Examples Of Deception In The Crucible

Deception in Salem Humans are selfish creatures. People will always put themselves first if they are faced with a dilemma that will end up hurting them or putting them in a situation where they don’t have the upper hand. That may be something small like cutting in front of someone in traffic or something big like accusing someone else of witchcraft. This happens throughout the play The Crucible written by Arthur Miller. In the play, people lie to save themselves from death or worse, when Salem, Massachusetts goes into a panic over the potential of hidden witches in the town.
Salem is a Puritan theocracy where the teachings and beliefs are very important. If a person did not follow the beliefs they were looked down on or even punished by being whipped or hung. Community members of Salem lied to save themselves. Abigail Williams is the main reason for the lying and deceit in Salem. Abigail is …show more content…
He went to the court and told them that him and Abigail had an affair and they both should be punished for it. When the court asked Elizabeth if John and Abigail had an affair, she denied it and was then sent to prison. John was hanged for the affair and for interfering with the court. John was one of the last people to be hung in Salem. Another grudge that motivated people to lie, is Thomas and Ann Putnam, being jealous of Rebecca Nurse's big family. Thomas and Ann accuse Rebecca Nurse of being a witch because all of their children have died. Ann Putnam has said “ They were murdered, Mr. Parris! And mark this proof!”(1096). Rebecca Nurse was charged with being a witch and was hung. The Crucible by Arthur Miller shows that people will do whatever it takes to protect themselves. Some members of Salem spent the rest of their lives living a lie. Others died honest people and kept their integrity with them until the very end. Humans are still selfish creatures and will forever