False Decisions Depicted In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

Terry Brooks, an American fictional author once said, “We are constantly being put to the test by trying circumstances and difficult people and problems not necessarily of our own making.” This quote relates to the characters in The Crucible, by Arthur Miller because of the problems that they face. Already challenged with tough decisions, the characters continue to test each other throughout the play by the ways that they lie, the ways that they make false accusations, and the ways that they ultimately die for a cause.
At the beginning of the play, Abigail Williams places her life before others, and lies to avoid trouble. Instead of telling the truth about what happened when Parris caught her dancing naked in the woods, she lies multiple times.

Abigail Williams maliciously claims that some of her neighbors practice witchcraft. The judges in court test her to find out what other witches are present in the town, posing a threat to their society. Through questioning, they find that Tituba allegedly bewitched her by making her drink blood, laugh during prayers in church, and have bad dreams during the night. Abigail dishonestly states in open court, “She made me do it! She made Betty do it! … She made me drink blood (Act 1, 1260)” When the courts test Abby to see if she would admit the truth, she fails and brings others down with her in the process. She is not the only one to make false accusations. In addition to Abby, Ann Putnam makes a false witchcraft accusation that kills Rebecca Nurse. Ann Putnam claims that Rebecca Nurse remains responsible for killing all of her babies except for one. This is a false accusation because it is clear that Ann Putnam has gone mad over her lost babies. To put herself at ease, Ann looks for the slightest reason to blame anyone for the death of her infants. Additionally, Ann Putnam acts jealous of Rebecca Nurse because she is 26 times a grandmother and Ann fails to successfully have more than one baby. Besides Abby and Ann Putnam, Parris also makes a false accusation. He declares that Proctor makes attempts to overthrow the court. He states that Proctor plows on Sundays, does not go to church regularly, he rips the warrant, and never baptized

Danforth tests John Proctor to see if he would confess to witchcraft or not. Danforth tells Proctor, “You will give me your honest confession in my hand, or I cannot keep you from the rope (Act 4, 1333)”. Danforth explains for Proctor to remain alive , he must give the court documentation that he practices witchcraft. Near the end of the play, John Proctor stays true to the truth and does not confess to witchcraft. He chooses to die so that his sons do not have to live with the name of a liar. Proctor also says that Danforth will not use him as an example. He states,”You will not use me! I am no Sarah Good or Tituba, I am John Proctor! You will not use me! It is no part of my salvation that you should use me” (Act 4, 1132)! Like John, Giles Corey also died at the hands of the court because he would not answer the courts the way they wanted. Although the author portrays him as an old man who only wanted to sue people, he dies for a cause. Any man who dies for a cause deserves honor. The judges tested Giles to see if he would give in to their demands, but he stuck to his will and the court crushed him to death. The reason he died under the law was because he knew if he confessed and chose to live; the courts would take his land. Finally, Rebecca Nurse also dies for a crime she did not commit when Ann Putnam tries to test her. When the judges try her in court for killing the Putnam babies, the judges sentenced her to death