Night Critical Lens Essay

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Critical Lens Essay

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort and convenience,but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” This quote by Martin Luther King Jr. shows a persons true strength when he or she is put into uncomfortable situations that test their typical way of thinking.The decision he or she ultimately makes, shows if they are capable of overcoming the obstacles and consequences that life throws at them and doing the right thing.The truth in this statement is seen throughout “Night” By Elie Wiesel and “The Crucible “By Arthur Miller.For Eliezer,he was faced with many challenges that tested his strength and his values.While for character John Proctor, was faced with the decision to save his good name or make the right decision and save his wife.
In The Crucible, John Proctor’s affair with his past servant girl,Abigail, creates an inner conflict within himself.He has committed the sin of adultery which is a big deal in a puritan society such as Salem.His wife,Elizabeth is surprisingly forgiving of his sin.John knows what he has done is wrong and feels guilty about it but does not want to risk his good name by confessing.The affair between John and Abigail caused the start of chaotic witchery and accusations after she was caught in the woods by Parris,conjuring spirits. After the affair, Abigail became horribly jealous of Elizabeth Proctor. Proctor realizes there is only one way to stop all the witch hysteria in Salem, and that would be to confess his sin of adultery. Although he knows he should, he continues to be determined not to confess.While in a argument with Elizabeth tells John, “Go to salem now,John-let you go tonight”(Miller 56).John responds by telling Elizabeth “I have good reason to think before I charge fraud on Abigail, and I will think on it” (Miller 57). Proctor knows that the only
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