Tituba's Treatment Of Women In The Crucible

In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, women are normally the occupants of the lowest level of society and are limited with choices in life. They often work as slaves or servants for fellow townspeople until they reach the age of marriage. Ultimately, women in Salem live a very powerless life in comparison to the many dominant men in their society. However, when the hysteria of witchcraft arises, women take advantage of this trial and use it to their own superior liking. Tituba, Betty, Mary Warren, and Abigail are all examples of women who become empowered through this time and unfortunately for some, their motives and actions can lead to deadly outcomes. Through their supposed accusations against their neighbours with regard to “seeking out” the

Due to her current position in society, she normally does not get the chance to voice her opinion and does not posses a lot of free will in society. However, Tituba secretly holds a small position of power whenever she gathers the group of young girls in the forest to create charms. This exercise allows her to be in a position of authority, one she is not normally accustomed to in daily life. Nevertheless, this power is quickly lost when Tituba becomes the first victim of the witchcraft trials. During her questioning she vaguely accuses an individual in an attempt to save her life, “Mr, Reverend, I do believe somebody else be witchin’ these children.” (Miller.1.42). This one statement creates Tituba’s atmosphere of power once again as she takes the focus off of herself and casts it onto the audience. As she continues to preach, she grows more confident until she appears to have everyone’s attention in the room. During this questioning, Hale states, “Tituba. You must have no fear…. We will protect you.” (Miller.1.43). It is in Hale’s response that proves Tituba’s voice is no longer seen as insignificant but rather meaningful, as now the other adults in the room are willing to defend her instead of accuse her. Evidently, Tituba displays a journey from a powerless standpoint to a powerful one as she uses false accusations against others to avoid personal punishment,

Betty and Marry Warren are prime examples of two people who use this unfamiliar power to get revenge on innocent people in Salem. Betty is one of the first people to follow with the witchcraft accusations due to her first hand witnessing of the position it granted Tituba. She follows suit by calling out a few names of innocent women such as Martha Bellows, Alice Barrow and others, “I saw Goody Bibber with the Devil!” (Miller.1.46). This list of women she has accused is her gateway to empowerment, as Betty now also has a voice of that is willing to be heard by the fellow members in the house. In addition, her claim continues the witchcraft trials by influencing others to do the same, as soon there are many women empowered with this gift of calling false witchcraft. As it is evident in Mary Warren, who joins this pattern after she is personally accused of witchcraft, similarly like Tituba. She decides to accuse Proctor to add on to the ongoing hysteria, “You’re the Devil’s man [Proctor].” (Miller.3.110). Her confession, like Tituba’s, put all the focus of the room on her as she continued to plead that Proctor is guilty. As a former servant of Proctor, Mary was always timid and easily taken advantage of, however this source of power has given her a new sense of identity, one that is no longer hesitant to be the center of attention. Without question, both Betty and Mary Warren are women who