...the Puritans compressed whatever mirth and public joy they deemed allowable to human infirmity; thereby so far dispelling the customary cloud, that, for the space of a single holiday, they appeared scarcely more grave than most other communities at a period of general affliction.

Nathaniel Hawthorne
About This Quote

John Updike mentions the Puritans in his book "Rabbit, Run". He was describing how during the Great Depression, the Puritans were an easy target for humor. Whereas the Quakers were the people who could laugh through any hardship, the Puritans didn't seem to be able to laugh and had no sense of humor at all. The Puritans did not realize that their lack of a sense of humor was taking away from their humanity and removing one of their best qualities.

Source: The Scarlet Letter

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