Guilt In The Crucible

Guilt's Effect on the Town of Salem, Massachusetts The Crucible by Arthur Miller, is a play based off the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. The play was first published in 1952, the first performance of The Crucible was in 1953. The play is a dramatized story of the true events that happened in Salem, Massachusetts. The Crucible, focuses on the inconsistencies of the Salem Witch Trials and the extreme behavior that results from twisted desires and hidden agendas. Guilt plays a major role in the outcome of the Salem Witch Trials, the need for redemption caused the towns people to blame others for their mistakes. Throughout The Crucible, Abigail Williams had misguided intentions. Abigail was the ringleader of the girls of The Crying Out, these girls

When Elizabeth Proctor finds out about the affair, and sense of separation rises; the Proctors try to show a united front for the town but once they are alone, the awkwardness reappears. “It is as though she would speak but cannot. Instead, no, she takes up his plate and glass and fork and goes with them to the basin. Her back is turned toward him. He turns to her and watches her”( ), John Proctor has been “tiptoeing”( ) around Elizabeth in an attempt to not irritate her more. John distances himself from Abigail, making it clear to her that he is no longer interested in any sort of relationship with her. In Act Four, John is accused of doing the Devil’s work by Abigail Williams, because Abigail is she is jealous of Elizabeth, and if she can not have John, no one else should. This conflict arises many times throughout the play, Abigail holds their affair over his head in an effort to keep him in the palm of her hand. Although, John decides to come clean to god, John Proctor confesses to adultery in front of the court, ruining Abigail's plan to expose him for a criminal. John has been filled with guilt ever since Elizabeth Proctor found out about his affair so when her life was at stake, John knew he had no other choice but to turn himself