Why Is Reputation Important In The Crucible

The Puritans brought with them their “strict and somber way of life” when they developed colonies in the newly-found continent of America (Miller 4). And a series of witch trials dominated the theocratic Salem during the late Seventeenth Century. These hearings were a manifestation of the clash between vengeance and honesty, where, based on the now ancient traditions, one’s reputation mattered more than their life. This story is portrayed in Arthur Miller’s Tragedy “The Crucible,” in which the characters’ names are “subjected to very high temperatures” in a “metal container,” where their true colors are shown. These names, which are considered of utmost importance in the community, eventually created a paradox; a paradox caused by the will

For the duration of the story, Parris is looked upon as someone whose only concern is him being overthrown, without any remorse for his own daughter or his niece. He only thinks of them as being “thankful for being permitted to walk straight,” and he has no interest in “children, or talent with them” (Miller 3,4). The true test between his reputation and his integrity is shown before and during the witch trials. Instead of worrying about his daughter who is supposedly near death, Parris is concerned about how his “enemies will bring [the forest dancing event] out,” and how his “ministry’s at stake” (Miller 10,11). Subsequently, to save his name by taking the burden of justifying the forest incident, he complies with his niece’s false accusations, and as a religious figure, sets chaos in Salem. Eventually, during the trials, he continuously makes himself look superior by denigrating the accused, especially John Proctor. Parris utters on about how Proctor “is mischief” and the he came “to overthrow the court” (Miller 88, 92). And his individualistic nature, represented by the golden candlesticks, eventually destroyed his own life, as he lost all his savings, along with many innocents

Along with Judge Hathorne, Danforth attempted to cease the news of rebellions, like the one in Andover, by exhibiting his tyrannical reputation which he gained from governing the colonies. To repeal Francis Nurse’s arguments on the girls’ treachery, Danforth exclaims on about how “four hundred are in jails from Marblehead to Lynn” and “seventy-two condemned to hang” by his signature (Miller 87). He tries safeguard the judicial system by instilling fear into the hearts of the innocent and the frail, like Nurse and Corey, without thinking about their concerns. He rules the court with an iron fist and states how his decisions are just, which, ironically, sends the accused to jail. “We burn a hot fire[which] melts all concealment,” he declared, and “no uncorrupted man may fear the court” (Miller 89, 98). However, his trust on the court and superstition instead of proper evidence, and with his reputation in jeopardy, clouded his judgement. This personality of his eventually led to several jailed under his decree, with his name and the name of the court under pressure. He tried to cease the opposition to the law by saving Proctor, but to no avail. Even though Danforth tried to be just in every aspect, who would “hang ten thousand that dares to raise against the law,” his will to save the name of the government instead of