Lisa Kong TASK IV E5

Ms. Wu Pd. 2

There may be an action taken in the past that makes us unhappy forever. This idea is true based on Arthur Miller’s play, "Crucible" and Alice Walker's novel, "The Color Purple." Both literatures use literary element to show that there may be a moment in time that destroys all the happiness in our life.

In the Crucible, characterization is used as one of the literary element to present the idea that it only takes a short time for things to happen which will run our life forever. John Proctor is a leader, he is a man who only takes action based on his belief and he is also an honest person. His honesty is also an example of theme used from the play. John Proctor could save his life if he lied to the judge that he have done devil’s work, but John Proctor refuse to lie. As a result, John Proctor had been put to death without a fair justice.

In The Color Purple, characterization of Celie is used as a literary element. Celie is described to be a person who doesn't have any self-esteem, and a person who is afraid to stand up for herself. In other words she is weak. Her lack of self-esteem had caused her to live in a mistreatment for most of her life. Celie was weak because she was sexually abuse by her father when she was fourteen years old. As a result man vs. man is the conflict presented in this novel. Celie have a choice to stand up for herself and escape from the horrible mistreatment that she receives from both of her husband and her father, but Celie did not defend herself during half of her life, therefore she live her life in misery.

Both works of literature shows that character's life can be destroyed by a moment in time. It only takes a short time to make ones unhappy forever. Arthur Miller uses characterization, theme and conflict as literary elements to show that Proctor’s life was destroy when he refuse to deal with witchcraft. While Alice Walker also uses characterization and conflict to present that half of Celie's life was destroy based on the treatment she received when she was a child.

In conclusion, a moment in time may make our life miserable forever. Sometimes the action that is taken cannot be avoided. Ones will not know the result of their action until it has happen. If ones are cautious about the action that they take, then ones can be avoided from living in misery.