Relationships are harder to make work than anything because, over time, every one of us goes through changes in our personality, wants and desires, and even the morals we hold to be true. In Arthur Miller’s, ‘’The Crucible’’, characters experience changes within their relationships as they are faced with rigors surrounding the Salem Witch Trials; moreover, most of these changes are induced by a corrupt court and the inevitability of people to put themselves before others, even if it means innocent lives being lost. It is evident that John and Elizabeth Proctor, one of the wealthy and well-respected couples in Salem, have more underlying marital issues than the town may assume. While the slow, built-up deterioration of the Proctors’ marriage
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Having firm suspicion of her husband’s affair, Elizabeth Proctor behaves distant and resentful towards him with each interaction the two have. As if to highlight John’s unfaithful ways, Elizabeth points out, ‘’You come home so late I thought you’d gone to Salem this afternoon,’’ (Miller 51). Hinting to him visiting his young mistress, Abigail, the disappointed wife creates a tone of tension and mistrust, one which appears to be a theme in the couple’s relationship. One may believe that a husband who has been caught with infidelity would be sympathique in this situation; however, John responds in a bizarre manner. Contending, ‘’It is a fault, Elizabeth - you’re the mistress here, not Mary Warren,’’ it is clear that John denies his actions and finds it easier to pin his frustration on his wife (Miller 52). Consequently, the strain on the Proctor’s marriage symbolizes a discrepancy between lying to your spouse to save them from heartbreak, and being completely open with them in attempt to work out any repercussions that arise from honesty. Despite how much knowledge John and Elizabeth have of one another’s wrongdoings, their relationship is hampered by issues that have pulled them further apart than even they
Having firm suspicion of her husband’s affair, Elizabeth Proctor behaves distant and resentful towards him with each interaction the two have. As if to highlight John’s unfaithful ways, Elizabeth points out, ‘’You come home so late I thought you’d gone to Salem this afternoon,’’ (Miller 51). Hinting to him visiting his young mistress, Abigail, the disappointed wife creates a tone of tension and mistrust, one which appears to be a theme in the couple’s relationship. One may believe that a husband who has been caught with infidelity would be sympathique in this situation; however, John responds in a bizarre manner. Contending, ‘’It is a fault, Elizabeth - you’re the mistress here, not Mary Warren,’’ it is clear that John denies his actions and finds it easier to pin his frustration on his wife (Miller 52). Consequently, the strain on the Proctor’s marriage symbolizes a discrepancy between lying to your spouse to save them from heartbreak, and being completely open with them in attempt to work out any repercussions that arise from honesty. Despite how much knowledge John and Elizabeth have of one another’s wrongdoings, their relationship is hampered by issues that have pulled them further apart than even they