The Crucible Integrity Essay

In the face of adversity, it’s often our values that guide us. Integrity is essential for maintaining a just and moral society. In Arthur Miller’s, The Crucible, the importance of honesty in day-to-day life is a central theme that runs throughout the play. The story tells of a community torn apart by accusations of witchcraft, and the individuals who struggle to maintain their honor in the face of adversity. Integrity is the foundation of a healthy society because it promotes peace, justice, and respect for oneself and others. Justice is important because it ensures everyone is treated fairly and equitably, regardless of their background or circumstances. When justice is served people feel that they have been heard and that their rights have

I have rung the doom of my good name.” (Miller 111). This quote shows that even though John Proctor values his reputation and his integrity, he is willing to sacrifice them to expose the truth about the witch trials. He is willing to confess his own sins, but he will not untruthfully accuse others of witchcraft. When the judges and Hale brought Proctor in to confess to witchcraft, he instead admits his infidelity with Abigail, proving that his morals are strong. He would not let an innocent person take the blame for something wrong that he did, showing justice. Justice is important because it ensures that individuals are treated fairly and equitably, regardless of their race, gender, or socioeconomic status. It is a fundamental principle of any society. However, as the accusation of witchcraft piles up, the definition of justice becomes more and more complicated. The characters in the crucible are forced to confront the question of whether the accused are actually guilty, or whether they are simply victims of a witch hunt. Either way, too many innocent lives were taken. This was demonstrated when Reverend Hale said, “Excellency, I have signed seventy-two death warrants; I

This helps to build strong relationships and communities because they are based on mutual trust and respect. The crucible, however, lacked respect in several different ways. One of the most significant ways is how the characters treat each other. A great example of this is when Mrs. Ann Putnnam had said to Rebecca Nurse, “You think it God’s work you should never lose a child, nor grand-child either, and I bury all but One?” (Miller 28). Mrs. Putnams attempt to blame Rebecca Nurse for her baby dying shows her deficiency of respect for others because she is trying to shift the responsibility for her own misfortunes onto someone else. Instead of taking ownership of her own action and accepting the possibility that there may be other explanations for her baby's death, she is looking for someone else to blame. This also shows the lack of respect for herself because she is not giving herself the proper tools and time to grieve properly, and instead placing the accountability into someone else's hands. Self-respect allows individuals to maintain a positive sense of self-worth and dignity, regardless of their circumstances or the opinions of others. However, many of the characters throughout the play were quick to accuse one another of witchcraft without any evidence, leading to false accusations and wrongful convictions. For instance, when Parris said to Tituba, “You will confess