Channeling Change The Crucible by Arthur Miller was modeled after the Puritanical society during the Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692. Innocent people, such as Rebecca Nurse and Elizabeth Proctor, were falsely accused and condemned of witchcraft. The aftermath of the trials affected the children, cattle, crops, and the reputations of the accused. Reputation in the Puritan society was highly valuable, as seen in the play, such as John Proctor’s confession. Because of this, change in opinions and .. (help) in a Puritan society was unlikely. Change, however, demonstrates character development. Characters such as John Proctor, Reverend Hale, and Mary Warren show development throughout the play in which Hale acknowledges his mistakes, Proctor sacrifices
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In the beginning, Mary lies about their activity in the forest only because she is intimidated and fears Abigail, but changes in the end in which she lies to save herself. In Act I, she desires to confess out of fear of the court officials. “Abby, we’ve got to tell. . . We must tell the truth, Abby! You’ll only be whipped for dancin’ and the other things!” (Miller 18-19) Mary feels guilty and immediately resorts to confessing. However, when threatened by Abigail, Mary is motivated to lie, indicating that she is more afraid of Abigail than she is of the officials. Later on in the play, Mary decides to help the husbands of the condemned with her testimony. In defense, Abigail befuddles Mary by mimicking her and acting as if she transformed into a bird. Due to the pressure she feels after being confused and befuddled, Mary acts immediately and turns Proctor in. “My name, he want my name. ‘I’ll murder you,’ he says, ‘ if my wife hangs! We must overthrow the court,’ he says!” (Miller 119) Mary declares her testimony false and fails to help Proctor attest the honesty of his wife. In this case, however, she lies not only because of her fear of Abigail, but also because she wants to save herself from condemnation. Mary had the chance to take a stand for herself and the accused, but was compelled to lie. Although she tries to be a good Puritan, Mary fails and deteriorates into a weak, struggling character who resorts to lying in order to save
In the beginning, Mary lies about their activity in the forest only because she is intimidated and fears Abigail, but changes in the end in which she lies to save herself. In Act I, she desires to confess out of fear of the court officials. “Abby, we’ve got to tell. . . We must tell the truth, Abby! You’ll only be whipped for dancin’ and the other things!” (Miller 18-19) Mary feels guilty and immediately resorts to confessing. However, when threatened by Abigail, Mary is motivated to lie, indicating that she is more afraid of Abigail than she is of the officials. Later on in the play, Mary decides to help the husbands of the condemned with her testimony. In defense, Abigail befuddles Mary by mimicking her and acting as if she transformed into a bird. Due to the pressure she feels after being confused and befuddled, Mary acts immediately and turns Proctor in. “My name, he want my name. ‘I’ll murder you,’ he says, ‘ if my wife hangs! We must overthrow the court,’ he says!” (Miller 119) Mary declares her testimony false and fails to help Proctor attest the honesty of his wife. In this case, however, she lies not only because of her fear of Abigail, but also because she wants to save herself from condemnation. Mary had the chance to take a stand for herself and the accused, but was compelled to lie. Although she tries to be a good Puritan, Mary fails and deteriorates into a weak, struggling character who resorts to lying in order to save