The Road to RedemptionCold MountainThe Crucible
BackgroundCold
Mountain
Inman is a soldier in the Confederate Army. He abandons the army
to return to Cold Mountain and his love,
Ada.
Inman encounters many difficulties on his
journey home. He is shot, captured by the
Home Guard, and faces starvation along
the way.
The Crucible
John Proctor, a resident of Salem,
Massachusettes in the 17th Century, commits
adultery with a girl named Abigail
Williams.
Proctor is accused of practicing witchcraft
during the Salem Witch Trials regain his dignity
Sin/Exile- Cold Mountain“I am coming home one way or another”-Inman (Cold Mountain)
Inman commits a sin by abandoning the Confederate army during the Civil War. Although he doesn't want to harm anybody, he ignores the laws and ideals of the South for his own gain.
Once Inman breaks the Southern law, he becomes an outlaw. His fellow Southerners (Junior, the Home Guard) turn against him because he is an outcast and a sinner. Inman’s sin leads to his exile.
Sin/Exile- The Crucible“I have known her, sir. I have known her” -John Proctor (The Crucible)
John Proctor, a well respected farmer, commits a sin by committing adultery. He goes against the rules of the Puritan society by being immoral and dishonest.
Once Proctor commits the sin, he is ‘exiled’ from the Salem community. Many of his neighbors (Reverend Parris) look down upon him. He ignores the rules of the Puritans of Salem, and is now an outsider in the cmmunity.
Road to RedemptionInman
Inman struggles to find his way homeHe fails to consistently find mealsHe is betrayed by a fellow Southerner named JuniorHe is shot by the Home Guard
Inman tries to redeem himselfHe refuses to murder men who attempted to kill himHe saves a girl from being murdered by a preacher
Inman’s journey physically and spiritually drains himHe comes close to death several times (Starvation, Wounds)He feels that he is a monster (Kills a baby bear)
Road to RedemptionJohn Proctor
Although John Proctor is remorseful for his sin, he struggles to find forgiveness
The community looks down upon him
He attempts to cure his relationship with his wifeHe restrains himself from Abigail several times
His path to redemption is thrown off when he is accused of witchcraft
The community looks down upon him even moreHe declares that there is no GodThe hope of society reaccepting him is shattered
End of the RoadInman makes it home to Ada. After
spending time together, he is shot and killed by the Home Guard. Ada gives
birth to Inman’s daughter.
Inman completes his journey home. He gains the satisfaction of
completing his path to redemption.
This redemption however, is very short lived. Society catches up
with Inman, and he is punished for his sin. Ultimately, the deserter cannot outrun his past. Inman tried to redeem himself for his
acts, but he fails. After experiencing such disillusionment from the horrible sights of the war,
Inman finds true redemption in death, a permanent escape from
society.
John Proctor is given the chance to admit to witchcraft by signing his
name on a church document. However, in order to keep his good
name, he refuses to comply, and he is hanged.
At the start of the play, John Proctor has an impeccable reputation but lives with the guilt of a grave sin, adultery. While his public image is
pure, his soul is stained.
In the end, John Proctor chooses a dignified death over a dishonest life and dies with his integrity. He finally becomes the man he had been thought to be because he refuses to falsely convict others. While the leaders of the Puritan
society believe that he has shamed the religion, he is finally redeemed and regains his dignity
through his death.
Inman John Proctor