Are We More Moral Now Than 400 Years Ago?

Posted on May 25, 2017 by 18brouwerre

This is an interesting question to answer. Books like, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Crucible by Arthur Miller give readers a detailed and honest look into what life was like in Puritan America. The Scarlet Letter touches on early feminism and what it was like to be a woman that did not conform to the harsh Puritan law of religion. As it was first published in 1850, it is a very early look at feminism and gender inequality. The Crucible is the story of the Salem Witch trials in the 1690’s. Mostly women were tried for witchcraft not men, and the first women that were assumed witches were poor uneducated women who had no means to protect themselves. This is not only sexism, but also accusing based on these women’s social and financial statuses. These books are easy to read with the mindset that it is all history and we don’t live in these brutal times. However, are these assumptions really true? Our society looks very different today than 400 years ago, however gender equality is still a huge problem in the United States and all over the world. The level of morality in society has not changed since the 1600’s, although our society has evolved significantly, the way women are still treated in this country and the obvious roots of Puritan ideals show that morality has not improved.
In The Scarlet Letter and in Puritan societies there is an expectation of women to be and act a certain way, if they do not comply, they are severely punished and exiled from society (Bremer, 2005). Hester is treated exactly that harshly after she commits adultery and births an illegitimate child. In the novel Hester becomes rigid and worn down from the everlasting punishment of her sin. The narrator says, “Some attribute had departed from her, the permanence of which had been essential to keep her a woman. Such is frequently the fate, and such the stern development, of the feminine character and person, when the woman has encountered, and lived through, an experience of peculiar severity. If she be all tenderness, she will die. If she survive, the tenderness will either be crushed out of her, or—and the outward semblance is the same—crushed so deeply into her heart that it can never show itself more.” (Hawthorne, 148) The narrator is saying that to stay a woman Hester must stay tender. However, “if she be all tenderness, she will die.” She must not be too strong, while being strong enough to make it through. In this time, women were not supposed to show power or strength, only delicateness. In Hester’s case she can not afford to be a ‘true woman’ and to be delicate and tender. Because of this, she is ignored and looked down upon by everyone in the town. Hester was exiled from her life because she made a mistake and did not conform to the expectation of a woman at that time.
The Lesser Sex is an article written by Rose Delaney in August 2016. It explores the gender inequality in Bangladesh, and how women are still treated there. Although the government has gone to great lengths to try and eliminate horrible treatment of women, it seems it not completely worked. She writes about a woman who was severely punished, by being hit with a cane 101 times because of alleged adultery. However, this ‘adultery’ was a man who broke into her house and she was trying to defend herself. She now carries the label of adultress for a man’s poor and reckless judgement (Delaney, 2016). This woman was labeled for something she did not even do and then was treated differently because of it. Although this was not in the United States it shows that in societies today gender equality is as, if not more, severe than in Puritan America.
In The Crucible the court first condemns poor or mentally unstable women before rich or ‘good Christian’ women. Not only is this not moral on the fact that social status has influence into whether these women will be condemned, but it also shows that only women were thought to be witches first. Elizabeth and John Proctor are have high social statuses, as they are well-off farmers and have a family. Elizabeth is speaking to John, claiming that Abigail is trying to take him from her. She says, “It is her dearest hope, John, I know it. There be a thousand names; why does she call mine? There be a certain danger in calling such a name– I am no Goody Good, that sleeps in ditches, nor Osbourn, drunk and half-witted. She’d dare not call out such a farmer’s wife but there be monstrous profit in it. She thinks to take my place John.” (Miller, 58) This quote shows how much more serious it is to accuse a ‘farmer’s wife’ than a woman who is ‘drunk and half-witted’. Elizabeth’s life is more valuable than Goody Good or Goody Osbourn because she is respected and she is a proper acting women. This is a completely immoral statement because it directly opposes the idea that all life is equal.
Still Puritan After All These Years is an article written by Matthew Hutson. It discusses surveys and tests that root America’s values to Puritanism and how they still affect American people’s views compared to other countries. In one experiment they surveyed Asian-American people on their support for a school rule that bans revealing clothing. When they were asked in terms of thinking of their American heritage, they were more likely to support the rule, then if they were asked to keep their Asian heritage in mind. They were also more likely to support the rule because it involves prudishness in the workplace, and how that has been associated with professionalism in our country going back to Puritan times. Other studies showed that American people were more quick to judge promiscuous women than British people were. These test results suggest that Puritan thought still remains when it comes to gender, work, and sex and how they work together. Americans morals are still deeply rooted in Puritan thoughts and ideals. Women are still held to a standard in schools and workplaces that suggests they must ‘cover up’ to not distract men. This is an example of a severely immoral and unjust thought that has shaped the structure of our society and has come from this Puritan way of thinking.
Our society has not become more moral now than in the 1600’s because a lot of Americans have thoughts of society that are still deeply rooted in Puritan ideals. Throughout history the people of the United States have fought to have equality amongst us. The Women’s Rights and Civil Rights Movements are examples of this country’s fight against the traditional Puritan thoughts and values. However, everyday minorities in this country face inequality. It might not seem as rash or harsh, but we do not have complete equality in our country. There are still people in our society today that base their morals off of Puritan thoughts, and this is where the hateful and injustice acts of misogyny, racism and discrimination in our country evolve from.

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

178 Responses to Are We More Moral Now Than 400 Years Ago?

  1. 18brouwerre says:
    May 26, 2017 at 9:54 am

    This essay was another difficult one to write and I do not think my argument is as clear as it should be; however, in the process of writing it I thought about a lot of current issues and I think that was very good for me.

  2. Appliance Repair Manual says:
    April 12, 2026 at 10:42 am

    I’m curious to find out what blog system you have been using? I’m experiencing some small security issues with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more safe. Do you have any suggestions?

  4. wismabet slot deposit via pulsa tanpa potongan says:
    May 8, 2026 at 12:56 am

    gacor slot jam gacor slot aztec slot gacor
    hari ini pragmatic slot online gacor hari ini ame slpot online deposit pulsa situs wismabet slot deposit via pulsa tanpa potongan pulsa tanpa potongan slot deposit pulsa 10 ribu
    tasnpa potongan

  6. actualites.cava.tn says:
    June 3, 2026 at 1:28 pm

    References:

    Instant Casino Treuepunkte einlösen

    References:
    actualites.cava.tn

  8. gpsites.win says:
    June 3, 2026 at 3:37 pm

    References:

    Ameristar casino vicksburg ms gpsites.win

  9. sonnik.nalench.com says:
    June 3, 2026 at 5:42 pm

    References:

    William hill casino club sonnik.nalench.com

  11. undrtone.com says:
    June 3, 2026 at 10:10 pm

    References:

    Crown casino melbourne accommodation undrtone.com

  12. pad.stuve.de says:
    June 4, 2026 at 4:27 am

    References:

    Tucson casino pad.stuve.de

  14. materialwiki.site says:
    June 4, 2026 at 1:46 pm

    References:

    Harrington raceway and casino materialwiki.site

  15. http://www.bmw-workshop.com says:
    June 5, 2026 at 11:21 pm

    References:

    Mirror ball slots http://www.bmw-workshop.com/member.php?action=profile&uid=44187

  16. liveheadline.site says:
    June 8, 2026 at 9:08 am

    References:

    21 black jack online subtitulada liveheadline.site

  17. favpress.site says:
    June 8, 2026 at 9:46 am

    References:

    Ameristar casino east chicago favpress.site

  18. adrestyt.ru says:
    June 8, 2026 at 2:52 pm

    References:

    Super jackpot adrestyt.ru

  20. forum.exciteme.ca says:
    June 9, 2026 at 1:01 am

    References:

    Play online shooting games forum.exciteme.ca

  23. https://500px.com says:
    June 19, 2026 at 9:16 am

    References:

    Legiano Casino Mobile https://500px.com

  34. smartphone.ua says:
    July 9, 2026 at 11:10 pm

    References:

    Legiano Casino Zahlungsmethoden smartphone.ua

  36. https://1page.bio says:
    July 10, 2026 at 7:15 am

    References:

    KingMaker Casino Bonus sichern https://1page.bio

  41. cse.google.sm says:
    July 11, 2026 at 6:54 am

    References:

    KingMaker spielerkonto aufladen cse.google.sm

  43. 18.cholteth.com says:
    July 11, 2026 at 9:30 am

    References:

    KingMaker einzahlung bankkarte 18.cholteth.com

  44. https://rufox.ru/ says:
    July 11, 2026 at 10:36 am

    References:

    KingMaker Casino Geld einzahlen https://rufox.ru/

  46. http://cse.google.es/ says:
    July 11, 2026 at 5:20 pm

    References:

    KingMaker Casino Anmeldung Bonus http://cse.google.es/

  47. www.google.com.ph says:
    July 11, 2026 at 6:08 pm

    References:

    Legiano Casino Bonus ohne Einzahlung http://www.google.com.ph

  48. toolbarqueries.google.lv says:
    July 11, 2026 at 6:52 pm

    References:

    KingMaker mobile casino echtgeld toolbarqueries.google.lv

  50. http://cse.google.co.za/ says:
    July 11, 2026 at 7:46 pm

    References:

    Legiano Casino Willkommensbonus http://cse.google.co.za/

  51. clients1.google.lt says:
    July 11, 2026 at 7:49 pm

    References:

    KingMaker geld einzahlen clients1.google.lt

  58. images.google.com.hk says:
    July 11, 2026 at 11:38 pm

    References:

    KingMaker Casino erste Einzahlung images.google.com.hk

  59. myprofile.medtronic.com says:
    July 12, 2026 at 2:51 am

    References:

    KingMaker bonus code einzahlung myprofile.medtronic.com

  60. http://forum.zidoo.tv/ says:
    July 12, 2026 at 2:58 am

    References:

    Kingmaker casino einzahlen anleitung http://forum.zidoo.tv/

  64. google.vu says:
    July 12, 2026 at 4:39 pm

    References:

    Hitnspin casino zahlungsmethoden google.vu

  68. http://images.google.by/ says:
    July 12, 2026 at 8:37 pm

    References:

    Hitnspin casino kostenlos spielen http://images.google.by/

  69. wikimapia.org says:
    July 12, 2026 at 9:19 pm

    References:

    Hitnspin casino forum wikimapia.org

  75. cds.zju.edu.cn says:
    July 13, 2026 at 10:28 am

    References:

    Hitnspin casino bonus code cds.zju.edu.cn

  87. css-validator.org says:
    July 14, 2026 at 9:42 pm

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Verifizierung css-validator.org

  89. cse.google.com.ai says:
    July 14, 2026 at 10:16 pm

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Kundenservice cse.google.com.ai

  94. http://cse.google.cf/ says:
    July 16, 2026 at 4:15 am

    References:

    Hitnspin casino einzahlung http://cse.google.cf/

  97. clients1.google.bt says:
    July 16, 2026 at 9:00 am

    References:

    Hitnspin casino alternative clients1.google.bt

  98. forum.cmsheaven.org says:
    July 16, 2026 at 9:52 am

    References:

    Hit’n’spin casino 25 euro bonus ohne einzahlung forum.cmsheaven.org

  99. maps.google.gg says:
    July 16, 2026 at 8:52 pm

    References:

    Hitnspin casino paysafecard maps.google.gg

  104. https://winesandjobs.com says:
    July 17, 2026 at 3:42 pm

    References:

    Online pokies real money payid https://winesandjobs.com

  106. bdemployee.com says:
    July 17, 2026 at 8:46 pm

    References:

    Australia online pokies payid bdemployee.com

  109. https://mginger.org says:
    July 17, 2026 at 10:36 pm

    References:

    Online pokies with payid https://mginger.org

  110. france-expat.com says:
    July 17, 2026 at 11:05 pm

    References:

    Instant payid pokies australia france-expat.com

  111. welqum.com says:
    July 19, 2026 at 4:46 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Bonus ohne Einzahlung welqum.com

  119. http://cse.google.com.bh says:
    July 19, 2026 at 6:08 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Willkommensbonus http://cse.google.com.bh

  120. member.mt.co.kr says:
    July 19, 2026 at 6:08 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Review member.mt.co.kr

  123. google.co.kr says:
    July 19, 2026 at 9:40 pm

    References:

    Lollybet Aktionscode google.co.kr

  124. payidpokies1.com says:
    July 22, 2026 at 10:24 pm

    Click Here For The Best Real Money Payid Casino

    People who don’t know anything about PayID and haven’t yet
    registered with the service are a prime target for scammers Zhong says
    people who don’t know anything about PayID and haven’t yet registered with the
    service are a prime target for scammers. They may also claim to have a minimum transaction limit on their account that
    is more than the cost of the product being exchanged and ask you to reimburse the difference.
    Scammers will commonly say, as in Andrew’s experience,
    that your PayID needs to be “upgraded” to a “business” account.
    When you send or receive a payment using PayID you may see the Osko® logo
    in your payment confirmation or account transaction history.

    You have several options for verification, including mobile number, facial scan, or ID.
    As titles update their implementations over time,
    additional in-game features may become restricted
    for users who have not verified their age. From time to time, we
    may roll-out improvements or additions to the current
    age verification process. We use an age verification service to
    help deliver an age-appropriate experience and support online safety.
    We use age verification to deliver the best PlayStation experience for your age
    and to help protect our younger users.
    PayID is a simple service that lets you link something easy to remember—like your mobile number, email address,
    ABN, or Organisation Identifier—to your bank account.
    PayID information is centrally secured, and participating
    institutions must have controls in place to monitor activity and shut down misuse of the PayID service.
    The platform was designed and built with safety and security front of mind.
    Information is current as of March 2026 and may change as laws and platform policies evolve.
    Enforcement focuses on systemic non-compliance rather than individual
    violations. They are widely used by businesses, government agencies, journalists, and everyday people for privacy and security.

    Before initiating PayID registration, Australian residents must meet
    specific requirements that ensure secure account
    linking and identity verification. The convenience factor extends beyond simple transfers,
    as PayID integrates seamlessly with existing banking apps and online platforms.

    Furthermore, the NPP infrastructure ensures these transactions process instantly, even outside traditional banking hours.

    Maintain a secure and compliant environment for athletes and organizations.
    Ensure athletes are placed in the correct divisions before events begin, preventing eligibility issues and maintaining fair competition. National Sports ID provides a complete, all-in-one platform that helps leagues and tournaments handle compliance before game
    day. Australian governments have a history of putting big corporations and lobbyists ahead of the
    majority when it comes to change. Private businesses will also play a role, with age-restricted purchases such as alcohol, tobacco, and adult content needing Digital ID
    confirmation.
    Just verified access — on your terms. Think of Age App as
    the anonymous, lightweight version built for fast,
    everyday checks. Age App is a privacy-first product built for sensitive,
    age-restricted content. Businesses and websites only receive a verified yes/no response based on age and location.
    Setting up your PayID is super simple in the ANZ App or Internet
    Banking. Use your PayID to set up PayTo®disclaimer agreements and control
    when businesses can take money out of your account.
    Create your PayID in 3 simple steps in the ANZ
    App or Internet Banking. Please contact your financial institution if someone you don’t know has sent money to
    your account. You should never share your personal information with people you don’t trust.
    I’d like to use PayID, but I don’t want to hand
    out my personal information to strangers.
    Minors are not permitted to engage with any form of gambling activity, so as a part of their licensing,
    all online casinos must implement identity verification processes.
    Let’s look at why an online casino asks you to authenticate
    your identity before playing, bonus wagering, and conducting any withdrawal.
    For online gaming newcomers, learning about and preparing for
    the verification process saves you time. Download the app today for a more convenient banking
    experience. Ready to experience a smarter way to manage your money?

    Stripe Identity is built on the same technology we use to defend against attacks on our own global network.
    Stripe Identity is built on top of technology that Stripe uses to verify millions of global users.
    Unlike older systems that relied on outdated
    batch processing, PayID leverages modern technology to provide the
    instant, secure transactions that today’s digital economy demands.
    We don’t sell your data, show ads, or track you — we charge a flat
    fee to keep the experience secure, compliant, and private.

    The technology works by creating a secure link between your chosen identifier—whether
    that’s your mobile number or email—and your actual bank account details.

    References:
    payidpokies1.com

  142. git.cribdev.com says:
    July 30, 2026 at 6:41 pm

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Bonus ohne Einzahlung https://git.cribdev.com/noreenconstant

  173. Korey says:
    September 3, 2026 at 8:47 am

    This article is actually a fastidious one it assists new internet users, who are wishing for blogging.

  174. pornhub says:
    September 3, 2026 at 11:57 am

    Hi it’s me, I am also visiting this web page regularly, this web site
    is genuinely fastidious and the viewers are in fact sharing good thoughts.

  175. Mari says:
    September 3, 2026 at 1:39 pm

    Hi there, everything is going perfectly here and ofcourse every one is sharing data,
    that’s genuinely fine, keep up writing.

  176. XM66 says:
    September 3, 2026 at 2:41 pm

    Hurrah! After all I got a website from where I be able to really get valuable facts regarding my
    study and knowledge.

  177. jl69128.com says:
    September 3, 2026 at 3:11 pm

    This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled
    blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your
    fantastic post. Also, I have shared your web site
    in my social networks!

  178. jav says:
    September 4, 2026 at 6:20 pm

    Hurrah, that’s what I was searching for, what a stuff! present here
    at this website, thanks admin of this website.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *