The Crucible

A detailed Summary of The Crucible

The Crucible: Expository Writing Assignment

None of the people living in Salem Village had been ready for the terror and conviction they would have to face that winter in 1692. That year, over a hundred of the villagers were convicted of witchcraft, and nearly twenty were hung. None of the villagers had suspected that the accusers were actually the guilty ones. Three factors, which contributed to and reinforced the continuation of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, were deceit, greed, and fear.

Deceit was a factor that played a great role in continuing the trials. Many of the people living in Salem had accused others of witchcraft for numerous reasons. Most did it simply to keep the blame and suspicion off of them. An example of this was when Abigail Williams stabbed herself with a needle and claimed it was voodoo, which was a form of witchcraft. "And he goes to save her, and, stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out" (Miller 74). She also claimed that it was Elizabeth Proctor who owned the doll and had performed this act of witchcraft. "And demandin' of her how she came to be so stabbed, she-to Proctor now-testify it were your wife's familiar spirit pushed it in" (Miller 74). Another example was when

husband-did he indeed turn from you?" (Miller 113). Elizabeth replied, "My husband-is a good man, sir" (Miller 113). Then Danforth asked, "To your knowledge, has John Proctor ever committed the crime of lechery?" (Miller 113). With that, Elizabeth Proctor responded, "No sir" (Miller 113). Putnam denied their being any witches in Salem because he, among others, feared witches and witchcraft. He denied it when he responded, "No witchcraft!" (Miller 14). This was after Parris had stated, " Now, Goody Ann, they only thought that were a witch, and I am certain there be no element of witchcraft here" (Miller 14). Mary Warren feared being accused of witchcraft because it was a hanging error and she didn't want to die. She showed this when she told Abigail, "Abby, we've got to tell. Witchery's a hangin' error, a hangin' like they done in Boston two years ago!" (Miller 18). In The Crucible, people lied and accused others for fear of being accused. As a result, many others were put on trial.

Villagers feared being accused of witchcraft. They didn't want to be hung, so they started accusing others of witchcraft to keep the suspicion away from them. Because of this, fear became one of the main contributors to the continuation of the trials. Elizabeth Proctor defended John in court about the affair for fear that she may loose her husband. Danforth asked

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Approximate Word count = 910
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English