The Transcendental Challenge

    The transcendentalists were known to practice living a simple life, one filled with nature and unmaterialistic things.  The greats that followed this philosophic idea included Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. They were both raised on the materialistic and prosperous ways of the Puritans, but they soon realized that to really achieve spiritual well-being you must have a close relationship with nature.

      I realized that this idea was popularized in the mid-1800s, almost a hundred and sixty years ago.  What if Thoreau and Emerson were alive today? Could they be able to escape to nature and follow their transcendental ways without a GPS to get them there, or an iPhone to instagram an edited picture of the beautiful scenery? Oh! And they can’t forget their North Face jackets to keep them warm!  My point is that in the 1800s escaping to nature free of materialism was so much easier because they had little.  If Thoreau and Emerson grew up in present day, a time of huge technological advances, then this idea of transcendentalism would be slightly different.  Sure, the ideas of optimism, freedom, and self-reliance would remain intact but cancelling out materialistic objects would probably have to go.  Think about it, how many things do we have but don’t really need, such as iPods, kindles, and designer clothes.  Now, think about how hard it would be to cut all of those things out of your life; I believe that Thoreau and Emerson would have just as hard of a time as you.  I challenge Thoreau and Emerson to try and live a transcendental life-style in our corrupt era where fashion is the Bible (Vogue) and football, instead of church, is on Sundays.

You Can Do It!

      Everyone has their moments; you try so hard to achieve your goal, but soon all you want to do is give up. Thomas Paine understood this struggle when he experienced the Continental Army about to accept their defeat and succumb again to British rule. Paine's essay was the army's savior.  It was the dead of winter (Christmas Eve) and they had retreated to the banks of the Delaware River. General George Washington knew that they had to cross the river or ultimately lose the war. Paine had written an essay the day before titled "The Crisis", persuading and lifting the spirits of the soldiers. Every soldier was to read it aloud and take the message to heart. He reminded them of what they were fighting for, "-- our homes turned into barracks and bawdy-houses for Hessians and a future race to provide for whose fathers we shall doubt of.  Look at this picture and weep on it!--"(Paine 251).  The British were tyrannical rulers who didn't have the colonies best interest in mind.

     I can relate to the soldiers and their hardships. Just today in my soccer game we were two goals down and everyone was about to give up.  I decided to be like Thomas Paine and motivate my "soldiers".  I made a quick run down the field and flicked a shot in past the goalie's head. My teammates went wild, regaining some belief that we still had a chance to defeat our opponent. 

    It is natural to feel defeated, but Thomas Paine teaches us all to disregard the voice in our heads and keep pushing through.  We have to remember what we are fighting for because once we realize our purpose, our strength to conquer has no limits.

What in the Name?!

                This past week we learned all about the Puritan way of life through the play The Crucible.  The Puritans were very strict people who worked hard.  They believed that if they never sinned and worked vigorously they would earn a seat in heaven.  The one thing that mattered most to them besides God was their names.  If their name was soiled, their whole livelihood was soiled.  Their reputations mattered so much to them because what others thought reflected back onto their religious life.  The people of Salem continuously looked for wrongs in others to put themselves ahead in the community. If one was considered a devil then they would be one less person to compete with for a place in heaven.

            One example of importance was when John Proctor confessed to being close with the devil.  He was all set to take the blame, until they made him sign his name to a paper that would be displayed on the church door. His reasons were "Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lied and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of those that hang!"(Miller 207). One may figure he chose to die instead of live a liar, but he lived a lie before when he cheated on Elizabeth. He could confess and help support his family, but no, he would rather die than live with a tainted name and reputation.  The crazy thing is, his wife, Elizabeth, is okay with John dying to save is name. I suppose the real question is: did john truly die a martyr? Or did he hang selfishly, not wanting to soil his name?

My Hatred of Abigail Williams Grows...

      

      I have learned a very important lesson while reading "The Crucible", I would never want to be a puritan or live in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.  This was a time where no one was safe; over night, innocent turned into guilty and dancing turned into witchcraft.  Everyone was suspicious of everyone.  In "The Crucible" the characters continuously turn on each other, each trying to protect their standing in a Puritan society.

     It is the absolute worst feeling in the world to not be taken seriously.  Mary Warren and John Proctor are both discredited by Abigail Williams, an insane girl trying to create hysteria in Salem.  I almost screamed and begged along with Mary Warren when Abigail was mocking her and pretending as though Mary's spirit was haunting her.  The Puritan courts were very unfair and most were ruled by experiences and stories, not fact. It is very unfortunate that in today's court system many innocent people are still put in jail.  In the movie "Shawshank Redemption", the main character is wrongly convicted of killing his wife and her lover even though he pleads innocent.  The main difference between then and now is that the punishment in the Puritan courts usually resulted in death.  Since Mary Warren fears for her life, she gives in to Abigail’s heckling and goes along with her evil plan, thus resulting in Proctor's downfall.  I believe that no matter what century you are in your own life comes first.  Abigail has a great understanding of this. She knows that as long as she remains in good favor with the court, all of the townspeople will join her side to stay alive.