wonder if physical beauty is enough to make someone immune to any type of punishment. Dorian seems to doge every misfortune that is thrown his way. One particular thing with sin is that it must be repented and Dorian has no interest in doing that. The odd thing about him is that he spends countless hours thinking about it and would feel some type of sorrow but then he would go back to his ways. When compared to Arthur Dimmesdale, Dorian’s ugliness will do nothing but sent him straight to hell. First thing like Arthur, Dorian thought about his sins would feel a little shame because of the way it id affecting his soul but nothing would come out of it. At least Arthur proceeded to punish himself. Dorian way of dealing with sin resembles Proctor the most. They know that they have sinned but do not do anything about it. Well, Proctor had better intentions than Dorian and ended up confessing at the end. In all I think Dorian’s end will be just like Abigail’s, two beautiful people who indulge into sin for their own benefit and Dorian doesn’t have a soul so it means that he probably has nothing to make him feel the need to repent and inter the Kingdom of God. Also two things that is evident in this novel is that Dorian listen to every word that Lord Henry says and secondly is that, “Ugliness became dear to him now for that very reason. Ugliness was the one reality” (191). Dorian’s knows that he is ugly and Henry is saying that righteousness is better than ugliness.

“Each man lived his own life, and paid his own price for living it. The only pity was one had to pay so often for a single fault. One had to pay over and over again” (194).

One of the harshest things about life is that once you mess up big time is like life is over. Because people are so reluctant to forgive, also one can pay for a little mistake for all there lives. It is not that I believe that someone has to pay for their crimes but people some times have to pay for a crime with their lives. Some times it is a crime they had asked forgiveness for or just do not understand what they have done. One of the most vivid examples of this was Bigger Thomas in Richard Wrights’ novel Native Son. Bigger paid price being black and it was like he was being severely taxed for being black. First he was cheated by the social system. He could dream of flying or having a better life because in the time he lived in none of these things was available to the black community. Because he was constantly suppressed for his color he grown to hate his suppressors the white community, and when they tried being nice to him he did know how to react to that and this led him to kill Mary Dalton. He killed her because he did not know how her mother would react to having him in her room. He acted out of fear because it was the only thing he was taught all his life is to fear and respect the whit community and that ultimately caused him his life. Bigger pay a price over and over again because he was black.

“I [Alan] have no desire to help you. You forget that. I am simply indifferent to the whole thing. It was nothing to do with me” (Wilde 174).

When Dorian’s true colors are revealed, he looses his charm. Dorian manipulated and ruined Alan Campbell life and expected him to come to his rescue. Dorian paints himself as a damsel in distress and is just wanting for his prince to come and help with the most horrible crime. Dorian use to be friends with Alan, and he sucked the life of Alan. The man was talented musician and also a great scientist. With small time he spent with Dorian he distanced himself with music and constricted himself to only science. They started as inseparable friends and then Alan could not stand the sight of him and that ones of his passions died. He met Dorian through music that would give him a good reason to dislike it so much. Despite ruining the man’s life, Dorian sends for him. He was getting angry with the thought of Basil. When Alan gets to him Dorian throws himself at his pity. He begs and pleads with Alan for his help and Alan was indifferent to his words. It was like Dorian’s beauty could no longer hide his true self. Alan did yield to Dorian’s charm or sweet word but had to do the deed because he had a terrible secret. In the hopes of protecting his good name he plays by Dorian’s rules. What is sad about this is that he thinks that he is the man pulling the strings of a puppet not realizing that he is the greatest puppet of all times.

“He began to brood over those verses which… tell of that curious statue that Gautier compares to a contralto voice, the ‘monstre charmant’ that couches in the porphyry-room of the Louvre” (169).

The delightful monster it is in better words describing who Dorian is. He is a charming and deceitful person. He was the man people want to meet and be with but once they discover who he is would not even approach him. He has no respect for anything and has arrogance in his speech and in his comportment. Dorian believes that the whole world owns him and that he is better than everyone else and has nothing to give back. His is like a muse or a portrait in a museum because he is there to be admired and nothing else. What gives him is power is the importance he gets from people.

“I don’t believe these rumors at all… Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man’s face. It cannot be concealed… If a wretched man has a vice, it shows in the lines of his mouth, the droop of his eyelids, the molding of his hands even” (Wilde 154).

This statement is what is wrong with the world’s conception of beauty. People usually associate beauty with righteousness, justice, and fairness, which is not always true. Basil is the embodiment of the societal idolization of beautiful people. Some live and breathe to idolize good looking people. They are so blinded by their looks that they would not believe anything that would taint their good reputation, even if this is universally felt by most people. It is true that Dorian has the portrait to bore his burdens for him but physical appearance will never dictate ones personality. This is true for Dorian. Well it is evident that no one will be able to tell how Dorian is in the inside but it is not a reason to believe that his angelic face is coherent with his devilish personality. For Basil and most people is much easier do deny the truth than accept it. Admitting that Dorian is a wicked man is kind of going against his belief, because the person he has loved for so long would be nothing but a foe. It is hard for someone who you highly respect and revered is like the devil himself. It is so hard for Basil to accept it even when he got all the evidence he needed condemn him. He begged Dorian to disprove what was adherently true: “If you tell me that they are absolutely untrue from beginning to end, I shall believe you. Deny them, Dorian, deny them!” (157). It is very understandable the way Basil feel because the one person I wish and so desperately wanted to be good is the most hated person in London it gives you the feeling of misjudgment and lost. In this situation Dorian was probably someone the was not wroth befriending, just based on the simple fact that he ends up killing Basil, but a true friend that you love is something different and you will try to preserve your friendship and their good names at cost. It just happened that the price was Basil’s life even if it was not to bring his friend to the road to redemption but it was worth the try.

“You [Basil] met me, flatteredme, and taught me to be vain of my good looks” (161).
It is strange to think that Dorian blames Basil for his misfortunes but it is something that can be understood. Maybe if he had never met Basil he never had encounter Henry. Nonetheless, as much as he wants to put the blame on someone else he is the source of his own misfortunes. Dorian was the one who decided to go down the path of sin. He had so many chances to turn away but he was most existed with the feeling of being loved and living life on the edge. What is worst is that he knows the consequences and is very ashamed of them. He hid the picture so no one see it. He is obsess with it and checks how it changes and how ugly it gets but never does anything to change. One must then wonder why he care so much that the picture had changed. Dorian is waiting for a miracle to happen, which fun because most miracles happen when you work for them. Dorian just does not know that the power for him to change

“For the wonderful beauty that had fascinated Basil Hallward, and many other besides him, seemed never to leave him. Even those who had learn the most evil things against him… could not believe anything to his dishonor when they saw him” (Wilde 131).

It is a strange fascination that people have with beauty, a lot of times beauty seems to conceal all evil. Some people are able to hide themselves behind the façade that looks create, and what gives them the ability to do so is the admiration it comes with. One of perfect example of this is societies in the twenty first century. The people who plaster on poster and who are suppose to model normality are the most beautiful people in the world. Plus when you add technology into the equation it creates flawless people. Model and good looking people are idolized in our current society. Also just based on your looks you have many more advantages and this is true for Dorian Grey. Dorian’s beauty acts like a veil in his life, it cover everything his sin and his shame and no one is able to see it. He became beauty itself: “He might really become to the London of his day what to imperial Neronian Rome…had been… to be consulted on the wearing of a jewel, or knotting of a necktie, or the conduct of a cane” (133). Dorian loved it. He would contemplate a few times about what he had done but so far he is enjoying himself. So far what Lord Henry had told him is working out for the best. Dorian is utilizing the only thing he has for is own benefits, but in a bad way. He is using the powers he gains from the picture as not something to become a better person but as a scapegoat.


“He would sit in front of the picture, sometimes loathing it himself, but filled at other times, with pride of individualism that is half the fascination of sin, smiling with secrete pleasure, at the misshapen shadow that had to bear the burden that should have been his own” (144).

It seems for everything that is good it brings something bad. Life is just has a way to never bring about perfection. Everything seems to be flawed in the world, and perfection is an idealistic view of life. Dorian was given a great gift with the portrait, but with it comes other problems. He is able to lock away all his sin, but he was not able to forget about the object that bore all of his sin. He obsesses about the picture fearing that someone would dare see his true nature: “He hated being separated from the picture that was such part of his life, and was also afraid that during his absence some one might gain access to the room” (144). This brought a constant worry into his life. Dorian worries and worries about the picture but what is the purpose of worrying is you will not do anything to change the situation. He has become paranoid because he knows that he is nothing but hallow because all of the internal feeling he should have are being felt by a portrait and not him. Nonetheless, the pride he speaks of is understandable. Who in this world has an unanimated object feeling useless emotions for him? He is one of the luckier lads in London with an extraordinary gift.

“His own soul was looking out at him from the canvas and calling to judgment. A look of pain came across him and flung the rich pall over the picture” (Wilde 122).

One of the greatest mistakes someone can do is to no face their sins and shames in a timely matter. The worst thing one can do is disregard their faults. Time and time again this had been displayed, like Proctor, Abigail and Dimmesdale. The best way, to live a good live is by living a moral life. People tend to think that living a moral life is by suppressing any desires that might bring us happiness, and this is a false misconception. From a religious stand point God gave us talent and life and these are things that should be celebrated. Life is not something anyone should waste but there are limitations to everything. Dorian is going down a same path as Proctor, Abigail, and Dimmesdale. So far it hard to predict what kind of outcome Dorian might have in the end but if he does have an advantage on them because he can see how is sins are affecting him. He succumbs to his desires and then proceeds to blame everything on Henry. No one can deny in great impact that Henry has on Dorian. Nonetheless, Dorian is very receptive of his influence. It is like Dorian craves it like food and without it he could no survive. One thing the Henry taught Dorian was to never appreciate anything even when it is gone. One thing that he said which was very interesting was that the gods could send him another Sybil Vane to help him: “Some love might come across his life, and purify him, and shield him from those sins that seemed already stirring in spirit and in flesh” (125). Sybil Vane was blessing to Dorian and he did not appreciate the power she gave him. When he was in love with her, he was able to stand up to Henry and not fall into his temptations, but she no longer there and nothing is stopping him.


“The love bore [Basil] him- for it was really love- had nothing in it that not noble and intellectual. It was not that mere physical admiration of beauty that is born of these sense, and that dies when the senses tire” (122).

Even if Basil's love for Dorian might be more than just friendship but Basil love Dorian like he was his own child. When Basil first might Dorian, he was like a naive young noy who was only influence by his parents and the small things around him. Now Dorian is like a teenage boy who desires nothing but freedom and constantly claims his manhood. Most teenagers are a the point that they do not want to be told by anyone, especially their parents that they are young or cannot do things. It is the time they revolt against authority and make a name for themselves. Henry is the bad friend that everyone has, he pushes you to do bad things and gives the worst advice, Henry is like the friend that no parent wants their children to have and he is the friend that Basil tried to protect Dorian from. Another thing during this crusual time up a teenagers development is that they do not listen to their parents just like Dorian does not listen to Basil. Deep down most teenager know that their parent loves and care about them but they choose not to listen to them because they believe that they just would not understand just like Dorian believe that Basil do not understand his choices: "It was such a love as Michel Angelo had known, and Montaigne, and Wickkelmann, and Shakespeare himself. Yes, Basil could save him. But it was too late now" (122). Dorian believes that Basil cannot do anything to help him anymore. So, Dorian takes it as a reason to do anything he wants.

“How little can you (Sybil) love if you say it mars your art! Without your art you are nothing. I would have made you famous, splendid, magnificent. The world would have worshiped you, and you would have borne my name? What are you now? A third-rate actress with a pretty face” (Wilde 91).

This passage seemed to be tainted with the most selfish words Dorian has uttered in this whole novel, so far. Nonetheless, one can understand why he would quickly fall out of love. Dorian and Sybil’s love was based on nothing at all. Dorian never loved her but only love her art. She was a great actress; Sybil had the ability to bring to life any of Shakespearean characters. She had a flawless beauty but that way how much Dorian care to know about her. When that was taken away his love for her quickly went away. He love was murdered the some with her acting that night. This shows that even if they were married upon Sybil’s first mistake Dorian would be contemplating how he would free himself from her. Breaking up with Sybil killed her. She could not handle the pain of having her heart broken into piece and then stomped on by the very man she loved. If Sybil had really thought about her action she would have known that her life was worth more than a man’s words. She did not even know him for that long her love for Dorian could not have based on anything. To Dorian Sybil was nothing but a Shakespearean character and Henry brought the readers to this realization: “Cry out against Heaven because the daughter of Brabantio died. But don’t waste your tears over Sybil Vane. She was less real than they are” (107). On the other hand her death comes with a consequence and to Dorian it will be fatal because of her brother’s promise. His revenge will be the real.


“Life had decided that for him-life, and his own infinite curiosity about life. Eternal youth, infinite passion, pleasure subtle and secret, wild joy and wilder sins- he was to have all these things. The portrait was to bear the burden of his shame; that was all” (109)

The portrait brings an interesting aspect to Dorian’s life. Its powers gives him the power to do what ever he want and not suffer the physical or the emotional burdens. The painting gives him a reason to live as Henry’s social experiment. Dorian will be unstoppable and he had no reasons to. Nevertheless, the portrait was not going to serve this purpose to Dorian at first. When he first found out about the portrait, Dorian wanted it to be a guide for good conduct: “The picture, chance or unchanged, would be to him the visible emblem of his conscience. He would resist temptation. He would not see Lord Henry any more- would not, at any rate, listen to those subtle, poisonous theories ” (98). Dorian did not of that. The next day he listened to what Harry had to say and believed him. Secondly, he changed his original view of the picture from good to evil. Dorian is just going to indulge in sin and not feel remorse. He caused the death of Sybil and could even feel the pain that he should be feeling. Dorian just been immune to every form of pain and will enjoy all the benefits it comes with.

“Everyone likes him, and I… love him […] Prince Charming, my wonderful lover” (Wilde71).

Both Sybil and Dorian are taken their emotions to the extreme. They claim to be in love with each other but they certainly do not know what love is. Nothing they say about each is something that validates grounds for love. They see beauty in each other but it could be nothing but physical attraction. What they are displaying is nothing but another foolish high school relationship. The perfect representation of this was in the Valentine’s Day movie, in the depiction of Willy and Felicia’s relationship played by Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift. Their relationship was not based on anything but looks. They were to good looking teenager you happen to fall into a relationship. This is exactly what Dorian and Sybil are doing. Sybil does not even know Dorian’s name but she is engaged to him. It is certainly charming that she refers to him as Prince Charming. It is a little ridiculous because the first thing most people do when they first meet is exchange names. They are not taking marriage very seriously. Dorian says that marriage is “an irrevocable vow” (82). Marriage is a vow for the rest of one’s life and knowing someone for a couple of days does not give one enough time to make such an important decision. Dorian wants to be Romeo but Romeo lived a week after his encounter with love. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy, no one knows if they would still love each other after a month or a year.

“Yes Dorian, you will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you have never had the courage to commit” (84).

Henry is like Dorian Dark angel. He pushes the poor guy towards sin and indulgences, even when Dorian tries his best to push of but he still comes back. Henry method resembles those of Chillingworth. Because, Henry in a way is destroying who Dorian is just based on a social experiment and amuses him. Dorian is a puppy at Henry’s mercy and will never escape the arm that is already done because it is internal damage. Henry single handedly destroyed any change Dorian has to a normal life. Even if Henry was no longer in his life Dorian would probably still will be bounded to his word. Dorian is stuck in a cycle of self destruction and he does not even know it. Dorian does not understand the gravity of the situation he is in. He is no longer practicing virtues and his vices but he does not know it. One must wonder, what would Dorian do when he learns he is nothing but a social experiment and that his soul did not mean anything to one of his close friends.

“That it was through certain word of his, musical words said with musical utterance, that Dorian Grey’s soul had turned to this white girl and bowed in worship before her. To an extent the lad was his own creature” (Wilde 61).

Dorian who strive to be like Henry is slowly loosing himself in the mix. He no longer has is own personality left. Even if the readers never able the go in depth into his character but now there is a chance we might never know who the really Dorian Grey is. He has fallen into the shadows of Henry’s character and he is down the path of self destruction, if he continues to indulge in Henry’s words. When he met Henry’s wife she was able to see that Dorian’s opinions were not his but that of her husband: “Ah! that is one of Harry’s views, isn’t it, Mr. Grey? I always hear Harry’s views from his friends” (49). This is an important thing for Henry because when Dorian succumbed to his ideas he gains a greater since satisfaction. Someone is slowly loosing themselves to become him has to be rewarding, especially when he previously said that no one can be influenced: “To influence a person is to give him one’s own soul. He does not think his natural thoughts, or burn with his natural passion” (20). This is exactly what he has done to Dorian. Dorian no longer thinks on his own everything is influenced by Henry. Something as precious as his emotions, were poisoned by Harry.

“I cannot help telling you things. You have a curious influence over me. If I ever did a crime, I would come and confess it to you. You would understand me” (56).

One must wonder how Othello would turn out if he never met Iago or Macbeth if never met the three withes. It could be infer that they would had never met there tragic end because their tragic flaws would not have been awakened in the first place. If Iago never corrupted Othello’s mind he would not kill Desdemona for being a whore. If Macbeth never had met the witches telling him that he would become king he probably would had never killed the king in the first place. Just like Dorian and Henry, if Dorian never had met Henry he probably would have never made the bargain with the photo. Meeting Henry was a pivotal moment in Dorian’s life. From the moment he met Henry, Dorian’s life was changed forever. I cannot infer what would happen to Dorian at the end but like the example that had come before him; the ending will not something anyone would applaud. He is probably going to take Henry’s advice to, “Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensation” (25). Good never come out of yielding into ones temptation. Life is about balance and once the balance between good and bad is significantly tipped on one side it is not good, especially when is tipped towards evil.

“He stood there motionless and in wonder, dimly conscience that Hallward was speaking to him, but not catching the meaning of his words. The sense of beauty came on him like a revelation” (Wilde 27).

Dorian Grey fell into the worst stage of his life, with his short encounter with Lord Henry. For the many years he has wondered on this earth, no one was able to change his life as much as Lord Henry was able to, during the short conversation they had. Henry first starts his conversation with Dorian with his peculiar view on influence: “There is no such thing as a good influence…All influence is immoral” (19). The short exchanging of words between both of characters changed Dorian for the rest of his life. For the first time in his life he realizes that his beauty is only temporary, and that one day he would grow old. Henry instilled in him the idea that there will be mockery that will come out it. For so long Dorian was a naïve young man who enjoyed life and now his innocence was murdered by Lord Henry’s word. No one knows how this will change Dorian but one thing is certain that Henry was a defying moment in his life. Base on his obsession, one can infer that Dorian will not take the idea that his beauty is not everlasting lightly. He will retaliate or even follow Henry’s advice to yield into temptation and not squander his youth. This must mean that Henry might be the reason for Dorian end and it will most likely be a very tragic end.

In the Preface of The Picture something the of Dorian Gray talks about beauty and beauty is something that is changing but at the some time staying the same. A better way to view beauty is in a objective and subjective. Things like the Mona Lisa or the Sistine Chapels are things that are considered object or art for centuries. Someone has to be truly insane to not consider these thing of pure of objects of beauty. Oscar Wilde even says, “Those who find beautiful meaning in beautiful things are the cultivated”( Wilde1). This goes to show that some things are naturally beautiful and man kind have a duty to realize that. There is subjective beauty which is ever changing. One of the prominent things is women. What make a beautiful women has change throughout history. What makes a beautiful women now was different back in the Middle Age and will probably change the years to come.

“The sun, but little its meridian, shone down upon the clergyman, and gave a distinctiveness to his figure, as he stood out from all the earth, to put in his plea of guilty at the bar of Eternal Justice” (Hawthorn 227).

Arthur Dimmesdale finally gained enough courage to finally face his worst critiques, and with his guilty plea he was able to gain salvation. It is saddening and also very uplifting to know that his parting words with the world were the confession of his greatest sin. It is heartbreaking that his confession came at the end of his life, because he never had a chance to know his daughter or be at her wedding, and never the chance leave a peaceful life, without torment. All things are not bad because for the first time in seven year Dimmesdale was the man he felt in the inside. They were no longer a disparity between whom he felt in the inside and who he truly was. He no longer felt like the hypocrite who was revered as the pinnacle of goodness and religion. No one is perfect and he was finally able to show that to the people of Boston. The most important thing Dimmesdale learned was that the worst people can obtain salvation. Because when he spent his final hour on the scaffold he told Hester that, “He [God] is merciful” (229). Like Proctor, Dimmesdale was able to find redemption and subsequently Dimmesdale was able to find freedom.

“Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!” (231).

Being true to yourself is a great life lesson that all should learn, no one is truly perfect and never will we ever. The only thing we can do is try the best we can possibly achieve and God will take care of the rest. It is unhealthy for people to hold in emotions like Dimmesdale did because he became trap and allowed his feeling to dictate is life. Dimmesdale became so wrath up in his sentiment that he became blinded by the truth. Also the fact that he held on to these feeling for so long that it was one of the dominating factors of his death. Another person who was not truthful to themselves and died was Roger Chillingworth. He also concentrated a great deal of time and passion in carrying out his evil plan that when Dimmesdale died he was exhausted and had no stamina to go on. Something that every ironic about this quote is that is goes against Puritan teaching, because the Puritans belief that they are without sin.

“The excitement of Mr. Dimmesdale’s feeling, as he returned from his interview with Hester, lent him unaccustomed physical energy” (Hawthorn 194).

There is not power which is greater than the power of love. Genuine love can healing emotional pain more than any medicine can. When Dimmesdale met with Hester from that small meeting he was able to gain a little bit of energy. From Hester he was able to feel a small amount an inner peace which made him happy. For one she is the only person he could talk to about the incident and she accepted and loved him for all he was. If, I were Chillingworth I to would hate such a man. Dimmesdale is able to bring joy into the life of the very woman he adored with all his might. The very thing Chillingworth wanted to destroy in Dimmesdale he was able acquire from Hester. This mean that Dimmesdale’s crushed spirit could be healed, under the watchful eye of love and not of evil. Not until this moment, they were not sufficient evidence that showed that their sin was conceived under the sheet of love and good interest. Adultery is a great sin but is not love a greater virtue. Are not ones intention hold more value than their actions?

"She had possessed a singular variety, and could transform her mobile physiognomy into a series of different aspect, with a new mischief in them" (191).

Pearl’s thought process is very constrictive in a way. She is very logical in same ways. For example, she does not understand why she has to pretend not knowing Dimmesdale for a time then after a time she should. Or why stand on the scaffold with him at night not in the day and until she complete understands she retaliates against her mother. Some times Hester disciplines her and other times she just takes in what Pearl has to say about her. One of these instances was in the forest when Hester took of her scarlet letter and let down her hair. She tells her mother to put it up on put back the scarlet letter back. It was like she wanted her mother to sad and depressed all the time. When she find a little bit of happiness it like Pearl want to take it away out of pure jealousy: "the jealousy that seem instinctive with every petted child towards a dangerous rival" (191). Pearl might feel threaten by the feelings Hester held for Dimmesdale. In a way, what Pearl is doing to her mother is like Chillingworth's relationship with Dimmesdale. They are there to push and remind them of their crime. Even when Dimmesale and Hester try to run away they are there to sunk them back into their misery.

“A story about the Black Man... How e haunts and carries a book with him a heavy book... and they are to write their names with their own blood” (Hawthorn 167).

No one really knows about Pearl’s insightful ways. She seems to know things that most kids her age would understand or even care about. She is an exaggerated character because she does not child like traits. She not the type of kid who jus cries or teases adults. She is there to guide the reader and at times she points out the very obvious and other give powerful insights on a character. She knows everything right from wrong, truths from lies, and good and evil by just looking at people; but at the same time she makes weird and outrageous claims. When she told her mother about the Black Man, and his book in the forest. Although true but how would she know this. Hawthorns young character a there to serve a purpose but he characterize the speech or some times their action as of an adults. Nonetheless, no one really knows about kids during that time period but it is doubtful they comprehended the world around them so well. When reading about them it is like they are not real.


“I have laughed, in bitterness and agony of heart, at the contrast between what I seem and what I am!” (173).

For Arthur Dimmesdale to accept his redemption it probably has to personally be announced to him by Jesus Christ himself. He is constantly beating himself up for something that he should probably have moved on from. If he carries the burden it is fine, a lot of things people do forgive themselves but never forget about it. Dimmesdale just let the whole tragedy run his whole entire life, so much that it is slowly killing him and making him vulnerably the Satan’s revenge. After the number of years that pass he shows of made a decision to free himself already. People like him do not feel like they could earn God’s love because they are not worthy. Out all people Dimmesdale should of know, it is said in the Bible and taught throughout religion except for few that God’s love is always there and all one has to do is ask for it. Dimmesdale is much more than worthy then God’s love. It is like he asks and asks for forgiveness and when it is given to him just turns away from it. The way you know that God has forgiven you is because He is gives you the courage and the opportunity to forgive yourself. Dimmesdale is just not taking these many opportunities he just laments and gets more and more sick and weak every day. If he opened his eyes he would see that the best thing that ever happen to Boston and he is the best clergymen ever because is leaves and understands the congregation’s struggles.

“They said that it [the scarlet letter] mean Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a women’s strength” (Hawthorn 146).

One of the many challenges that human beings face is finding meaning out of their tragedies, shortcomings, mistakes, and sins. In the novel Hester Prynne starts out as the most hated person in the town of Boston. None could look out Hester without belittling her. She was branded with the sign of shame and disgrace. No one would talk or come near her, and she was often used as an object of discipline. She simple had no purpose except to be an example of what not to be. Along with a great deal of courage and strength Hester was able to rise above her shame: “The letter was a symbol of her calling” (146). Hester was the Mother Teresa of her time. She helped to poor, the sick, the mourning, and everyone else who need help. She did not want recognition or praise for her actions. She gained respect from the people of her town. A Puritan society is supposed to so good that adultery would probably be one of the biggest crimes the town has encountered, and it is punished with the outmost severity. Earlier in the story a townsman says to Chillingworth when he first got to the town and Hester was on the scaffold, “To find yourself, at length, in a land where iniquity is searched out, and punished in sight of ruler and people, as here in our godly New England” (58). The puritans took pride in punishing Hester for her crime. To them this is the worst crime and it was not the most awful crime in the universe, but it was punished in such way that Hester was to loose her dignity and self-worth; and she did not. She had the power to change something so ugly to the essence of beauty through her good actions.

“‘It was myself! ... It was I, not less then he. Why hast thou not avenged me’” (156).

Once again Hester feels like her action are the roots of the prominent evil going on in the town. When she went to visit Dimmesdale, she was horrified by his state of health. The man was slowly dying from the inside out. Knowing that Chillingworth had a hand in the clergymen’s impairment, she confronted him about it. Hester believed that she had the right to confront Chillingworth because she was the one who sinned against him not Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale had not relations to Roger, and it was Hester who did and she feels like he should punish her. Also she plans to tell his secret because she will not be a bystander while the most evil crime is being committed in the town. Then again Chillingworth was going to change his mind just because Hester told him so. He felt like Arthur Dimmesdale owned him a lot, while when he first started on this searched he told her that he was going to find the person that wronged them both and make him pay. It was not longer about the two of them but just about him. Roger was acting like a stuck up young who thinks that everything is about them. He thinks the Dimmesdale is turning to a fiend but it was his own selfishness. By destroying Dimmesdale’s soul he is also destroying his own soul.

“It was to this latter class of men that Mr. Dimmesdale, by many trait of character, naturally belonged. To the high mountain-peaks of faith and sanctity he would have climbed… whatever it might it might be, of crime or anguish, beneath which it was his doom to totter. It kept him down, on a level with the lowest; him, the man with eternal attributes” (Hawthorn 129).

Beside his crime, Dimmesdale was someone destined for greatness. All his natural traits are those of someone who would be a good priest and the people of Boston were well aware of that. The relationship between Dimmesdale and people was of that of two lovers. Has much the people loved him, Dimmesdale loved them right back. He would not want to do anything to hurt them. Why would he want to hurt people who “fancied him the mouthpiece of Heaven’s messages of wisdom, and rebuke, and love. In their eyes, the very ground on which he trod was sanctified” (130). If these people found out the Dimmesdale had committed one of the greatest sins it would probable hurt them so much that it might even kill them. The love that Dimmesdale felt for the people could be compared to our understanding of God’s love. God love us so much that he is in agony when we sin and turn away from him. To find out the person you revered the most was not perfect could send chock wave throughout the colony, especially in a theocracy. Priests and Dimmesdale in particularly was the closest they will ever be to God on earth. If this happened in today’s society it would be shocking but Dimmesdale could have a chance to influence many people besides his sin some would say he is only human to justify his shortcomings. Today the Christian church offers redemption but they did not in the Puritan theocracies.

“If the universe were gazing at a scarlet token on his naked breast, right over his heart” (134-135).

When reader go first dive into Dimmesdale’s character, their first impression is that he is a coward and a big hypocrite. The readers just assume that there was a disparity between who put forth as being and who he truly is but they soon discover that Dimmesdale is a good and generous person. When comparing Dimmesdale to someone like Chilingworth who looks like a good physician but he is really conspiring with the devil to destroy someone’s soul. Even, the way the public reacts to them gives us insight in who these men are. For Chilingworth some view him as two things a fantastic person and others the Devil in the flesh. He was able to fool some of these people but no all of them, but when it comes to Arthur Dimmesdale he is loved by all across the board. Because people know that he is a great person. Hawthorn’s audience may have thought they knew that Dimmesdale was nothing more than a hypocritical man and Chilingworth the hero who would unmask him. Nonetheless, it was a mistake on the parts of the readers because he feels horrible for his action. He feels so terrible for his actions that he has the scarlet letter branded on his chest right over his heart as a constant reminder that he is a sinner against the town, Hester and Pearl and himself.

“Come away mother! Come away, or yonder old Black Man will catch you! He hath got the hold of the minister already… he will catch you! But he cannot catch little Pearl” (Hawthorn 122).

Even if a lot of people think ill of Pearl. One must wonder if she is not a gift from God. From just looking at the minister and Chillingworth he was able to see that Chillingworth was a diabolical man. She knew that he had taking over the minister and might even come for her mother. It is peculiar that the small child was able to uncover Chillingworth’s plans so easily but reverend was not able to see it coming for himself. Ever since Chillingworth has been working with the clergymen, his health started deteriorating. Chillingworth came to do one thing in the town of Boston and it was the devil’s work. He embodies the devil spiritual and physically but also as a supreme judge or god. Because what he really did was look at Dimesdale sin and punished him as he best see fit. Chillingworth came and did exactly what he going to do, and was avenge it lost.

“ Representing the Scriptural story of David and Bathsheba” (115).
The depiction of Nathan the Prophet denouncing David adulterous affair with Bathsheba goes well with this story. Because David who was king and well reverend and respected had an affair with a beautiful married women. To making sure that her husband was not going to come back he puts him at the front line of battle so he could easily be killed. Nonetheless, David paid his dues because he lost his the child he had wit Bathsheba. What does this say about Dimmesdale he is going to loose is child or is he going to pay a high price for his action? The reader could infer for now that that he might pay this price with his own soul that Chilingworth is planning on destroying. Nonetheless in the Bible David was a good and prosperous king. He did a lot for the advancement of his people and is now known as one of the great kings of Israel.

“ God gave me the child… She is my happiness!- she is my torture, non the less… Ye shall not take her! I will die first” (Hawthorn 103).

After she has lost everything in her life Hester has only one thing to hold on to, and it is her daughter Pearl. Pearl is the greatest treasure that Hester has ever received in her life and she would let no one separate them. When someone is in complete isolation the smallest things have a great deal of meaning to them and Pearl is Hester’s life line. Pearl is like an escape for her mother. Hester takes care of her and centers her life around Pearl and if the reverends were to take Pearl away from Hester she would have nothing to live for. The amount of shame Hester feels is equivalent to how much she loves her daughter. In a town where she is constantly feeling constantly reminded of her actions, it is easy for her to turn around it around into loving her daughter. In her life Hester has two things to remind her of her crime. One is towns’ people and the other her daughter. The people of Boston reject Hester and make her feel worthless, while her daughter loves and value her mother. If they were to take Pearl away from her, she will no longer be dependent of her Hester and probably will not values her as much. After, a few years in the care of the Puritans she will reject the very person who loved her because of her sin. To Hester that itself would be death.

“ The young minister, on ceasing to speak, had withdrawn a few steps from the group, and stood with his face partially concealed… while the shadow of his figure… was tremulous with vehemence of his appeal” (105).

It is evident to the readers that Reverend Dimmesdale felt a great spur of agony, when Hester turn to him for help when the other reverend wanted to take her child away. When the argument ended, he feels ashamed of his cowardice and hid behind a curtain. It must kill him to see the amount of courage it takes for Hester to get through one simple day as an outcast; while he is still living a normal life of as someone who is constantly revered for his good judgment and righteousness. While there is a great disparity between who comes of as being and who he truly is. Dimmesdale is stuck in the whole situation because if the punishment was not so great maybe he would have had confess. He want to be strong and do what is right but who wants to stand on a scaffold and watch as people who once liked you turn against you. Nonetheless, he does not understand that the only was he could be freed from all the anguish he feels is through confession and punishment. For one he will not longer be a hypocrite. Another problem Dimmesdale has is that he wears his heart on his sleeve. After, arguing Hester’s case he goes in corner and becomes overwhelmed by the situation, even when he was speaking to her on the scaffold he displays a lot of intense emotion that some would read as nothing but for someone as dexterous as Chillingworth that raise some red flags: “ You speak, my friend, with a strange earnestness” (105). Dimmesdale need to control his emotion around his new found friend because Chillingworth is seeking revenge and it appears that a friendship would not come in his way.

“ She [Hester] would become general symbol at which preacher and moralist migt point, in which they might vivify and vivify and embody their images of woman’s fralty and sinful passion ” (Hawthorn 73)

It is the most stupefying thing to witness is when someone is being outcast, especially in a theocracy. A place where the people of God settled, a place where the Bible is the most important thing, and a place where religion is at heart of everything, why then it is that people do act without merci. Why is it they are so eager to cast the first stone when they know they had sin. It would be something that is universally known, but these people, that they should probably mimic Jesus’ work because He is the only human example of what children of God should act like. Jesus did not see revenge nor did he bring public humiliation to those who have sinned. In the Bible it say to love you neighbors as you loved your self and the Bible also thought not to judge other: “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Matthew 7:3). The people in the town of Boston are so quick to use Hester as example for sin, while they too could be used to describe sin. There sins may not have been as worst as Heater’s but no one knows what moral thought went into her actions. One’s intentions count more in the eyes of God than one’s actions. The Puritan seemed to have accepted the Christian teaching that suits their purpose best rather than accepting the Bible and Jesus Christ for all that they are.

“But she named the infant ‘Pearl’ being of great price- purchased with all she had, - her mother’s only treasure!” (Hawthorn 81).

Even if the world around her seems to despise her and her child Hester could ask for more what Hester had brought to her is probably worth her sin. None can really understand Pearl’s meaning to her because most of the Puritans did not feel the humiliation Pearl brought to Hester, if she never had Pearl Hester’s life would probably had been much easier. She probably would have had a stable home and friends and would be walking among the hypocrites of Boston. Nonetheless, she had her misfortune who turned to be one of the best things that happened to her: “God, as a direct consequence of the sin which man thus punished, had given her a lovely child” (81). People punish Hester for being an adulteress while she feels that God had blessed her. Also what make Hester’s love for Pearl so great because of the sacrifices she made. Every day for the rest of her life Hester will be look on with shame but Hester will not let these people dictate her faith because she seems determined to rise above the agony and something good out of herself.

“‘Thy acts are like mercy…But thy words interpret thee as terror!’”(Hawthorn 71).

One can image the state of shock that Roger Chillingworth must be feeling when he comes to Boston. After being away for quite some time, he did not have envisioned the reunification with his wife would be watching her on a scaffold being punished for being an adulteress with a baby in her arms. The woman he had taken in his heart to bring him warmth and comforting has betrayed him, and Roger is not willing to be associated her. When he came to town, he pretended to not her. Nonetheless, Roger was no quite ready to completely abandon scandal. He had a small thing to handle and this was figuring out who was the other culprit in destroying his marriage and his life. This is the terrifying promise he made to Hester. Roger is like a man on a mission, he will not rest until he gets what he wants. In contrast to his startling words, Roger showed much pity on toward Hester and the baby. He comes as a physician and examines the baby. Roger is perceived as an honest and kind man who deserved the best a woman can offer. The fact that her husband was such good person who does not desire much from anyone evokes sympathetic feels towards him by the readers, and even Hester feels the pain she had brought upon him.


“‘It is to deeply branded. Ye cannot take it off. And would that I endure his agony as mine!’” (64).

From what Hester has said one can infer small things like the father of her child might be in a high position and respect by the colony. If she was to tell who it was, it would have derailed the whole colony because he is probably one people trust and might cause hysteria. As history has proven in various settings it is much easier to blame a woman of mediocre or inferior descent than it is a man of a lofty position. What happen between these two people is impossible to be written of but Hester is the one suffering the public humiliation, while the adulterer’s cowardice is keeping him from speaking up. What is interesting is that Hester says she will endure the pain for the both of them, which could mean that she might be in love with him. The public disgrace might be a small price to pay to protect him. Conjuring with the small information one can assume that has much she would want to suffer the agony for the both of them she would not be able to. Because her paramour must know that he had sin against the church and probably his own moral code just like John Procter, and his personal shame would be as great Hester’s public shame.

The Scarlet Letter

“A penalty, which… would infer a degree of mocking infamy and ridicule, might then be invested with almost as a stern a dignity as the punishment itself” (Hawthorne 47).
From the very beginning of the novel one can infer that the account will be about sin, and how it is dealt with. In a Puritan society there is no room for error, for even the smallest things one can receive harsh and unreasonable. Kids could be given, “Over to the civil authority… to be corrected at the whipping post” (47). The Puritans are trying to breed a society with filled with flawless individuals, and completely ignoring the fact that not anyone was born perfect. In their quest to achieve perfection, the Puritan set high and faulty goals for themselves; goals they will never be able to reach. Hester Prynne who committed the crime of lechery is used as example for all the other towns’ people. She exemplified shame and immorality. Hester is ostracized by society, she no longer was perceived as human being but just as a disciplinary instrument. Even Hester tries to block out her misfortune it hard for her to forget all that is going on around her because she put on pedestal just she could torn to shreds.


“What is it but laugh in the faces of our godly magistrates, and make pride out of what they… meant for a punishment?” (50).

When Hester come out of prison, most were in aw. They saw that she was not torn down by her punishment. When she exited the prison, Hester was a little frazzled but within her was a small beacon of hope. She anticipated that hostel feelings towards her but she was going to triumph over them. The fact that she is came out the penitentiary looking like someone as a fine looking person troubled most of the towns’ people. Hester was trying to stand tall and not block out the people; nonetheless, that was not enough fortitude to help her cause. Because the people berated her self-esteem with there hateful looks, words, and actions. I predicted that Hester will try to rise above just being an adulterous woman, even if things might not turn out to be great but she will gain self satisfaction. She might even be John Proctor who gained something out of his terrible mistake.

Coralie Casimir
A.P English
Mr. George
January 4, 2010
Essay
A Laborious Journey to God
In his novel The Crucible Arthur Miller describes the Puritan society as an inverted group of people. In the town of Salem most men, women, and children in the play are living a phony life filled with lies and extortion, which was far from their ideology. The chosen people of God seemed to have become hypocrites, liars, and selfish people. In this world of treachery there were still a few upright people, and one of them was John Proctor. As a protagonist, John Proctor was an honest and out spoken man, with one fatality; his lechery with Abigail Williams. In his struggle to gain salvation John look first to people for his redemption. Fearing the eyes of God John does not dare look to Him for salvation for most of the novel. He was constrained with the belief that there was no ritual for the washing away of sin. It did not matter how remorseful someone was, the Puritan belief stated that they had to live with the sin forever and nothing they did would help them get rid of their bad deeds. John Proctor was able to find his road to redemption by moving away from Puritanism and personalizing his religion, from there he was able to become a laudable man who is ready to accept God’s grace.
John Proctor fell short from salvation because he did not believe that he was worthy of God’s salvation. John looked to people for salvation but never to whom it truly mattered. He went to his wife and the court to find some form reconciliation with himself but he was rejected. Even if they forgave him, deep inside he would never have the redemption he wanted. The key factor to Proctor’s redemption was that he had to forgive himself: “He was sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own vision of decent conduct” (Miller 20). Proctor believed because he had committed adultery that his religious life was over and he was bounded to go to hell. Proctor failed to realize that he was not perfect and like every other person, he made mistakes. It was a big mistake but nonetheless he was sorry for what he had done.
Proctor never was able to recognize his own goodness while the readers were easily able to see him as an honest man. This was noticeable because Arthur Miller surrounded him with a bush of wicked characters, who were only looking out for themselves. Their only good trait was that they were good enough actors and pretended to be good people. Arthur Miller made it much easier for his audience to sympathize with John because he was constantly looking for salvation. Because he is surrounded by foes like Abigail Williams or Reverend Parris who were exploiting people through their powers, it was easy to feel sympathy for an honest man with one fatal flaw.
One thing key component keeping John Proctor from gaining salvation was self realization which he gained at the end of the play. Up until the final scenes of the story he still did not believe that he deserved God’s salvation. Even his wife Elizabeth noticed it: “John, it come to naught that I should forgive you, if you’ll not forgive yourself” (136). Proctor did not believe in himself or the weight of his name. Proctor believed that he was worse than he truly was, while many looked to him for direction; even the court looked to his name to justify their careless actions. Nevertheless, he did not understand that he had to be a martyr to stop the ridiculous witch hunt going on in Salem.
Another thing that was keeping him from his redemption was his obsession with finding salvation. When he did not find it the way he wanted, he simply gave up and signed his name over to the Devil: “I am no saint… Let Rebecca go like a saint; for me it is a fraud” (138). Nonetheless, at that exact moment he understood that salvation did come from man but from God, that he was worthy of being saved, and most importantly that was the only way to stop the witch hunt. He said “I cannot mouth the gibbet like a saint” (136). On the other hand he decided to do just that so he can save other people of Salem. John had to know that the witch hunt did not center around him gaining salvation but million of people died for an unjust cause. He knew that his life was nothing when it came to the salvation he gained
From the beginning of the novel to the end John Proctor changed from being an overage Joe to a martyr for his conviction. John is like an average Joe because he is someone most people can relate to through his struggles. He is an honest man who provided for his family. He has a strong belief in religion and has strong moral stances. Similarly to everyone else he is not perfect; he has is flaws. His shortcoming might have been more fatal than most people’s but no one inherited the human trait of perfection. The simplicity of his character made it easy for the readers of the play understand his struggle to salvation. Also the fact that he is a character that most could comprehend made him like an average Joe.
John Proctor changed from being a simple person to a martyr for his conviction because he was willing a die to save the innocent soul of others. It took loosing everything and especially his name for Proctor to recognize that his salvation was in his hand and not in the hand of others. His sins and religious life was between himself and God, not between himself and the public’s opinion: “God sees my name; God know how black my sins are! It is enough” (142). This was how John had gained his salvation. To gain redemption he had asked God for forgiveness. With deliverance from his sin he also acquired selflessness. There he decided that his life had no value if he stayed alive. If died, his existence would count for much more.
Through the novel, John was able to embody true Christianity. He was not a perfect man but he sought forgiveness. One thing about Proctor was that he personalized his religion. If he did not agree with something he did not participate in it. For instance, he did not believe that Parris was giving God the reverence He deserved so he stopped going to church. In his way, John Proctor redefined his religious belief.
People tried to form all kind of utopias but when there is a crack in the foundation it all falls apart. They will always be fallacies in the human race; no one is born perfect. Perfection is not attainable in the human race. So it is evident that John Proctor. John was a man looking for redemption. At first he look for it in the wrong places like in his wife or the court but not to God. What brought upon Proctor’s redemption was that he stopped looking to the public eye for salvation but himself and untimely God. The way he perceived his religion was revolutionary for a man of his time. He understood the relationship man and God, while many of neighbors’ relationship with God was between man and man because they cared more about the public opinion rather than about God’s rightful opinion.












Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York: Viking Penguin Inc, 1953