In Arthur Miller’s historical fiction play The Crucible (1953), he created loyal and unloyal figures that either stay true to their beliefs or falter in order to save themselves. Multiple selfish characters such as Thomas Putnam, his wife, and Abigail Williams manipulate others for their own gain- with no regard to any loyalty toward those people they have known for years. In The Crucible, the town of Salem goes into a panic when people are accused of witchcraft, and long-term friends start turning on each other. Loyalty does not matter, because people are either trying to save themselves or get something from it by using other people. Many people disregard loyalty and allow self-interest to overcome their integrity. Why do people seem to expect …show more content…
Abigail’s affair with John Proctor, which had ended seven months previous to the beginning of the play, causes her to be blinded by desire. She uses the witch trials to get revenge on anyone she wants, but her main target is to kill Elizabeth Proctor, John’s wife. Abigail bullies girls in her town to be loyal to her, while she feels no loyalty towards them. One of the girls Abigail bullies is Mary Warren, a servant of the Proctor’s. Mary tries to stand up to Abigail and tell everyone it’s all a lie, however, when Abigail threatens her of witchcraft, she gives up and joins Abigail again. Abigail’s lack of loyalty towards these girls shows that people who expect loyalty do not always return it. Abigail’s charades eventually land John Proctor in jail, and she tries to persuade him to run away with her when he is set to hang. When he refuses, she runs away and leaves him to his fate with no regard to what will happen to him, only what will happen to her. The Crucible demonstrates that people will always leave anyone if it means they stay safe or get what they want. Loyalty only manifests itself when one’s self-interest is