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Lies And Deception In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

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“One lie is enough to question all truths” – Anonymous, 8 July, 2013. During your childhood I am sure that you can recall your parents repeatedly telling you to be honest or that lying is wrong. In “The Crucible” Arthur Miller shows that the consequences of lies and deception to prove just how devastating they can be. The play starts off with the girls being caught in the process of preforming witchcraft in the woods, and in attempts to stay out of trouble the lies start. In act 1 Abigail tries to deceive Reverend Parris into thinking that they only danced and sang. “We did dance, uncle, and when you leaped out of the bush so suddenly, Betty was frightened and then she fainted. And there’s the whole of it.” (Miller 10). This sets up the …show more content…

The girls accused many innocent people whom they disliked for revenge, and the court had complete disregard for the truth. After Tituba was whipped and labeled a witch she saved herself with this statement “Mister Reverend I do believe somebody else be witchin these children!” (miller 45). This was the first major lie that spun out of control, leading to the accusation of the innocent residents of Salem. This highlights to them just how easy it was to deceive them into thinking whatever they wanted. At the end of Act 1 Abigail, out of vengeance, had the brilliant idea to shout out more names of people who she wanted to see in trouble, and betty took this as an invitation to do the same. ABIGAIL. Hands clasped, eyes closed. I want to open myself! I want the light of God; I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him; I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand—I saw Sarah Good. Betty’s hands appear above headboard raised toward the heaven. with the Devil! I saw Good Osburn with the devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil! As she is speaking Betty picks it up as a chant. BETTY. As all turn to her. I saw George Jacobs with the Devil! I saw Goody Howe

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