The Crucible Dbq Essay

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Fear is like a disease. It works differently on every body it manifests, but generally, the outcome is similar. When the first hysterical cries of witchery were heard in 1692 Salem, the results were lethal. The whole catastrophe began with a lie. A lie to protect the only thing that mattered in puritan Salem, reputation. The puritan life that was based on the simplicity and austerity, demanded from you to be modest, proper, and traditional. If you even thought otherwise, that went against the puritan religion. One’s faith and reputation were what defined them as a person. In addition, the puritan religion was taught from the local priest, this priest ruled in the name of God himself. For Salem didn’t have a fair, just government, it had …show more content…
While if you did not confess to such preposterous suspicions one would pay the price with their neck. Here the Theocratic government strayed from the interest of its people and was used as a powerful tool to accuse people and the accused could in no way defend themselves. From this lie, 200 people were accused and 20 were executed. Although this lie was started to protect the well-being of a group of girls who were dancing in the forest, it became clear that it’s intentions were quite different. Abigail Williams who was the leader of these accusations had once worked for the Proctors, the town's farmers, but in the cold of some sinful night, she was sent out of the house to return to her uncle. It was uncovered that Proctor and Abigail had committed adultery in the house that his wife kept. Yet, Abigail still desired Proctor. Proctor was filled with guilt and regret and was unclean in the eyes of the lord. This only intensified when his wife could never forgive him as well, but he was guilty of the same thing. Abigail saw her reunification with Proctor and accused his wife of being in the hands of the …show more content…
To save his life, or hang. All he had to do was sign a confession and he would be free. But it was his name, the only thing that he possessed that still was associated with respect and integrity. He would not give it up. He was already filled with regret and branded himself a adulterer and his name was the only clean thing he still had in the eyes of the lord. During the confession, Proctor was asked if he saw anyone else with the devil. His reply was “I speak my own sins:”(Miller). For earlier, he had confessed his adultering history with Abigail and, therefore, he can only be accountable for his own sins. “I cannot judge another”(Miller). He cannot judge a person when he himself is an

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