Journal Entry 1

          Though they come from different time periods, "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller and "Prologue" by Anne Bradstreet have several similarities. As pieces of American Literature, both reflect American life, and in particular religion. "The Crucible" is a play depicting the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, but the play itself was written in 1953. Characters represent the judges, priests, accusers, and the accused. Miller does an excellent job of capturing the panicked and unfailing religious people of Salem in his play, and it makes for a quick read. Though it is far from the style of Puritanism, it does reflect the piousness of those people and therefore shares characteristics with their writing.

          As a Puritan writer, Anne Bradstreet depicted the everyday life she observed around her, rather than interpreting stories and history into a play. However, the life she captured, even in her "Prologue,"was one of a deeply religious, patriarchal society, where that which could not be easily explained or was strange was chalked up to the will of God. She writes of her inferiority to men, but her human wish to be recognized as well. These tendencies to reflect culture are common between "The Crucible" and "Prologue,"and together they shine light on the Puritan people who set the foundation for American Literature.