Evolution of Morality in Society

Evolution of Morality in Society

Often the focus in the American society is how we have evolved as a country to bigger and better things. When talking about how we have improved on the morality of our country as a whole, we tend to overlook the mistakes that have been covered up to preserve our outer appearance as the world’s greatest country in all aspects of life. Compared to the societal ways of the 1600’ s-1700, the only reason that separates the morality of the Puritans and early Catholics from modern day society, is the amount of people willing to go against the established mold and fight for what is morally correct rather than socially accepted. The present identity that the American society has taken allows humans to protest more, whether they are morally correct or incorrect. Following the previous statement, the only difference is larger amounts of people ‘believing’ that they are morally sound compared to those in the previous era, 1600’s-1700.

In society, a man is often looked upon how he relates to the accepted values of popular culture and association, but not how his morals portray respect, work ethic, and leadership. In the play, “The Crucible”, the plot line depicts the power of high-ranking officials as the deciding factor of what is morally correct. During the accusing of Salem citizens in the witch trials, many innocent lives were lost. The cowardliness of the men in charge, who were more worried about how they were respected and the amount of power they held over others, affected the decisions they made in predicting the future of the lives that depended on their sound judgment. John Proctor states, “I have three children—how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends?” (Miller 143). John’s morals portray a man who values his friends and their lives, no matter how he looks in front of others. This is the exact opposite of the theme in the book. Officials that have power abuse it to keep their societal positions of authority, because John worries about the well being of others rather than the way he is viewed by others.

This ordeal towards the acceptance of one’s morals relates to scenes in the book, “The Scarlet Letter”, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hester, the dynamic main character in the story, is looked down upon because of the sin she committed. She realizes that she can only change her future by letting her true morals shine through her sinful past. The townspeople say, “ “It is our Hester, —the town’s own Hester, —who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted!” (Hawthorne 147). Hester is seen doing good deeds for the poor and needy, but even though others are pleased to see her doing good in the community, Hester will be forever remembered and judged upon by her worst moment. Everyone on the face of the earth makes mistakes, whether major or minor, but in the society we live in, similar in this sense to the Puritans, a person will be forever remembered for their greatest mistake rather than their greatest accomplishment. Our society is compiled of human beings who enjoy seeing others fail if it means that they are going to be looked at better than the person next to them. Every person on earth has value because no person is alike; every person contributes something, whether it is amazing or insignificant.

Recently in the news, statements made by our president, Donald Trump, have created speculation about whether the morality of this individual is strong enough to lead a country. Donald Trump made a remark in response to the question that was asked about how his despicable comments relate to the real world and how he treats women. The fact is, many men and boys fall under the shadow that shines down upon those who hold themselves in a similar state of mind to Donald Trump. These men value women not as  people, but just as material objects. This portrays an immoral man who is unable to see the value in every person around him. The short sightedness in our society relates to themes in the play, “The Crucible”. The leaders in the town overlook any evidence that explains why and how the girls accusing innocent people of witchcraft has any relevance. They are so worried that if they admit that they were wrong all along they will be killed or lose their power as leaders in their society. The fact that they keep believing the lies wholeheartedly, shows that a weak man’s morals are not created to admit when he is wrong, but to bring others down in an attempt to save his ‘dignity’. A weak man lets others die in the face of corruption rather than ending it all and offering up his own; a weak man allows his mind to make false speculations a reality to harm others, but ensure safety of his own. This describes many powerful figures in modern society, as well as the leaders in the early years of our country who were too immature to realize how to rule for the benefits of the community as a whole rather than for the enrichment of their own lives (Huffington Post, 2016).

But there is a hope in our society; there are men that value themselves and the lives of others as something of high importance rather than as a joke. An article written by an NCAA Division Men’s Soccer program explains the comment “Locker Room Talk” is only a way to cover up the immoral behavior by some of today’s popular figures that mistreat their position of power by setting immoral guidelines for success and respect for future generations to come. The fact that words and speculations are the only things standing in the way of the outlook of a man and his true morals shows that our society is more worried about how a man looks rather than how he treats his peers or someone in need (Huffington Post, 2016).

The Puritans were and still are looked at as one of the most strict and harsh judging communities ever in the history of the world (History.com, n.d.). The fact that we haven’t changed from the society that unjustly ruled our nation 300 years ago shows that we have failed in our mission to evolve as a society and as a country. It shows that our integrity has not improved, but only taken a new form in ways to abuse and neglect it. This shows that we as humans are not better than our ancestors, and have overlooked the fact that morality is what keeps the world’s society running; the people that go outside the mold of pop culture are the ones that hold our ever so fragile society. They are the Hester Prynne’s of the world, the John Proctors, and hopefully the young scholars that come out Hebron Academy that will someday change the world.

Works Cited:

1. Huffington Post, “On Behalf Of The Amherst Men’s Soccer Team | Huffington Post.” N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2016.
2.  “18 Real Things Donald Trump Has Actually Said About Women.” N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2016.
3. History.com Staff. “Puritanism.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 09 Nov. 2016.
4. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlett Letter. New York: Penguin Publishing, 1850
5. Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York: Penguin Publishing, 1954