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The Crucible: Reputation And Irony

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Recommended: Critically discuss the significance of reputation in the crucible

Denis Diderot once said, “we swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter.” This quote relates to The Crucible in the way it states that people will be accept any lie that helps them in any way. Like Mary, who went along with the lies just so she wouldn't get in trouble. Also, how it states we don't accept the truth if we don't like it relating to Danforth knowing the girl were lying, but going along with it because he didn't like it. In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, Miller utilizes Biblical references and irony to emphasize the recurring theme that lying is okay as long as you get away unscathed, because of reputation and revenge and the effects it has on everyone in Salem. The idea …show more content…

When Mary finally decides to stop lying and confesses to never seeing spirits Danforth questions her making her lie again to save herself. “I will tell you this-you are either lying now, or you were lying in the court, and in either case you have committed perjury and you will go to jail for it. You cannot lightly say you lied, Mary. Do you know that?”(3.515.758-764). This quote shows that once Mary tells the truth instead of the decision of if that is the truth or not being out in the courts hands, it's put into Abigail's. It is an act of one person's word against another. the court assumes the girl’s are telling the truth disregarding reputation as the decider of the truth, which gives the girls all the power. Another example of how lying is okay as long as you get away with it in The Crucible, is when Elizabeth lies to Danforth about Abigail and Proctor's affair. “To your own knowledge, has John Proctor ever committed the crime of lechery? (In a crisis of indecision she cannot speak.) Answer my question! Is your husband a lecher! (faintly) No, sir.”(3.521.1234-1240). This quote is an example of dramatic irony in the way that the audience knows John confessed to adultery and Elizabeth lies to protect her husband's reputation as an act of forgiveness for him cheating on her, resulting in Proctor getting carried away to prison. Also, knowing this is Elizabeth's first time lying in a situation where it matters the

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In “The Crucible” the lies, deceit, and mistrust all came from Abigail Williams and the girls she had under her “rule” because of greedy wants and revenge on certain townsfolk. Lies and deceit captured the whole intent of “The Crucible”. Greed played into it as well which lead to mistrust which came from the lies and deceit. In the end no one got what they wanted. Many people felt down because of the decisions that were made in the moments but no one was sure who was really underneath the Devil and who saw what spirit and

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The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, is a surprising story of a town plagued by the belief that witches have invaded the streets of Salem, Massachusetts. With the use of heavy dramatic irony, those that encounter the story experience frustration as the result of many innocent townsfolk being condemned to death. The readers of the story recognize the fictitious proclamations of witchcraft, but those in the town of Salem actually validate the accusations against the alleged witches. Falsely accused and falsely condemned, the “witches” are sentenced to the rope; all this occurred simply because Abigail Williams wanted to obtain the affection of the man she loved, John Proctor. Through crazy stories and expressive writing, Miller took the reader on a captivating journey back to 1692 where bizarre things befell those residing in Salem.

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Elizabeth is always true to herself and doesn 't hide from who she truly is. Abigail is a foil for Elizabeth due to their conflicting personalities and choices. The lesson to learn from these two is not to lie, do not push your luck beyond a certain limit, and be true to yourself. If the world or even just a few of its inhabitants learned these lessons, we could grow as a whole and lead a better and brighter future towards the next generation and leave our impact

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This disgusting behavior seen today is also seen in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. The Crucible is the story of a young Puritan woman in 1692 Massachusetts who made false witchcraft accusations in an attempt to save her life and to end a rival’s life. While her actions are horrific and the cause of numerous deaths, the actions of the adults around her that enabled her lies to cost lives are despicable. Through his dishonest characters, specifically Reverend Parris, Judge Danforth, and John Proctor, Miller exposes the evils of lying to save one’s name and the destruction that inevitably ensues.

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It is a horrifying to be Since the beginning, Abigail has told lies that are excruciating. Abigail screams out “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 with the Devil!

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811 Words | 4 Pages

The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a dramatic play that expresses a very important message and that is how far people would go to save themselves from the hands of death. There are many characters in the Crucible who are guilty of taking innocent lives, but there are three major characters who, without a doubt, are the most at blame. The play takes place in the city of Salem, a city filled with people that would do anything to keep their reputation clean. Throughout the play, Miller is introducing multiple characters that experience changes in their decisions and negatively influence more people eventually leading up to the witch trials. The main point that the story revolves around is that people would rather lie and blame someone else instead of confessing and accepting the punishment.

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Secondly, Judge Danforth’s irrationality and ignorance brings about poor decisions on his part. One of the instances where Danforth reveals his following attitude is when he denies to even look at a deposition presented by John Proctor as described by his words “ No, no, I accept no depositions” (Miller 88). John Proctor hands him a deposition signed by Mary warren, stating that the accusations made by Abigail and the girls are false. In this regard Judge Danforth replies to John Proctor by repetitively says “No” thereby emphasizing his adamant view on this subject.

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Also, in attempt to tell the truth about Abigail, John Proctor admits to cheating on his wife with Abigail, but Elizabeth lets her fear assist her in lying. John Proctor tells everyone in the court, previous to Elizabeth arriving, “she [has] never lied” (III.891.). With everyone now knowing that she does not lie, it makes her trustworthy and believable. Deputy Danforth then brings Elizabeth in to confirm what

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444 Words | 2 Pages

Lying is the most committed sin. Everyday people lie whether small or big. Every human knows that lying should not be exercised, but sometimes, in certain situations, lying is necessary due to the consequences of telling the truth. In the Bible, James 3:8, quoted is “But no human being can tame the tongue, it is a relentless evil, full of deadly poison.”

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In a setting of Salem, Massachusetts 1692, religion is the direct reflection of one's social standing. Reputation is extremely important for the town, as it is your only way to get a fair hearing and respect from the people. The protectiveness of reputation is necessary in The Crucible to justify yourself when presented with fallacious arguments. In this play the importance of reputation is revealed though the uses of ethos, logos and pathos. The protectiveness of reputation is uncovered through various characters such as Reverend Hale, Reverend Parris, and John Proctor.

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(Miller 18). Mary was afraid of Abigail Williams and didn’t tell the truth fearing that Abigail would hurt her. While, she developed as a character and made better choices for herself. Acts 3 and 4 she attempted to help John try to accuse Abigail Williams of lying about witchcraft in the court. “I-I promise you, Mr.Danforth, I only thought I saw them but I did not’.

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561 Words | 3 Pages

Danforth expresses his opinions on lying when Mary Warren enter his court to confess herself and he begins the conversation by saying, “How were you instructed in your life? Do you not know that God damns all liars?” (Miller 101). Through this statement he clearly demonstrates his belief that lying will send a person to Hell. As the story progresses, Danforth and many other officials begin to realize that the entire situation in Salem progressed to far and honest people will continue to die unless they can convince people to lie in order to save themselves.

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842 Words | 4 Pages

People lie for many reasons. Sometimes it’s to themselves, sometimes it’s to others. No matter who they are lying to, it always affects others around you. In the story The Crucible by Arthur Miller, lying is a very common theme. Many characters lie, which include John Proctor, Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and many others.

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429 Words | 2 Pages

She will say or do anything to cover up the fact that she took a blood charm to kill John Proctor's wife, whom she had affair with. Abigail threatens the girls that she will come “in the black of some terrible night” if they mention what happened to anyone that night (1.1.1244). Abigail Williams will also lie about anything to

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1011 Words | 5 Pages

Because the accusers were merely young women, of course they would be telling the truth. This demonstrates how males ruled Salem, but how women could efficiently portray their purity and trustworthiness through their innocence and ability to appear naïve, as men were privileged and women were marginalised and of as lower class. The power that gender has also deeply affects the power that a name holds. Men are the ones who carry on their name, therefore it is important that their name holds a certain power or role in the town. For example, Proctor did not want to admit to being part of any witchcraft because he did not want to have his name blackened for the sake of his children and wife.

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