From Prynne to Proctor

My sophomores began the year with adultery. Well -- reading about its effects. In August, Hester Prynne showed my class how to accept her own error of infidelity, learn from it, grow past it; Arthur Dimmesdale showed them what pain sin can turn into when hidden; and Roger Chillingworth won the Most Vengeful award for his attempts to punish indiscretion with his own evil hands.

Discussions about confession and forgiveness on the pages of Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter turned from simply literary and academic studies to deeply personal introspection.

• What letter (sin) do you keep hidden? 
• Who is the object of your (sometimes justified) ire?
• What is God teaching you that will allow you to serve others more humbly, more patiently, more generously? 

In our studies as the year progressed, we traveled with the ambitious Puritans, the founding fathers, the truth-seeking Romantics, the scientific Realists, the nature loving Naturalists, the rebellious Moderns (and their jazzy Harlem buddies), landing at the end of the year on The Crucible -- yes, more Puitans and more adultery, more accusation and more forgiveness.

Sure, we looked at historical parallels and literary structure. Yes, we studied character motivation and symbolism. 

But when a character chooses to die on the gallows at the hands of corruption rather than to lie to appease his accusers, who can pass up the opportunity to talk about living principled lives? When  people innocent of the charges levied against them give their lives so that the guilty find pardon, who can resist the urge to connect the story of John Proctor to Jesus Christ?

Whether you know these works or not, the point is this: ideas of sin and forgiveness leap from the pages of literature, works nearly every high school graduate has (supposedly) read. In my classroom, we invoke the wisdom of Christ and, because I teach in a Christian school, such a practice is encouraged. But I realize that is not the case everywhere.

Therefore, what I earnestly pray is this:

May discussions of principles and moral responsibility rain down on students everywhere -- in private schools and public; among Christians, Jews, Muslims, and atheists; in classrooms and hallways and cafeterias and locker rooms; from August until June, and in July, too.

May Truth drench every lesson, until seeds of righteousness sprout, grow, and bear good, good fruit.

May every scarlet letter worn represent lessons learned and character redeemed.

And may Christ be glorified -- even where His name is never spoken.