The Salem Witch Trials seem to most as something from a terrible folktale warning of the dangers of superstition and false witness. However, it was a real event that not only cautions of the aforementioned vices but also proves the consequence of both action and inaction, In Arthur Miller’s critically acclaimed play, The Crucible, these witch hunts are dramaticized, but still clearly show the chaos that results from actively pursuing others in a form of vengeance while also expressing the recklessness of passivity and its effect on the madness. The play’s protagonist, John Proctor, is the force of neutrality in Miller’s drama, who deliberately conceals vital information that was disclosed to him. Subsequently, it can be argued that John is
…show more content…
Ever since Reverend Parris began his work as the new ministry of Salem, he has distanced himself from Salem, refusing to go to church and to attend town meetings. When a large portion of the community is gathered at Parris’ home, John attacks Parris’ form of radical preaching, which focus mainly on the impertinent danger that all are damned to hell. This utterly scandalizes the others present, because the Puritan ideology is so severe and rigid. Parris symbolizes the full authority of the church and thus going against the Reverend’s religious philosophy borderlines on the sacrilegious. Another blasphemous audacity in John’s part is having the belief that witches do not exist. The Bible talks directly of the existence of such supernatural beings, therefore John is going against a fundamental creed, as well. Although John does assert he is opposed to these aforestated concepts, he does not take any action to enthusiastically end or destroy these teachings or those who are trying to bring them about. He seems to be in a grey area of neutrality; he has opinions on certain matters but would rather remain uninvolved. His passivity is further depicted through the fact that he deliberately does not tell the community that Abigail confessed to him that no witchcraft was occurring that night in the …show more content…
However, when Hale arrives, John leaves without informing the others of what Abigail had confessed. Thus, John’s inaction can be wholly considered as a major causation of the mayhem that will ensue. Of course it can be debated that John had no way of knowing that matters would escalate to the level in which they did, but this does not remove responsibility from him. His voice could have caused some doubt to simmer amongst those present and would have laid the whole situation to rest. Through his indifference, John chooses to ignore the situation. He may think he is detached from this nonsense, but he is a main component in it all. Moreover, not only can it be said that John’s bystanding behavior cause this new witch mania, but his infidelity with Abigail spurs it as well. Abigail only decided to trifle with the occult in foolish, naive hopes of killing Elizabeth, John’s wife, so her relationship with him could be successful. John made the conscious decision to fornicate with a young, emotionally unstable girl; something he should have known would breed unprecedented consequences. John breaks Abigail’s heart and so, being a foolish teenager, feels the need to act out and throw a tantrum that will cost people their lives. Since John was the adult in this ordeal, it can be argued that he is largely responsible for Abigail’s sinister deeds and
Ever since Reverend Parris began his work as the new ministry of Salem, he has distanced himself from Salem, refusing to go to church and to attend town meetings. When a large portion of the community is gathered at Parris’ home, John attacks Parris’ form of radical preaching, which focus mainly on the impertinent danger that all are damned to hell. This utterly scandalizes the others present, because the Puritan ideology is so severe and rigid. Parris symbolizes the full authority of the church and thus going against the Reverend’s religious philosophy borderlines on the sacrilegious. Another blasphemous audacity in John’s part is having the belief that witches do not exist. The Bible talks directly of the existence of such supernatural beings, therefore John is going against a fundamental creed, as well. Although John does assert he is opposed to these aforestated concepts, he does not take any action to enthusiastically end or destroy these teachings or those who are trying to bring them about. He seems to be in a grey area of neutrality; he has opinions on certain matters but would rather remain uninvolved. His passivity is further depicted through the fact that he deliberately does not tell the community that Abigail confessed to him that no witchcraft was occurring that night in the …show more content…
However, when Hale arrives, John leaves without informing the others of what Abigail had confessed. Thus, John’s inaction can be wholly considered as a major causation of the mayhem that will ensue. Of course it can be debated that John had no way of knowing that matters would escalate to the level in which they did, but this does not remove responsibility from him. His voice could have caused some doubt to simmer amongst those present and would have laid the whole situation to rest. Through his indifference, John chooses to ignore the situation. He may think he is detached from this nonsense, but he is a main component in it all. Moreover, not only can it be said that John’s bystanding behavior cause this new witch mania, but his infidelity with Abigail spurs it as well. Abigail only decided to trifle with the occult in foolish, naive hopes of killing Elizabeth, John’s wife, so her relationship with him could be successful. John made the conscious decision to fornicate with a young, emotionally unstable girl; something he should have known would breed unprecedented consequences. John breaks Abigail’s heart and so, being a foolish teenager, feels the need to act out and throw a tantrum that will cost people their lives. Since John was the adult in this ordeal, it can be argued that he is largely responsible for Abigail’s sinister deeds and