The Crucible Reputation Essay

Throughout Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, multiple themes are employed such as the effect of delirium on society, the importance of reputation, and the belief that everyone indulges in the vices of hypocrisy. Miller describes the nonsense of witchcraft destroying the town of Salem. By the end of the play, three months after the accusation incidents, the village is left as a corrupt wasteland. The vengeance of the people allows their trust to falter and friendships to break. For example, Thomas and Ann Putnam claim revenge on Francis Nurse by falsely accusing his wife, Rebecca, of killing their children. Out of jealousy, Abigail accuses Elizabeth of conjuring spirits upon her with a poppet and needle. Proctor even says himself, “Is the accuser always holy now? Were they born this morning as clean as God’s fingers? I’ll tell you what’s walking Salem—vengeance is walking Salem” (Miller 73). Through the use of the personification of “vengeance walking”, Miller presents it as an animate object …show more content…
In Act I, when suspicion surrounded Abigail, Parris was concerned about how it would affect his standing as a minister. He tells her, “But if you trafficked with spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it” (Miller 10). The enemies he refers to are the people of Salem who will try to downgrade or discredit him. Later in the play, John Proctor is afflicted with the decision of whether or not to confess to witchcraft. He ultimately chooses not to because he tries to protect his honorable name. The difference between the two men is that Proctor is selfless while Parris is selfish; they foil one another. Abigail becomes Judas, condemning her dear friend to save her own reputation. This can be seen most prominently in gossip when people sacrifice the name of their friend in order to clear their own