Throughout the chaos of the Salem witch trials portrayed in Arthur Miller's The Crucible, countless men and women were wrongly convicted of witchcraft. Amongst all those unjustly tried, the conviction that comes as a shock to both townspeople of Salem and readers alike is the conviction and consequential hanging of Rebecca Nurse. Despite not being the protagonist of The Crucible, Rebecca has a profound effect on the story and those around her as a prominent and highly regarded figure of Salem.
Prior to her indictment for witchcraft, Rebecca Nurse was the wise voice of reason in Salem. Miller makes a comment about her reputation in Salem, claiming it to be “... so high that to anyone who dared cry her out for a witch—and more, how adults could bring themselves to lay hands on her—we must look to the fields and boundaries of that time” (Miller 840). As such, Rebecca is one of the first people Reverend Parris has summoned to aid his daughter Betty in
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It is through her reputation and vast experience that the town of Salem looks to Rebecca for local guidance.
Her importance in the town goes beyond just problem solving and providing sympathy as she is also looked on upon as an upholding, role model citizen. This is mentioned a number of times by several people, but Hale puts in his reaction to Rebecca’s wrongful conviction: “Believe me, Mr. Nurse, if Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing’s left to stop the whole green world from burning” (Miller 858). To have someone outside of Salem make such a remark about Rebecca’s conviction speaks volumes in regards to her character. Even as her end looms near and she’s offered the chance to save herself from being hanged if she falsely confessed to witchcraft, Rebecca refuses, proclaiming: “Why, it is a lie, it is a lie; how may I damn myself? I cannot, I cannot” (Miller 885). It’s statements like these seen throughout The Crucible that continue to testify Rebecca’s character until the very