A reputation is the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something. In fear of tarnishing one's reputation, individuals tends to go to extreme lengths in order to protect it. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the actions and choices of John Proctor, Reverend Samuel Parris and Abigail Williams serve to prove this to the audience. First of all, John Proctor will protect his reputation at all costs, even if it ultimately ends his life. Second, Reverend Parris will stop at nothing to keep his authority, even if he has to sacrifice his faith. Finally, Abigail Williams will do and say whatever she can to defend her name, even if she hurts people she cares about.
In fear of his reputation being ruined by being outed about his
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Elizabeth, who has never told a lie, is aware of the affair and believes her husband should “tell [Ezekiel] what [Abigail] said to [him] last week… She said it had naught to do with witchcraft, did she not?” (53) Proctor chooses to protect his honour instead and sacrifice all the innocent victims. Proctors reputation means more to him then stopping the trials. ultimately he has the power and proof to stop the trials and save all of the innocent casualties but not at the risk of his affair being exposed. Next, Proctor not only refuses to let out his secret affair even though he knows it could save so many, but still refuses to tell when his wife, Elizabeth, is convicted. He lets her sit in jail for a few weeks while he tries to clear her name with other proof. proctor and a few other husbands attempt to clear their wives names by going to the court with proof. Danforth informs Proctor “... This morning your wife send me a claim in which she states that she is pregnant now” (92) it takes a few weeks for one to figure out if they are pregnant and “[Elizabeth] will never lie.” (92) Therefore, Elizabeth is sitting …show more content…
First, Hale comes to Salem and find out about the dancing. Abigail, not caring who she has to hurt, blames Tituba (Parris’ servant from Barbados). Tituba, now trying to save herself, confirms she sees the Devil and asks for help from Hale. Abigail uses this as the perfect opportunity to strengthen her lie and claims she “...Danced for the Devil… [She] saw Sarah Good with the Devil!” (48) and continues to name a bunch of believable towns people, immediately forcing them to trial. Abigail believes she can get her uncle and the rest of Salem off her back if she convinces them it is witchcraft. Although it was never Abigail's intention to betray Tituba, but as she sees the perfect opportunity, she knew taking it was to protect her name, even if it destroys others. Next, during the trials, Mary Warren (the Proctors new servant involved in the dancing) makes a poppet and places the needle she uses in the stomach of the poppet. Abigail concocks a plan and tells Mary it would be best to give the poppet to Elizabeth. Abigail stabs herself in the stomach (in the same spot she sees Mary put it in the poppet) and claims Elizabeth did it with witchcraft. Ezekiel Cheever (the clerk of the court) reveals this to Proctor, saying “… Abigail Williams, sir… without nor warnin’ she falls to the floor…