Dishonesty In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

Lying can either make or break a person. It affects the outcomes and events that are given to the deceiver, and that individual has to live with the lies’ consequences. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the act of dishonest actions actions impacts the characters’ thoughts and decisions through the manipulation of fear and choice, whether to be truthful or not. The citizens in Salem, Massachusetts call themselves Puritans, a group of Protestants of the 16th century known for withholding a religious aspect. Even with their Puritan background, the hysteria of witchcraft seems to break through and consume their beliefs. Dishonesty is the root of every major conflict in Miller’s tale. Some have told a lie at least once, a few have more than others.

Abigail played a major role in the act of vengeance upon others. Just like all the other girls, she told many lies that kept on piling up, bringing people down one by one. The main person that fed her hatred was Elizabeth Proctor. Abby intended to take her place as John’s wife ever since her affair with him. She stated of fake accusations to make Elizabeth appear guilty of witchcraft. Abigail states that Goody Proctor sent her spirit out to stab her with a needle. “Why, look at my leg. I’m holes all over from their damned needles and pins. The jab your wife gave me’s not healed yet, y’know” (Miller, 149), thus Elizabeth ends up going to trial. Ann Putnam as well aims to get what she desires due to her belief of Rebecca Nurse being a witch and killing her children on purpose. “For murder, she’s charged! For the marvelous and supernatural murder of Goody Putnam’s babies” (Miller, 71). Goody Nurse gets executed even though she had nothing to do with Ann’s babies; Mrs. Putnam’s beliefs kept her accusation strong. Vengeance is a sin and is used for bad intentions. Lying can associate with revenge to help get away with one’s personal goals and to avenge for their grudges as