Reputation In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, once said, “It takes many good deeds to build up a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, there are many people who are concerned with their standing in the village of Salem. The Crucible is about how the Salem witch trials of 1692 came to be and how it spiraled out of control. Reputation, which is a belief that many people in Salem are concerned with, is the cause of these events.
Reputation is to blame for the Salem witch trials because Deputy Governor Danforth, a judge in the Massachusetts court, allows the girls to keep telling lies to keep his authority as a stern judge. First, John Proctor, a respected land owner in Salem,

First, Mary Warren, the 17 year old servant of the Proctors, is to be held accountable because she also alleges people to protect her prestige and to try to get more respect. At the end, Mary, in a final effort to save her name in the town, arraigns John Proctor. She says, “You’re the devil’s man!” (Act IV, Line 1108-1109). Although this may be true, Mary Warren did accuse John Proctor to save her prestige, Abigail charges more people with witchcraft to protect her notoriety.Next, Mary Warren is now testifying in court against the girls, when Abigail realizes that Mary could be believed. Abigail taunts with, “Oh, Mary, it is a black art to change your shape. No, I cannot, I cannot stop my mouth; it’s God’s work I do” (Act III, Line 1005-1007). Abigail is concerned that Mary Warren is going to ruin her name in the town by outing her and the girls as a liar, so to keep her reputation, she pretends that Mary sent out her spirit to her to keep her pristine respectability. Abigail accuses anyone who calls her a liar, this causes the girls to start accusing anyone who says that they are lying as well. The girls do this so they will not get caught in a lie. Abigail is talking to Parris when he asks about why Goody Proctor, John Proctor’s wife, discharged her. Abigail responds with, “My name is good in the village! I will not have it said my name is soiled! Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!” (Act I, Line 149-151). Abigail is angry at Goody Proctor, so she accuses her to keep her reputation clean, pure, and white. Abigail’s accusations cause everyone who might be a threat to someone else’s position in the village to be charged with witchcraft. All in all, Abigail contributes to the witch trials because she alleges people to keep her name in the