Death, And Beliefs In Arthur Miller's The Crucible

Superior Essays
It is a cold and blissful night in the sad civilization of Salem, Massachusetts with the sound of young girls giggling in the distance as they dance and sing with joy. ‘Round and ‘Round a campfire they roam as they tribute those who have died in the past, trying to bring them back to life. The fog is rising to bring a new day full of accusations, death, and revenge. In the Crucible, Arthur Miller tells the tale of those who are too fearful to speak out against the lies that are being told by Abigail, the maid who has to seek revenge for not getting what she wants. With the threat of being accused of witchcraft, the town of Salem is walking on eggshells to please an insecure girl and her tribe of liars that she control with a single word. If …show more content…
He begins to begins to shout in anger in defense of himself, saying that he has made the rulings fair and as any honest man of the court would. Failing to admit that he was wrong caused the trials to continue on the basis of fantasies and lies. Not to mention, in Act III, Danforth repeatedly tells Proctor that Elizabeth’s conviction was that of pure evidence and his court would not take a lie as a basis for the persecution of others. As Proctor questions Danforth for conviction of his dear wife Elizabeth, Danforth raises his voice saying, “Indeed not, but it strike hard upon me that she will dare come here with such a tale. Now, Mr. Proctor, before I decide whether I shall hear you or not, it is my duty to tell you this. We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment” (Miller 89). Danforth, after being questioned, jumps to the defense of himself and his court. Danforth knows some of the convictions and deaths implemented had been based off of faulty evidence from spiteful people within Salem. However with twelve men or women already hung, he must continue to protect his court for the town to not grow suspect of the court. Because of the fear and pride of Danforth, the trials will continue until he decides he is man enough to admit to his wrong doings and protect the town as he was originally brought to do. In essence, if …show more content…
He only thinks about the affects this situation will have on him and his reputation, not her or her well being. With Parris only caring about his ministry and not listening to Abigail, she broadcasts it to the town to continue or begin the treacherous trials. In addition, John Proctor begins to do the same thing to Abigail. When John refuses to tell the town of Salem about his affair with Abigail or when he constantly neglects her feelings, she become insecure and spiteful towards the Proctor household. In act II, tension begins to rise between Elizabeth and John Proctor on the basis of the secrecy of the affair: “Because it speaks deceit, and I am honest! But I’ll plead no more! I see now your spirit twists around the single error of my life, and I will never tear it free!” (Miller 62). Elizabeth begins to pressure John to address the courts about Abigail's lies and revenge due to the fact that John knows she is lying because she told him in the midst of one of their moments. However, John becomes upset at the fact that Elizabeth won’t let it go, he believes this is the single error in his life she is grasping onto to make him feel guilt all of the time. With John afraid to tell the town and the courts of the lies Abigail has told in the trials, he is continue the trials by not speaking the truth. Therefore, with John Proctor and Parris withholding information about

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