The test of a courageous person is the ability to bear defeat without losing heart. This happens when a person is challenged with an overwhelming obstacle that is immposible to defreat, but when overcome the person still emerges with his dignity. Two works that illustrate this are the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller and the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.It is possible not to overcome an obstacle and still manage to be victorious. This is true for John Proctor a Puritan from Puritan New England, who was defeated, but died with his dignity. One example is seen when Abigail with whom John had an affair, convinced the jury his wife, Elizabeth was a witch. John did not wan this wife to pay for his sins and he admitted to the truth of his adultery knowing his fate would be death. During this chaos John is accused of witchcraft. He refused to admit to being a witch and would not spare his life by admitting to a lie. The jury would let him live if he confessed but he chose his fate and told the truth. He had far too much dignity to lie in order to save himself he rather the truth be known. Another example is obvious when he made a false confession to practicing witchcraft but could not sign it because he wanted to keep his good name for his sons and die a martyr. Even though he was put to death he still was victorious because he did not lose his dignity by admitting to a lie.Another Character who illustrates the statement is The Scarlet Letter’s Hester Pryne who throughout the novel is antagonized by everyone in the town but still does not lose heart. One example is clear when she must stand on the scaffold in front of the entire town to be ridiculed for her sin of adultery. She never lowers herself by yelling back at the crowd. The crowd called her cruel names and described how they would have punished her. Therefore she keeps her dignity by not resorting to their childish level. She also must wear a scarlet “...
