The Selfish Nature Of Reputation In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

When humans are faced with a threat that imposes on their reputation they’ll step on others to keep themselves afloat. Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is a 1953 play based off the Salem Witch Trials. It is a dramatized and partially fictionalized take on the events that transpired in Salem Massachusetts 1692. In The Crucible Arthur Miller utilizes literary techniques such as tone and POV to provide commentary on the hysteria that was the Salem Witch Trials and the true nature of humans in the face of adversity. Arthur Miller uses characterization to portray the selfish nature of reputation in John Proctor, demonstrating that such an evil perspective completely eliminates empathy for others. Proctors selfish nature can be observed throughout the

After hearing of Betty Parris’s condition, John Proctor travels to Reverend Parris’s house to evaluate the situation. As soon as he hears the story of the girls dancing in the woods being the cause of Betty’s condition he suspects Abigail and pulls her aside to talk to her. “Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I’ll reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby,”(Miller 23). Proctors rejection is brutal and clear cut as not only does he tell Abby he would prefer self harm to another relationship with her but also tells her to go on as if this never happened assuming control of the situation. Telling Abby he would rather “cut off my hand” before he looks to reconnect with her is clearly an exaggeration but such language used with a younger girl may not come off as intended. Abigail clearly has feelings for Proctor after their affair however, Proctor would rather sweep it under the rug as if nothing happened, not taking her feelings into

“Learn charity, woman. I have gone tiptoe in this house all seven month since she is gone. I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you, still an everlasting funeral marches around your heart. I cannot speak but I am doubted, every moment judged for lies, as though I come into a court when I come into this house,”(Miller 55). Proctor is able to effectively paint Elizabeth dispiriting person by telling her a “everlasting funeral marches around your heart”. He then presses her as argumentative by claiming “I come into court when I come into this house”. Based off his tone it is clear Proctor has lost his temper and is directing his anger towards Elizabeth. In John Proctor being caught up with his own tainted reputation he fails to regard Elizabeth’s true feelings and scolds her for still feeling betrayed. Not only this but his fear of Abigail potentially revealing their relationship when he tells the town of her lies outweighs bringing an end to the Salem trials