Crucible Essay

The Crucible

            In Arthur Miller’s novel, The Crucible, it is seen that hysteria enabled the town of Salem, Massachusetts to flourish in witchcraft. It became a community where once upright citizens were accused of committing absurd crimes. The town engaged in rumors which caused much panic and apprehension. The latter, caused the town to be blind to what was truly right. The hysteria was perpetuated by many people in the town in order to benefit them. Abigail Williams was a teenager who was responsible for a lot of drama as well as incited the trials because of her behavior.  Also, Reverend Parris tried to conceal the inappropriate behavior of his daughter by blaming others. In addition, the Putnams wanted to blame others for something that couldn’t be controlled. Ultimately, the three characters noted to be responsible for the witch trials are Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and the Putnams.                                

            Abigail Williams provoked the witch trials in the town of Salem.  Abigail’s parents were dead so she had no one to look up to or someone to tell her what was right and wrong.  When John Proctor had an affair with Abigail, she thought that he was truly in love with her and wanted to be with her.  “I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart!  I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men!  And now you bid me tear the light out of my eyes?  I will not, I cannot!  You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet” (Miller 24)!  This quote clearly explains that the affair John had with Abigail belonged to the past.  He tried to put the incident behind him while for Abigail she had no sense of closure.  She begged him to come back to her and leave Elizabeth.  John didn’t love Abigail and she could not see that.  John only had an affair with her because his wife was sick and wasn’t able to do those things.  Abigail made the town of Salem pay by being a leader and inspiring the deaths of innocent people. Abigail was very upset with John Proctor and she then directed her anger at his wife, Elizabeth. One example in which Abigail tried to blame Elizabeth in order to get her out of the picture was “Why, look at my leg. I’m holes all over from their damned needles and pins.  The jab your wife gave me’s not healed yet, y’know” (Miller 149). Abigail then continues to lash out inappropriately and this behavior is what incites and contributes to the initiation of the trials.

            Not only was Abigail Williams responsible for the witch trials, but Reverend Parris played a major role as well.  Parris felt that with Abigail’s progressively more uncertain actions and the hints of witchcraft would threaten his reputation.  “It must come out-my enemies will bring it out.  Let me know what you done there.  Abigail, do you understand that I have many enemies” (Miller 10)?  Parris was exceedingly paranoid, and a power-hungry man who cared more about his reputation than he did about his about sick daughter, Betty.  He was well liked by many people in the town and had modest respect.  Parris did not pay any attention to what was most important in his life.  Reverend Parris also left out the fact that his own niece, Abigail, had been caught dancing in the forest.  This also showed he was desperate to protect his reputation and he didn’t want this information leaked out. As a result, Parris was quick to judge others such as when he spoke about John Proctor, “He’s come to overthrow this court, Your Honor” (Miller 92)!  Parris wanted to get rid of the townspeople who were against him. He did not want to lose his position as minister of the town which as a result led him to contribute to the trials.

            Lastly, it can be seen that the Putnams had a basis to bring forth and foster the witch trials. While Tituba was being accused of witchcraft, she was asked who came with her to the Devil.  She said that she saw Goody Good and Goody Osburn.  “I knew it!  Goody Osburn were midwife to me three times.  I begged you, Thomas, did I not?  I begged him not to call Osburn because I feared her.  My babies always shriveled in her hands” (Miller 47)!  Here, Mrs. Putnam stated that Goody Good and Goody Osburn were the reason for the death of her children.  She, like the others wrongfully accused people of something that was not in their control.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Putnam wanted to blame and put Goody Good and Goody Osburn in prison because their seven children had died at birth. Also, they wanted to gain more land, and if these people were put in prison or hung, they could undertake this.  Thus, they suspected witches killed their children and not natural diseases which provoked them to instigate the accusations of the trials.

            Many people in the town of Salem were accused of witchcraft even though they were innocent.  The community was composed of many respected and responsible individuals.  However, during the course of the story these citizens become unscrupulous and are driven to accuse others in the town for their own personal gain.  This sets in motion a town full of hysteria and blame which created an environment in which the trials were brought to fruition.  An innocent teenager named Abigail Williams, blamed John Proctor because she was too young to understand what their affair was about.  Also, Reverend Parris had ulterior motives of trying to uphold his reputation and position within the town.  The Putnams too, had material gains to spread the notion of witchcraft.  Thus, Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris, and the Putnams were ultimately responsible for the propagation of the trials due to their own inherent needs and wants.