Did you know that 24 innocent people were killed during the Salem witch trials? What people do in the past, no matter how insignificant, can affect their future. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Abigail Williams pretends to be possessed by Satan. Several town girls join in on this hoax and pretend to be possessed as well. The girls then started pointing fingers at men and women who they either do not like or would like to see imprisoned. The girls are telling selfish lies which will make them popular throughout the town. The court does not believe John due to him not attending church, having an affair with Abigail, and not baptizing his youngest child. Johns past impacts his future because of his lust, hatred, and disrespect.
In the past, John succumbed to lust, which affected his future in many ways. While at the trial, he tells the court that he cheated on his wife with Abigail “God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat” (Miller 79). By saying this to the court, John sealed his fate as a lecher. “I have known her, sir. I have known her” (Miller 79). This is another example of John admitting to
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John is asked to sign a paper of confession to witchcraft. After he signs it, he refuses to hand it over to the judges. “Damn this village! I confess to God and God has seen my name on this!” (Miller 106). It is required by law for the court officials to have a written copy of his testament, by not obeying this law, John had disrespected the court. John did everything to prove the girls were lying, he gave up his good name and nearly everything he had. He proved to God that he was a good and honest man, but the judges did not believe him. Also John made many interruptions in the court process. “Disrespect indeed! It is a disruption mister.” (Miller 62). If John complied with the judges requests, he may have lived through the witch