Giles Corey's Stubbornness In The Crucible

When faced with stressful situations, a physiological reaction occurs known as the fight or flight response. The body releases large amounts of adrenaline, which leads to actions of either escape or attack. This reaction can occur, not only under survival threats, but also in “attacks” like an argument. The stress hormones and adrenaline released give the courage and determination necessary to overcome and fight the challenges at hand. When Giles Corey is faced with adversity, such as his own imminent death, his fight or flight response kicks in and gives him the courage to remain unyielding in his beliefs and to fight, rather than escape by telling a lie to the government of Salem. The dual nature of this obstinate attitude can be seen to give him strength but also leads him to butt heads fairly often with those around him. In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, Giles Corey's stubbornness is the primary trait that leads to his argumentative attitude and heroic death. …show more content…
His character can be seen through Putnam and Corey’s exchange over land disputes at the beginning of the play. After the argument between Proctor and Parris, Proctor and Giles leave to carry wood home, but before they can, Putnam accuses John of taking wood from his land. Giles knows that the land is not Putnam’s and explains that Putnam’s grandfather nearly willed away his land too:
Giles: That’s God’s truth; he nearly willed away my north pasture but he knew I’d break his fingers before he’d set his name to it. Let’s get your lumber home, John. I feel a sudden will to work coming on.
Putnam: You load one oak of mine and you’ll fight to drag it