Crucible And Scarlet Letter Essay, Research Paper

Part IV Task The quote, "Our problems are manmade: therefore, they may be

solved by man? No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings." by

President John F. Kennedy, holds truth. In other words, we create our own

problems and make our own choices on how to solve them, in turn, controlling our

own destiny. This quote is proven in the play The Crucible, by Arthur Miller,

and in the novel The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Crucible by

Arthur Miller uses irony and theme to support the quote. A major theme was

jealousy, produced from Abigail. She was envious of Elizabeth’s marriage to John

Proctor. In order to solve her problem she chose to accuse Elizabeth of

witchcraft, hoping Elizabeth would be tried and executed. Irony was put into

play when John told the court that Elizabeth never lies, always telling the

truth no matter how consequential it can be. When a judge asked Elizabeth if her

husband actually committed adultery with Abigail she fabricated her first lie,

to protect her husband from shame. This lie concluded Abigail as the truthful

one, not confirming her husband’s position at all. Elizabeth went against her

beliefs to solve a hurried problem that did not allow her to solve it in the

manner she wished. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne uses

characterization and irony. The story line portrays strong characterization

within the physician. He devotes all of his time into finding out who had an

affair with his wife. Once he discovers whom it is, he is not satisfied, and

continues to taunt this man in order to make another life miserable. After a

confession was finally declared, the sole purpose of the physician’s life

diminished, which eventually killed him. At any duration, the doctor could have

accepted the truth and moved on with his life, yet he refused to. The Scarlet

Letter worn on Hester’s chest was a symbol of one who sinned. Hester was looked

down upon from others and constantly worried about the glance she received from

people. She let that affect her way of life. Finally she took her problem into

her own hands accepted the badge as a part of her, her courageous self. This

also ironically becomes a safe way for her daughter to recognize her mother by.

The quote by John F. Kennedy is accurate as proven in the play The Crucible and

the novel The Scarlet Letter. We create our own problems, controlling our own

destiny, through our own choices.