The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible - Comparison of Proctor and Dimmesdale
The decisions made by the character John Proctor, in The Crucible, and by Arthur Dimmesdale, in The Scarlet Letter, were very much alike. Throughout the entirety of both books, the similarities and differences between these two male characters, and the environments in which they lived, seemed to reflect back and forth quite generously. Also, the societies in which John Proctor and Arthur Dimmesdale lived in have a fair amount of topics that can be compared and contrasted together to further backup the fact that these men, despite their differences, were very similar.
Of the similarities between Proctor and Dimmesdale throughout the book the reader is told that these two men are relatively the same age, and living in approximately the same time period, the 1600s. In each Puritan society both men are well respected because of their role in the community.
The Scarlet Letter (1860) by T. H. Matteson. Oil o...
English: Hester Prynne & Pearl before the stocks
This is the title page for the first edition of Th...Dimmesdale is a well-known, and respected reverend, and Proctor is a well-respected farmer. Both men are involved with the church, however they both question their role in the theocracy in which they live. Dimmesdale as the reverend, or leader of the theocracy, questions his ability to be the leader of all of the people of the community. He could not see himself, a sinner under the eyes of God, leading a religion whose morals and standards were based upon not sinning. John Proctor on the other hand, rarely went to church, and was even criticized for his choice not to attend masses. Both men also hid their secret, which also is one and the same; they both have committed the crime of adultery. However, each man has concealed his sin, which for one person or another leads to death. John Proctor's silence of his...