Proof of Vanity in Puritan Works You'll never get a job dressed like that. You need to stop acting so scatterbrained if you want people to take you seriously. Stop running your fingers through your hair, you don't want people to think you're a redneck. Sometimes thoughts like these come to my mind, probably because I care too much about what others think of me. I'm really concerned about how people perceive me and interpret my actions. However, I don't really worry about vanity being my biggest flaw or becoming the next Narcissus, because everyone is a little vain. Unfortunately, some people overdo their pride a little. For example, John Proctor was so vain that he would rather die than tarnish his name; the judges who sentenced him knew they were killing innocent people, but by the time they realized it, they couldn't save people without ruining their reputations. Arthur Dimmesdale let the mother of his child suffer years of judgment because he did not want to face the shame of revealing his sin. These examples show that humans are naturally vain and sometimes their vanity can rule their lives. The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, contains several examples of vanity and its consequences; the most notable example is John Proctor and his refusal to sully his name. Proctor confesses to witchcraft in order to save his life; however, he tears up his signature when the judges reveal that they will make his confession public. When asked why he does this, he replies that he is not worth the dust on the feet of those who have been hanged. He declares that his name, the only one he will ever have, will be taken away. It may seem like a strange obsession with one's own name...... middle of paper ..., then you won't have to deal with the horrible consequences of your vanity. John Proctor would have lived long enough if he had simply given up his name; the Salem judges could have atone for their sins by saving a few lives and admitting their mistakes. Dimmesdale would not have had to suffer in silence and solitude if he had stooped from his pulpit and stood by Hester. I hope that one day vanity will no longer motivate people, but it seems that a time like that is still far away. I mean, I always use my pride as motivation to do things, even if there are less harmful ways to get excited about it. So yes, humans are vain, full of pride and selfish; However, this does not excuse people for their lies and mistakes. On the contrary, the knowledge contained in these literary works should inspire people to change this aspect of their lives..