Internal Conflicts in The Cruc
In Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, he tells the story of the notorious Salem witch trials. During this mayhem the people of this small village are faced with false accusations, lies, and sins commited either for the survival of their own lives or to harm others. In a crisis such as this where all the evidence is invisible and the only witness to testify is the victim, all that the people are left with are their own principles, morals, and faith. Unfortunately some are forced to depart from their strongest beliefs and others completely lose their sense of right or wrong with the strong energy that created this entire catastrophe. Three characters in Miller's play who abandon their ethics are Mary Warren, whose whole personality turns upside down, John Proctor, who contemplates between the importance of his family and his good name, and Reverend Hale, who battles with himself whether to do what his job says or do what he believes is right.Mary Warren is a girl who is confused with her own uncertainties throughout the play. At the start of the play she is perceived to be a very shy girl who will never speak her mind as shown when Proctor sends her home and she responds with, "I'm just going home" (Miller 21). As the play contin
John Proctor, a common farmer and village man, is similarly faced with an inner dilemma apart from the witch trials; he had committed adultery with Abigail Williams. He had no intentions of joining the witch trials until Abigail accused his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, of witchcraft. Elizabeth is eventually set free due to the fact that she is pregnant. John feels that he can't stop now just because his wife is free for the time being. He later says to Elizabeth, "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 136) He decides he would rather confess than die. However, as John confesses, he does not allow Danforth to have the paper knowing that it will be posted on the church. As Danforth asks him why, John answers with a cry, "Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!"(Miller 143) John feels strongly about keeping a good name not only for himself but for his children. Proctor weighs both sides of his situation and realizes that he must not make another mistake. Knowing that if he confessed everyone he came to save would be executed by his word John sets himself to death. As John is set up for his execution Elizabeth weeps saying, "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!"(Miller 145) Proctor's conflict
Some common words found in the essay are:
Reverend Hale, Danforth John, Mary Warren, Arthur Miller's, John Proctor, Abigail Tried, Elizabeth Proctor, Elizabeth Nothing's, Abigail Williams, Finally Mary, witch trials, mary warren, john proctor, reverend hale, john feels, elizabeth proctor, false accusations, miller's play, internal conflict,
Approximate Word count = 1014
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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