Dishonesty In The Crucible

Is honesty always the best policy? Are there times when dishonesty has a positive impact? In the fictional world of The Crucible, the author, Arthur Miller, explores how people can be dishonest for being purely selfish. In addition, the author shows that people can also lie for the sake of helping out others. In the real world, however, white lies can benefit your social life instead of hinder it. Ultimately, in my experience, lying is not that good unless it’s to cushion the blow of anything. In Acts 1 and 2 of The Crucible, people are often motivated to be dishonest because they do not want to suffer. In Act 1, Tituba lies because she does not want to be hung for her. Abigail told everyone that Tituba was doing witchcraft, which she then falsely confesses to simply because she knows she cannot win and be hanged if she denies it. Tituba states, “No, no, don’t hang Tituba! I tell him I don’t desire to work for him, sir” (42).

Reverend Hale experiences a profound shift in his convictions. Realizing the gravity of the situation and the innocent lives hanging in the balance, Hale resorts to dishonesty, attempting to expose the flaws within the system. As he pleads with Judge Danforth, Hale says, "There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head?!" (131). Hale seeks to alleviate his guilt and save lives, recognizing the dire consequences of blind adherence to an unjust court. Likewise, John Proctor, torn between his love for his wife and his commitment to truth, makes a painful decision to falsely admit to adultery in order to save Elizabeth from possible death. Proctor declares, "I have known her, sir. I have known her" (110). Proctor lied to simply protect his wife. This act of sacrificial dishonesty shows the profound depths to which one can give up in order to save the lives of those they hold dear. Hale and Proctor both lied to save others, even at the cost of their own