A Modern Puritan

In two stories this year we've see the craziness and disorder of the Puritan lifestyle, but still marvel at their abilities to keep it together for over a hundred years. Where do we see this formula for success or failure in today's world? It's not an easy answer because the ideas of the Puritans are so outdated. Even the strictest of Orthodox religions do not compare to the 1700's Puritans. They are peaceful, together, and very sure of their beliefs. The Puritans lacked every single one of these ideas. But the monotonous, crazy and back-stabbing is seen no where else in today's society than the cubicles.
Think about it. Monotonous lifestyle, check. The Puritans were boring. No fun was allowed. The same strict schedule was followed every single day. The 9-5 life surely doesn't lack in the excitement department. The backstabbing, check. People are evil in the workplace. It's a race to the top. The depicted ideals of the cubicle life defines a pathological lie-fest where the meanest get the promotion. Nice guys finish last in Puritan life (John Proctor) and they sure do too in The work place.
Whether or not its what you want to do, you have to realize that the 9-5 cubicle working life is nothing short of the Puritan "dream". But is that what anyone wants to be? I think the history of Salem and the Scarlett Letter plot show that this "dream" is not what we want to live in.

The Original Stooge: John Proctor

The first tidbit of information we learn about the man, the myth and the legend John Proctor is that he is a man with in a "so-called" dedicated relationship, yet has an affair with a, to put in lightly, lustful affair with Abigail Williams. Already the reader should be cautious of the character. I personally can't be a fan of the "above the law" protagonist that everyone else seems to like. I should have to figure out what type of person your main character is, you shouldn't have to tell me as the author. Nevertheless, John Proctor's ability to get the respect from the entirety of a town on pins and needles is pretty impressive. However, he still can't be confined by the religious rules of Salem. If you really wanted to live the farmer's lifestyle, have a happy life with your wife and children and never have to worry about a thing in the world, why would you put yourself in Salem, the strictest town in the nation? His carefree attitude sets me off throughout the entirety of the play, and the way he is portrayed in the film gives me the same impression. To every stooge, there are redeeming qualities. He is the person who would take the bullet for you if he wanted to. The way he intervenes in the play, taking the blame and not letting Abigail walk over the town is impressive to any one. He was the "Hero" of the town, in that sense. But do not let a man's best moment define him. Remember the type of person who he really is. A careless man who continues to either override his authority or do nothing to help a situation. In my eyes, John Proctor is the original stooge.

Clash

Clash. To summarize American, European and World History read through a non-fiction lense you really only need one word. Pyschological clash shines in both World Wars and through the slander and mass propaganda used in the French Revolution. We also see belief-based clash, be it the constant struggle of the Holy Land or the Crusades. But when it comes to Medieval Europe or Big Bad America today, we cannot take our eyes off of the physical clash that happens on a daily basis.

If there is any prime example of a brutal physical clash in history, it shouldn't take very long to find one.
 Columbus was a murderer, albeit an explorer as well. He is credited with the discovery of today's finest nation yet we forget who was here first: The people running your casinos. Isn't that sad? Isn't it ridiculous that a European explorer was able to  take abuse and take control of thousands of people who were living in a utopia 10,000 years prior? But what could they have done? It was an inevitable fate for the natives and the world's culture has learned from it. If a group of people become content with their technological and educational advancements for even a moment, another group can take them to the grave if they please.

Most Americans feel remorse for the natives, as if we could have lived in harmony, but that is simply not the case. The ability for Columbus to mop the floor with hundreds of cultures proved that we needed more, we were "destined" for greater. And the Europeans were greater. Would we be sharing the same thoughts over this website if the natives had fought back, if they had won? I think not.

The Original Stooge: John Proctor

The first tidbit of information we learn about the man, the myth and the legend John Proctor is that he is a man with in a "so-called" dedicated relationship, yet has an affair with a, to put in lightly, lustful affair with Abigail Williams. Already the reader should be cautious of the character. I personally can't be a fan of the "above the law" protagonist that everyone else seems to like. I should have to figure out what type of person your main character is, you shouldn't have to tell me as the author. Nevertheless, John Proctor's ability to get the respect from the entirety of a town on pins and needles is pretty impressive. However, he still can't be confined by the religious rules of Salem. If you really wanted to live the farmer's lifestyle, have a happy life with your wife and children and never have to worry about a thing in the world, why would you put yourself in Salem, the strictest town in the nation? His carefree attitude sets me off throughout the entirety of the play, and the way he is portrayed in the film gives me the same impression. To every stooge, there are redeeming qualities. He is the person who would take the bullet for you if he wanted to. The way he intervenes in the play, taking the blame and not letting Abigail walk over the town is impressive to any one. He was the "Hero" of the town, in that sense. But do not let a man's best moment define him. Remember the type of person who he really is. A careless man who continues to either override his authority or do nothing to help a situation. In my eyes, John Proctor is the original stooge.