Hypocrisy In The Crucible Analysis

Improved Essays
Register to read the introduction… Reverend Parris, a “man of God”; is one of the more dishonest characters in the play. Claiming to be a man of God, Parris, upon discovering hisniece and daughter dancing in the forest, refuses to let Abigail tell the truth because his reputation would be ruined and he would no longer be paid for his services. While exploring his biography, the reader may discover how Parris is a former merchant who “turned to God”; however, his merchant’s past reveres Parris’ lust for money, especially since his mercantile business failed. Other forms of hypocrisy sweeping the town of Salem lie in the deeds of the townsfolk. As the witch hunt kills and hurt innocent families, greedy land owners accuse their neighbors and neighbors’ families in order to seize their land. From Mr. Putman accusing his old neighbor of witchcraft so Putnam can get the land after his neighbor was condemn to death. Because Proctor did not join in with the witch hunt or give into his desire for more land, John Proctor successfully evaded being a …show more content…
After discovering Proctor’s secret meeting with Abigail where the two discussed the standing of the witch trials and how it “was all just sport”; Elizabeth made her husband promise to tell Danforth about what Abigail has told him. Despite her obvious discontent with Proctor’s secrecy in the sense of “back[ing] away” from his kiss, Elizabeth soon forgave her husband when trial came. As Proctor risked his own “name” to end the dreaded trials, Elizabeth sought only to protect her beloved husband, compelling her to lie for his sake. Having redeemed himself (John Proctor), Elizabeth would argue her husband’s honor and

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Character is what defines us as a person through our everyday life, not only our victorious moments but also our difficult times. There are two different people in life, the ones’ who meet change and the ones’ who stay at a standstill. The Crucible is a play involving Salem and victims of witchcraft, who suffers extreme consequences. Parris is a reverend who has high authority in church, however his reputation is put on the line as his daughter, Abigail and niece are caught dancing with slave Tituba in the woods naked. Throughout the story, Parris is static as he encounters little change and become more paranoid at the thought of his place in church being degraded due to Abigail’s uncharitable act.…

    • 431 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    John Proctor is a type of character that everyone can relate to. He has a dangerous background that haunts his life and he can’t share it because he will condemn himself to pretty much death. He committed one of the Ten Commandment with a woman who was of an age that now would be considered a federal offense. Her name Abigail and in the story she was seventeen. In the Puritan community the first person you have sex with is supposed to be the person you marry.…

    • 1511 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This made Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctor’s wife, a prime target for Abigail Williams. John and Abigail had an affair in the past, but now he rejects her and is trying his best to prove to his wife that he only wants her. Once Abigail accuses Elizabeth, she is arrested by the court just like everyone else who has been accused. John Proctor does his best to save her, but he ends up by himself in jail and eventually being taken to the gallows. All at the same time, Elizabeth has been released from jail because she is pregnant and Abigail has…

    • 946 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    John Proctor’s Death There are many characters in “The Crucible” who could be blamed for John Proctor’s death. The majority of the audience and readers could say that almost every character is responsible for John Proctor’s death in some way. However, there are a few characters who really stood out, and one character in particular was Abigail Williams. Most readers believe that she is the one who should be held accountable for his death, but in reality, John Proctor is the one responsible for his own death.…

    • 1055 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Proctor can not stand for his name to be shamed in the public eye. “You will tell the court how that poppet come here and who stuck the needle in,” (80). Proctor tells this to Mary Warren, forcing her to accuse Abigail of framing Elizabeth. He forced Mary to attempt to bring the truth to the court that all the girls were pretending to be involved in witchcraft, which would in turn convict Abigail of framing Elizabeth, free Elizabeth, and end the witch trials. This was the only way the to accomplish his goals without revealing his act of adultery and keeping pride in his…

    • 1084 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Proctor is asking Elizabeth to tell the court about the affair to save her life. With this, John’s name will be tarnished in the community but will remain an honest man. All of these internal conflicts and external feuds are centered around John Proctor and help to further the…

    • 879 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    A dynamic character is a character that undergoes a personal development and change, whether through a gradual process or a crisis. Although the change may be sudden, it is expected based on the story’s events. Some dynamic characters learn a lesson, like Eddie did in The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Some develop a new philosophical understanding of the world, some become rebellious, and some find aspects of their own personality that they didn’t know were there. In The Crucible, the characters Reverend Hale, Reverend Parris, and John Proctor are dynamic characters that undergo important and life changing experiences.…

    • 1465 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hale, a spiritual doctor, comes to the Proctor home only to tell John that Elizabeth had been mentioned in one of the witch trials. After much arguing, they decide to take Elizabeth away, even after possible evidence disproving the trials all together. As they leave, John angrily approaches his maid, Mary Warren and shouts, “My wife will never die for me! I will bring your guts into your mouth but that goodness will not die for me” (Miller, 862). John’s eagerness for Mary Warren to confess displays a true love for Elizabeth.…

    • 758 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    A person’s good reputation is the source of true power. At the beginning of the play, the author lets us know how good of a person John Proctor is. He is a well respected man and due to his good reputation; his power in the town is also good and “true”. The people of Salem are not aware of the past affair that took place between Abigail and John. All throughout the book, this is the only thing that John has done wrong.…

    • 777 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    John Proctor wants to save the women who were accused and bring honor to his reputation by saving the lives of the accused women. “I have a bell my honor! I have rung the doom of my good name-you will believe me, Mr. Danforth. My wife is innocent, except she knew a whore when she saw one (111).” The previous quote is said by John Proctor in hopes that the court would see the fault in the accusations and the Elizabeth will not be punished for a crime she did not commit.…

    • 1319 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Through Reverend Parris’ selfish actions, the reader can infer that he is an abusive uncle who is only concerned with his own well being, fortune, and reputation. This behavior is exemplified through his conversation with Abigail when he says, “...and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character” (Act I, Pg 11). This shows how he does not care about what has happened to Abigail or what will become of her if the witchcraft scandal gets out, but only his own reputation and name. Because he is being so condescending, Abigail becomes frustrated at living in such an oppressive society, and being in such close proximity of a negligent caregiver. His unacceptable behavior is also setting a selfish and greedy example to this young, and impressionable girl.…

    • 1047 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Sacrifice is giving up something valuable of yours for someone else. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller witchcraft accusations were on the rise and Abigail Williams was the main accuser. As more and more women were accused, people started to get suspicious. Accusing people started to become a way to get back at someone that you have a grudge against. John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor were suspicious of the accusations and knew some things that the court was not aware of.…

    • 1604 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Because of her vengeful essence towards Elizabeth, Abigail lies in court claiming to the judge to have seen Elizabeth with the devil. Marry Warren delivers this news to the Proctor’s and says that Elizabeth’s name was, “Somewhat mentioned. But I said I never see no sign you ever sent your spirit out to hurt no one” (Miller 63). Abigail accuses Elizabeth hoping to get her hung and out of her way to become Proctor’s new wife. Abigail goes further out her way as she sends Mary Warren back to the Proctor’s home with a poppet to plant in Elizabeth’s possession.…

    • 1018 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    John Proctor is put into a strenuous situation where he must try to prove his wife of innocence to witchcraft. Johns wife, Elizabeth, was accused of witchcraft by their old servant Abigail Williams whom John had an affair with. After John broke it off and made it clear to Abigail they would never become something, Abigail went to seek revenge on him by targeting his wife and accusing her of witchcraft simply out of jealousy. Elizabeth is proven guilty to be a witch and is sentenced to hang in less than a year since she is pregnant. John knows to save Elizabeth's life he must confess to the affair.…

    • 780 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In Act 1, Betty Parris also reveals that Abigail had tried to harm Elizabeth using witchcraft (“You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!”), following which Abigail became violent and told her never to disclose that fact. Hence, we can see that getting revenge on Elizabeth Proctor was a matter of great personal importance to Abigail. She does so by accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft and Danforth believes her and Elizabeth is arrested. When Elizabeth was tried later, much of the evidence against her was Abigail's word against hers, and although she was never convicted or sentenced like the other victims, the mere fact that she, a respected farmer’s wife, could be convicted shows that the law then was being manipulated by Abigail for motives like vengeance. John…

    • 699 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays