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The Crucible Reputation Essay

602 Words3 Pages

In the play, “The Crucible”, reputation is viewed as a main and important theme, representing its significance in the lives of the characters among the Salem witch trials. The characters' obsession with maintaining or reclaiming their reputations affect a lot of the play, revealing the destructive power of social judgment and the desperate measures of keeping one's honor. This essay explores the complex importance of reputation in “The Crucible” through the characters' social dynamics, motivations and the context that is given within the play. Firstly, reputation serves as a measure of social status and respectability in the Salem Society. In this strict community represented in the play, the characters are constantly under very careful examination. …show more content…

This demonstrates that maintaining one’s reputation is not only a personal concern, but also essential for their social status in Salem. As the characters navigate the unchangeable social order of Salem, the importance of reputation becomes more noticeable. In the never-changing social order of Salem, reputation acts like a shield against accusations during the panic of the witch trials. The characters are quick to accuse each other of getting rid of their own suspicion. Those with strong reputations like Rebecca Nurse are initially not suspected, however people like John Proctor are not immune to these accusations despite his strong reputation "I have known her, sir. I have known her" (Miller, Act ll), his affair is one of the weapons that are used against him. In the environment of the witch trials, there is a lot of fear and paranoia. The characters deflect their suspicions onto others to keep themselves safe, making reputation a form of protection. This demonstrates the significant role reputation plays in the lives of the characters as it influences their actions and decisions during the panic of the witch

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