Crucible Essay

Responsibility

“When in doubt, tell the truth.” Spoken by Mark Twain. Twains history consists of one of the most widely loved and celebrated American writers since his first books were released in the late 1860s, early 1870s. This quote has a very interesting realism and that makes it so true because if the people in the town of Salem heard this quote, they maybe would not have had to go through the Salem witch trials. The Salem witch trials of 1692 resulted in 19 executions and 150 accusations of witchcraft. Arthur Millers is one of the greatest and most well known playwrights of the twentieth century bases many of his characters off of real, living people. The characters of The Crucible have powerful characteristics that vary from the very honorable, to the downright evil and untrustworthy, which are very much like those of the people of the day. The trials began because of three people; Abigail Williams, Tituba, and Mary Warren.

A sixteen-year-old young and innocent girl, Abigail Williams, on the outside but her appearance gave people the wrong impression. She was a two-faced person who did not care about the outcome of her actions, only if it involved herself. Also known as Reverend Parris’ niece, Abigail served as the Proctors' servant before Elizabeth fired her for having an affair with John. Abigail and John Proctor had been lovers but that soon ended. “John, I am waiting for you every night” (Page 176). Abigail’s jealousy towards Elizabeth proctor caused her to resort to blackmail. She couldn’t take the fact that John no longer loved her the way he did, and that he wanted to pretend that nothing ever happen. “Give me a word John, a soft word” (Page 176). Abigail not only went against Elizabeth, but against anyone she could think of that she did not care for. As the thought’s and ideas of witchcraft and devil worship spread through Salem, and words of other with-hunts filled newspaper, Abigail had found an easier way to get rid of her rivals without hurting her name even more. By accusing them or convincing others to accuse, Abigail was able to place many innocent people on trial for witchcraft.

Parris' slave from Barbados, Tituba was with the girls when they danced and attempted to conjure the spirits of Ann Putnam's dead children. “All of you. We danced and Tituba conjured with doesn’t want to get blamed for Ruth Putnam’s dead sisters…”(Page 175). Tituba was the first person accused of witchcraft and likewise the first person to accuse others of witchery when she finds that the easiest way to spare herself even if the charges were false. “I have no power on this child, sir” (Page 188). In her