Free Essays on Puritans

The earliest form of Puritan political correctness has greatly influenced the progression of American society. Past events have the ability to affect the reputation of the area in which they occurred throughout history. Distinguished events may become a model for future peoples. Notorious events may leave a stigma on the area. A region such as Nazi Germany is remembered today for the abhorrent Holocaust that took place there many years ago. As Germany is remembered for a certain event in the past, the Salem witch-hunt has left a dark mark in New England’s history. Paul Johnson, a historian, wrote an article for The Spectator on Puritan New England and the Salem witch-hunt. I both qualify and refute many of his ideas throughout the article. New England Puritans were led by their god to live humbly and dress modestly. They enforced their ideals in all aspects of life. Puritan society was very strict. Education was very important to those who wanted to preserve their central values. Religion was most important to the Puritans because they believed that God governed all. As Johnson states, the Salem witch-hunt was unnecessary. It is â€Å"the quintessential event of New England history†. It will forever be remembered that the witch-hunt took place there. Many innocent men and women were killed due to false accusations of witchcraft and communicating with the devil. Johnson believes that although it has been made public and discussed in politics for many years, it still remains peculiar to the region. I agree that many view the occurrence differently. Both ends of the â€Å"political spectrum† have different opinions. Some, as does Paul Johnson, believe that it was a horrible, needless event, and others belie ve that it can be justified in some ways. Today, there are also those who believe that it can be overlooked. I agree with Johnson’s statement that all will agree that it was excessive, irrational, pious, and moralistic. The Salem w... Free Essays on Puritans Free Essays on Puritans The earliest form of Puritan political correctness has greatly influenced the progression of American society. Past events have the ability to affect the reputation of the area in which they occurred throughout history. Distinguished events may become a model for future peoples. Notorious events may leave a stigma on the area. A region such as Nazi Germany is remembered today for the abhorrent Holocaust that took place there many years ago. As Germany is remembered for a certain event in the past, the Salem witch-hunt has left a dark mark in New England’s history. Paul Johnson, a historian, wrote an article for The Spectator on Puritan New England and the Salem witch-hunt. I both qualify and refute many of his ideas throughout the article. New England Puritans were led by their god to live humbly and dress modestly. They enforced their ideals in all aspects of life. Puritan society was very strict. Education was very important to those who wanted to preserve their central values. Religion was most important to the Puritans because they believed that God governed all. As Johnson states, the Salem witch-hunt was unnecessary. It is â€Å"the quintessential event of New England history†. It will forever be remembered that the witch-hunt took place there. Many innocent men and women were killed due to false accusations of witchcraft and communicating with the devil. Johnson believes that although it has been made public and discussed in politics for many years, it still remains peculiar to the region. I agree that many view the occurrence differently. Both ends of the â€Å"political spectrum† have different opinions. Some, as does Paul Johnson, believe that it was a horrible, needless event, and others belie ve that it can be justified in some ways. Today, there are also those who believe that it can be overlooked. I agree with Johnson’s statement that all will agree that it was excessive, irrational, pious, and moralistic. The Salem w... Free Essays on Puritans Man’s Deep Thoughts in Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening Robert Frost’s poem Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening is a poem that deals with the inner thoughts of a man. The speaker stops to soak in his surroundings on his way home. He begins to realize there are many beautiful things surrounding him. His thoughts begin to wander as he thinks about the snow, what the owner of the woods might think if he caught him stopping there, and what the horse thinks. The speaker of the poem stops to rest for a moment. While he is stopped, he begins to look around. He sees the snow and hears the wind: â€Å"of easy wind and downy flake† (line 12). He realizes that the woods are filling up with snow. This is a beautiful sight. The frozen lake is far from him and it is the darkest day of the whole year. As the speaker notices that the woods are filling up with snow, he begins to wonder â€Å"whose woods these are I think I know† (line1). This makes him wonder what the owner of the woods might think of his stopping out in the middle of the woods â€Å"between the woods and frozen lake† (line7). He soon reassures himself â€Å"the owner will not see me stopping here† (line 3) because his house is in the village though† (line 2). Next, he wonders what the horse thinks: â€Å"my horse must think it queer† (line 5). He is not stopped close to a farmhouse, and the only thing one can hear is the falling snow and the horse’s bells: â€Å"The horse shakes his bells to ask if there is a mistake; he gives his harness bells a shake to ask if there is some mistake†(lines 9-10). The horse is probably tired and wants to hurry home, so the stop puzzles him. The narrator stops to take in the beauty of the wintry surroundings. The whole scene that surrounds him has absolutely captivated his mind. The speaker thinks the woods are lovely, dark and deep. He also realizes that he must be on his way because he has promises to keep: â€Å"but I have pr...