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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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