Catarina Bernardes

Henry David Thoreau once wrote: Aim for morality: be not simply good; be good for something. Throughout American Literature, many men and women have achieved greatness. Whether it deals with the forces of good and evil, one restraining oneself from an Equalized society, justifying the value of ones name, seeking a form of Transcendentalism, the American Dream through romance, or even individualism, it is proven that many characters, within these works of literature, are substantiated as forms of heroism and achievement. The brilliant writers who exemplify these morals are Nathanial Hawthorne, Ayn Rand, Scott Fitzgerald, Arthur Miller, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Nathanial Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter. The Scarlet Letter is a classic American novel. In this novel of gothic romance, and mystique, Hawthorne critiques the Puritanical times by displaying the overall hypocrisy. The setting is taken place during the Puritanical time period, whereas sinning holds numerous controversies, and punishments to fellow Puritans. During this time period, women had a high expectation to remain proper, elegant, and gentile. Hestor Prynne is the protagonist of the story. In the introduction to the story, Prynne exists out of a Prison, and stands, on a Scaffold, before society. Prynne is infamous for committing adultery. In consequence, this sin is a crime that leads to mortification and ignominy for Prynne. However, she still stands dignified, ignoring the rest of the villagers. Throughout the story, Prynne wheres a Scarlet Letter a on her bosom. At first, Hawthorne leads his readers to believe that the letter a symbolizes the word adultery. The Scarlet Letter a, however, represents the meaning of the word ambiguity, also known as not clearly defined. Not only is the representation of ambiguity reflected on the symbolic meanings in the novel, but it is also displayed through the characters. Needless to say, Hestor Prynne herself is mystical and ambiguous, along with her daughter Pearl, who is the effect to her crime, and Reverend Dimmsdale, who is the link to her crime.

Arthur Miller wrote the play, The Crucible. Like the Scarlet Letter, The Crucible is set during the Puritanical time period. The Crucible, however, is more associated with The Salem Witch Trials, in which women were accused for evoking spells on others. John Proctor, a man who is guilty of infidelity and adultery, gets involved in the controversy concerning the

accusations of the Salem Witch Trials. ~Those who seek heroism, vow against societys beliefs, for they stick to their own beliefs. Catarina

The most audacious people fight for what he/she believes in, regardless of the circumstance.