Have you ever had a conflict with another person, defending your answer with utmost confidence that you are right? (Rhetorical question) This is a reoccurring theme in the play, The Crucible. Three diverse characters are united under the same problem of pride. An important detail is the Puritan people put a great amount of value into their names and reputation, so much that they will do anything to keep their name’s as pure white as snow. Even when the characters know deep within themselves that they are wrong, they will never admit to their faults. There are three people in the play struggle with this problem of pride. Throughout the crucible, 3 major characters, Danforth, Abigail, and John, are confronted with the burden of the truth and
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The Judge has realized internally that he is wrong for sentencing people to hang from so little proof. John Proctor calls him out on this, but Danforth defends himself: “You misunderstand Sir, I cannot pardon these when twelve are already charged for the same crime” (Miller 1324). The Judge feels like he cannot stop, similar to the play, Macbeth, when Macbeth says, “I am in blood Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er” (3.4.171-173). Going on with the convictions would be easier than admitting the truth, and bearing the weight of it. Pride is also the culprit for not saying the right things. Judge Danforth forced himself to believe in witchcraft because if he didn’t, he would be ruined as a person: “Hang them high over the town! Who weeps for these, weeps for corruption” (Miller 1333)! Even after Danforth saw the truth exposed through John Proctor, saying this only made him feel like witchcraft really was taking place. It’s sort of like telling yourself that everything is going to be okay while the world is falling apart right around you. Judge Danforth failed in looking into the eyes of …show more content…
She was given so many chances to admit to the truth. The first opportunity to admit to her lechery with John Proctor was practically handed to her on a silver platter. John admits to lechery with Abigail but when the Judge asks if it is true, she responds, “If I must answer that, I will leave and not come back again” (Miller 1309). Abigail thinks too highly of herself to ruin her reputation. She would rather murder innocent people than admitting to such a degrading transgression. By the end of the play, Abigail’s actions take a turn for the worse. She causes her love, John Proctor, to be convicted of witchcraft. Once again, she is too proud to admit to lechery. She wants her name to remain unstained in the village of Salem. It is found that Abigail runs from her responsibilities when Reverend Parris states, “I believe she has vanished…I think they be aboard a ship” (Miller 1322). Abigail has realized that things got out of hand quickly, and instead of saving John Proctor from the noose, she decides to conceal the truth and remain in the darkness. Abigail made some major mistakes, and didn’t even try to defend them. She ran away like a coward. (simple) Abigail ignored all of the opportunities given to her to amend her
The Judge has realized internally that he is wrong for sentencing people to hang from so little proof. John Proctor calls him out on this, but Danforth defends himself: “You misunderstand Sir, I cannot pardon these when twelve are already charged for the same crime” (Miller 1324). The Judge feels like he cannot stop, similar to the play, Macbeth, when Macbeth says, “I am in blood Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er” (3.4.171-173). Going on with the convictions would be easier than admitting the truth, and bearing the weight of it. Pride is also the culprit for not saying the right things. Judge Danforth forced himself to believe in witchcraft because if he didn’t, he would be ruined as a person: “Hang them high over the town! Who weeps for these, weeps for corruption” (Miller 1333)! Even after Danforth saw the truth exposed through John Proctor, saying this only made him feel like witchcraft really was taking place. It’s sort of like telling yourself that everything is going to be okay while the world is falling apart right around you. Judge Danforth failed in looking into the eyes of …show more content…
She was given so many chances to admit to the truth. The first opportunity to admit to her lechery with John Proctor was practically handed to her on a silver platter. John admits to lechery with Abigail but when the Judge asks if it is true, she responds, “If I must answer that, I will leave and not come back again” (Miller 1309). Abigail thinks too highly of herself to ruin her reputation. She would rather murder innocent people than admitting to such a degrading transgression. By the end of the play, Abigail’s actions take a turn for the worse. She causes her love, John Proctor, to be convicted of witchcraft. Once again, she is too proud to admit to lechery. She wants her name to remain unstained in the village of Salem. It is found that Abigail runs from her responsibilities when Reverend Parris states, “I believe she has vanished…I think they be aboard a ship” (Miller 1322). Abigail has realized that things got out of hand quickly, and instead of saving John Proctor from the noose, she decides to conceal the truth and remain in the darkness. Abigail made some major mistakes, and didn’t even try to defend them. She ran away like a coward. (simple) Abigail ignored all of the opportunities given to her to amend her