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The Lessons Of Salem Analysis

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One’s identity can make or break you. This is being demonstrated in The Crucible by Arthur Miller, “Half- Hanged Mary” written by Margret Atwood and “The Lessons of Salem” by Laura Shapiro. The play The Crucible is about how reputation impacts the puritan and Salem society, while “Half-Hanged Mary” is a woman who is accused of witchcraft when innocent and is hanged but does not die. “The Lessons of Salem” is about the Salem witch trials through Americans history that has to do with the inequalities of the people when these texts are examined together they indicate that reputation is the most important thing a person can have in life. Reputation is a powerful tool but if not used properly it can easily ruin your life. In The Crucible John Proctor goes to his death falsely being a witch, but he redeems and gains his esteem by confessing he committed adultery. Proctor chooses death over having a bad reputation and perceives his social standing. “How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” …show more content…

In "Half-Hanged Mary" , Mary was accused for witchcraft with no evidence at all she along with many others. "Having been hanged for something I never said" (Atwood Later). Mary lost her sanity, she does not feel like it is fair. Mary becomes in power for the reason she can not be hanged for not reason. In The Crucible , Abigail proclaims to Reverend Parris, "My name is good in the village! I will not have it said my name is soiled!" (Miller 12). This reflects the individualism of reputation, she talks about having a good name and her identity. Abigail seeks to not have her name slandered. This is demonstrated in "The Lessons of Salem" as well, "In 1962, those who confessed to witchcraft were spared, only those who insisted on their innocence were hanged" (Shapiro 1). People chose to prove they were innocent by dying truthful to themselves and not admitting to a crime they did not

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It's she put me out, you cannot pretend it were you. I saw your face when she put me out, and you loved me then and you do now!"  (Miller 22) This refers to how Abigail was kicked from John Proctor's by his wife Goody Proctor. Another scenario in the book was when people were accusing other people of witchcraft just so they can get their land.

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In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the setting is Salem, Massachusetts during the late 1600s where the town’s pious Puritan beliefs directly influence their government. A 17-year-old girl named Abigail Williams had an affair with John Proctor, a wealthy, married man. Abigail is told by John to move on but instead, Abigail starts accusing the townspeople of witchcraft, including John Proctor’s wife Elizabeth. As this hysteria begins to rise, other people such as Thomas Putnam, a rich landowner, start to also allege Salem villagers. In this play, the author illustrates the central idea that people should not allow jealousy to control their actions.

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In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John Proctor is accused of performing witchcraft and contracting with the Devil. He is faced with the decision to either confess to or deny the accusations. Ultimately, Proctor chooses to deny the accusations and dies a martyr. Proctor’s decision to sacrifice himself is justified because he protected the reputation of those who died and risked being arrested to save his wife, Elizabeth Proctor. John Proctor’s death is justified because he was willing to sacrifice his life to protect the reputation of others.

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But God made my face; you cannot want to tear my face. Envy is a deadly sin, Mary,” (Miller 3. 999-1002). Hectically, Abigail claimed this because she recognized that if she didn’t make a scene to convince the court of Mary’s bewitched spirit, all of her lies would’ve been figured out. In doing this, Abigail effectively intensified the people of Salem’s tenacious confidence that witchcraft existed in their village, which in turn acted as propaganda to fuel the fire of

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In Arthur Miller's "The Crucible", John Proctor is our passive protagonist as he tries to save his wife and others that were accused of witchcraft. Unfortunately, his attempt was in vain and his evidence had backfired. His knowledge did not stop the witch trials because of his self-respect, and the children's high reputations, and Abigail's tactful nature. John Proctor valued his self-respect because it made him confident and helped him stand up for what he believed in. John proctor's name was synonymous with honor and integrity and was most respected in Salem.

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In result of abigail bluffing all the time the town went into hysteria, this is a perfect example of the consequences of not owning up and taking responsibility because what she did saved herself from punishment although in doing so it killed 20 people and endangered many others. If abigail had used her hysterical lie where she confessed to god and said that she was free of the devil’s curse and didn’t blame anyone none of those people who were hang would have died and the witch trials could have been avoided all together. The other representation of taking responsibility, as I once said, would be john proctor because at the very end he refuses to lie to save himself and he takes responsibility by lying about him being possessed, then refusing to sign the confession and ripping it up; in doing so he made sure nobody else got killed and ended the killings of witch accusations because the town knew the judges had no right to accuse him because of his reputation, and the type of person he

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Afterwards, however, Abigail gave many people a reason to look at one another with a curious eye and question them. When the Putnams went to Reverend Parris’s house, they begin to accuse the girls of witchcraft. Reverend Parris says, “Thomas, Thomas, I pray you, leap not to witchcraft” (Miller 141). If Abigail had not been caught out in the woods and caused questionable behavior, then no one in the town would have had a reason to think about witchcraft in the first place. Also, the way Abigail gains authority over other people allows her to stir up more about witchcraft.

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Reputations have an immense influence on people 's social interactions. The effects the word of mouth has can either leave a detrimental impact or a positive impact on one’s status. People usually decide if they will associate with someone based on what they have heard about a person 's character. Throughout history, word of mouth has affected decisions and events. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller portrays the impact that rumors and gossip can have on a person’s good name.

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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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Abigail is extremely concerned with her well-being and reputation. In Act One, Reverend Parris confronts Abigail about dancing in the forest, and, instead of confessing, she begins denouncing others. This illustrates how she is willing to allow others to be harmed because of her extreme fear. One example of this is when Abigail states, “Not I sir—Tituba and Ruth” (Miller 15). The character of the residents of Salem is not exceptional.

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Through the Salem witch trials, twenty-four innocent people lost their lives due to betrayal. They were hung because they were accused and found to be guilty of witchcraft. In reality, everyone that was accused and had died were innocent, but used as targets by others to save their own lives. In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, out of fear, Abigail Williams, Mary Warren, Mercy Lewis, and Reverend Hale betrayed their morals to save themselves. As a result of betrayal, lives were taken, relationships were ruined, and trusts were broken.

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In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John Proctor was accused of witchcraft. John Proctor was a man of great integrity and knew he did nothing wrong. He was given the choice to confess and lie or be hung. Being the honest and stubborn man that he was, he decided his name was more important than his life. John struggled both internally and with others while trying to fight for what he thought was right.

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Abigail and a group of girls went to court and blame 200 people. Abigail went to court, and told them that Elizabeth Proctor was practicing witchcraft, and got her arrested. When John Proctor went to court, the girls pretended that he was the devil. Giles tries to explain to the court how Abigail is pure evil, and trying to get revenge: “Aye, how she is solemn and goes to hang people!” (3.1.875).

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Arthur Miller’s portrayal of a town in the midst of a downfall “The Crucible”, tells the story of how mob mentality and hysteria can significantly influence not only individuals but the whole town. This mob mentality leads to unthoughtful acts and false accusations. Two characters who demonstrate how mob mentality can lead to the demise of Salem are Abigail and Mary Warren. As Abigail begins to be accused she is pressured to deter from the truth. While Mary Warren gets pressured by Proctor to reveal the truth about Abigail, but the overwhelming pressure from the mob makes her turn from the truth.

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Power and influence in society have a huge impact on the way things happen and affects perception. A prime example is the power that presidents and prime ministers have. Given this power they can effectively influence and persuade others. Power and influence is often associated with gender, conflict and roles and relationships. The importance of the power and influence can be thoroughly examined using texts that demonstrate ideas presented as truths.

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