The Crucible Act IV: Similarities to "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"

Jonathan Edward’s “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” and Arthur Miller’s The Crucible are both books which indicate what Puritan values were during the late seventeenth and first half of the eighteenth centuries.  “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” discussed the importance of people to receive Christ and live godly lives.  The Crucible, on the other hand, was first and foremost the story of the Salem witch trials.  Although the main point from each of the two works differed from each other, there were several aspects that linked them together. 

One of these similarities is that the people in the congregations had become relaxed about their faith and were losing some of their values.  Edwards and Reverend Parris were trying to draw people back to Christianity by arousing fear deep inside their hearts.  In order to do this, the reverends chose to give fearful sermons to the church community about the life that would await them in hell if they did not choose to change their ways, repent, and accept Christ as their savior.  Indeed, John Proctor exclaimed, “I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation…There are many others who stay away from church these days because you hardly ever mention God any more.” (Miller 28-29).  This statement shows how the ministers were so concerned about “winning over the souls of the lost” that God was hardly talked much about in comparison to the past.  In my opinion, it is important that people remember that there are laws, such as the Ten Commandments, set in place for a reason and if those laws are broken then there will be consequences.  While it is important for this message to be understood, I do not see the necessity in discussing it time after time after time.  As I see it, a person’s relationship with God should be based on faith, love, thankfulness, etc…instead of solely on fear. 

Also, in both of these literary works, repentance was a necessary factor.  Edwards inferred through his statements that repentance was needed for those who wished to change their old ways and turn to God as their lifeline (Edwards 97-99) .  In The Crucible, repentance was also looked for among the alleged witches, although primarily for different reasons than saving that person’s soul. 

In addition, both Reverends Edwards and Parris believed that members of their own congregation would go to hell after their death.  Edwards clearly states this belief in his sermon by using declarations such as, “The wrath of Almighty God is now undoubtedly hanging over a great part of this congregation:  Let everyone fly out of Sodom!” (Edwards 99). Parris likewise says, “There is either obedience or the church will burn like Hell is burning!” (Miller 30).  Although the ministers gave warnings to the people that they needed to change, many thought that they were sufficient enough already.  As Edwards writes, “It may be they are now at ease, and hear all these things without much disturbance, and are now flattering themselves that they are not the persons” (Edwards 99).  Several people from The Crucible had stopped attending church, worked on the Sabbath, and did other sins which were unacceptable for their religion.  John Proctor fit this description rather well, although he by no means considered himself a saint. 

Both “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” and The Crucible exhibited similarities towards one another.  It may be true that these events took place several decades apart from each other and were concerning different topics.  However, they both shared some similar themes which reflected well together.

Works Cited

Edwards, Jonathan. "From Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." American Literature.  Colombus: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009. 97-99. Print.

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York, NY: Penguin, 1996. Print.