How Does Abigail Williams Cause Conflict In The Crucible

Shawn Jande Ms. Clancy American Literature B3 15 November 2015 The Crucible Analytical Essay Imagine, being accused of a crime you didn’t commit by your neighbors and friends out of jealousy, and desire. This is what many people in the town of Salem had to go through during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. People's motives such as: gaining and maintaining power, and aspirations for what other people had caused them to make irrational, and atrocious decisions. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, desire and power drive characters to create chaos in the community. One way the tensions of the community in Salem are created in the play is through tone.

This shows John’s heroism because not many people would openly admit to disliking their minister, especially when they are being interrogated for witchcraft. He stood up for his opinion even when the stakes are so high. Such a statement would be taken as an act against the church directly, though Hale senses John’s honesty and takes the statement at face value. Another clear example of John’s heroism happened towards the end of the play when he refused to sign his confession. In refusing to do so, he called out the corrupted justice system.

This issue invaded people´s mind with insane ideas; this caused hysteria, causing chaos around the whole village. Trials were made to some people that supposedly committed witchcraft; but these trial were unfair. The only way so save their lives from hanging in a rope was to confess. Lots of people were accused unfairly so, they did not wanted to confess something false. But, during this hysteria in the whole village many people got some power from these events.

My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing’s spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before” (Miller 1352). He is ultimately giving up his confession even though he knows it is not the right thing to do. A previous break to Proctor’s Christianity beliefs is when he commits adultery; however, instead of standing up for himself he gives into the court’s desire. When John Proctor confesses, his actions prove a huge weakness John Proctor has.

When push comes to shove, everyone makes a tough decision, but in the end the decision was either out of fear to protect themselves, or a strategy to gain a designated amount of authority. In today 's society, many of the decisions people make lead to riots in the streets and people getting hurt. Similarly, the Ferguson riot in Missouri years ago, where many civilians were injured because of decisions made by everyone involved. Whether it turned violent because they wanted to prove something or because they feared the police when they showed up. In the story, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, the characters also illustrate the fact that it is human nature to defend oneself, to strive to survive despite the harm such actions can cause to

Judge Danforth’s unwavering egotism culminates in the unfortunate deaths of Salem townsfolk. Arthur Miller’s classic play The Crucible demonstrates how the actions of one person can affect many others. Judge Danforth cares more about his own reputation than what is right. Often times people try to think of what is right instead of saving their own face, Judge Danforth is an exception to this stereotype. The Salem Witch Trials were a horrible time where many people lost their lives due to an unjust court system.

This could be stating that he ran because he was guilty, but if he was then chances are the bishop would have believed her and he wouldn’t have gotten a promotion. Sister Aloysius even stated at the end of it all that she had doubts. Sister Aloysius: “I have doubts! I have such doubts!” (Shanley 58) She is not sure if her own claims were the truth or not which leaves us to wonder if Father Flynn was innocent or guilty. I believe that Father Flynn was falsely accused and never actually committed those kinds of acts with Donald Muller.

She said it “faintly” as if she felt bad for] but still said it to save her husband. When john said, “I have confessed it” this makes the fact that she lied certain. Elizabeth then said. “Oh God” because she realized that she just sentenced John for lying to the court which is a great offense. At the end of the quote John makes one more thing certain when he said, “She only thought to save my name”.

It last theory is that the afflicted girls accused the victims because they wanted revenge, but it is unlikely for children to hold a grudge with so many people. Most of the accusers came from high families, “Was some of the witch hunting the result of that big fight between Reverend Parris and the members of his congregation who refused to pay his salary”(- Schanzer 113)? Could it be that the parents of the accusers were malicious and fervently wanted to purposely cause their enemies to be condemned to death. It is quite a possibility due to the fact that people were not as friendly with each other as they are today. “But in the trials, neighbors also testified against neighbors, bringing up grievances as a way of getting revenge”(-Spiritual Travels).

Although the townspeople of Salem used religion as the reason for the witch hunt, the witch hunt created chaos because people started using it a revenge mechanism. Much of what happens in Salem still resembles some things we see in society today. The word of one man can change people’s ideas and images of another without conclusive evidence. What people fear the most can sometimes bind us together, even if it is not