The Mysterious Unknown
"The edge of the wilderness was close by. The American continent stretched endlessly west, and it was full of mystery for them. It stood, dark and threatening, over their shoulders night and day, for out of it Indian tribes marauded from time to time, and Reverend Parris had parishioners who had lost relatives to these heathen" (Miller 5).
What role does this "edge of the wilderness" play in the lives of the characters so far?
What role does this "edge of the wilderness" play in the lives of the characters so far?
posted by Kristin L | 8:34 AM
4 Comments:
I think that the edge or the wildness plays a big part in the story, it is a symbol of the unknown and it represents fear. In the reading last night the reverend was really angry that the girls were dancing in the forest, it is something that is really frowned upon in that society to be in the forest. The forest is not some place that you are just allowed to go play in, its not OK in their society to be there. I think the reason for that is because what roams in the forest is unknown, and that scares these people because they feel like they have to be in control 100% of the time, and if they aren't they are out of their comfort zone.
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The Puritans of Salem fear anything that is not in accordance with what they have been taught to believe. Their community emphasizes orderliness, hard work, and religion. The edge of the wilderness represents the "heathenish" world of those not yet converted to their way of life. The devils and demons that the Bible mentioned are realized in the form of the hostile Indians, who attempted to end their society.
Witches and witchcraft were the heathens in their community that threatened to destroy the order and godliness they had created. The Puritans feared things that they didn't understand, and they considered such mysteries to be of the devil. They believed the wilderness threatening because they didn't know what dangers were lurking within the forests; they feared witchcraft because they didn't understand it; it was like nothing they had ever known.
The Puritans of Salem fear anything that is not in accordance with what they have been taught to believe. Their community emphasizes orderliness, hard work, and religion. The edge of the wilderness represents the "heathenish" world of those not yet converted to their way of life. The devils and demons that the Bible mentioned are realized in the form of the hostile Indians, who attempted to end their society.
Witches and witchcraft were the heathens in their community that threatened to destroy the order and godliness they had created. The Puritans feared things that they didn't understand, and they considered such mysteries to be of the devil. They believed the wilderness threatening because they didn't know what dangers were lurking within the forests; they feared witchcraft because they didn't understand it; it was like nothing they had ever known.
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