Loyalty Theme In The Crucible
In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, he develops many themes throughout the play. One of the major themes is, it is better to suffer with integrity than to compromise your honor, decency, and faith to protect yourself. Miller proves this theme through the characters and their actions for themselves and for others in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. In Act I of the play, there is a repertory hysteria rolling through the town, causing certain, less fortunate people to sacrifice who they are in order to see another day. Toward the end of Act I, Tituba states, “Eternal glory. Bless him-bless God..” (Miller 24). Tituba’s faith and views on God are much different than the people of Salem, but to save herself from witchcraft, she sacrifices all that she lives by and
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sacrifices her honor with her made up story. Everyone is prejudiced toward Tituba as it is, so she has to go to great lengths to prove that she loves their God and she will do anything for them. Although compromising honor, faith and decency was an option for Tituba, many other women in Salem would never do the same. Later, in Act II, hysteria has skyrocketed, causing more accusations of more women than ever.
Mary Warren tells Elizabeth and Proctor, “He sentenced her. He must. But not Sarah Good. For Sarah Good confessed, y’see” (Miller 28). The women that were willing to stand with their faith and keep their decency hung, which they believed was a better option than confessing to something they never did, only to live the rest of their lives hated under a watchful eye. Elizabeth Proctor is an astounding example of poise and integrity. In Act II she states, “John-I think I must go with them” (Miller 37). She is not going to put up a fight because she knows that it will only cause more trauma to herself, as well as her family. Elizabeth believes in her faith, so she will follow through with these beliefs and fight for all that she believes in. Elizabeth’s husband John also suffers with integrity as his wife is being taken when he says, “Peace. It is a providence, and no great change; we are only what we always were, but naked now” (Miller 38). Proctor knows that nobody in the town is innocent, including himself. He is willing to show who he is to save his wife and try to show the true light on the witchcraft
hysteria. Being naked is a symbol to Proctor to show his inner self to the town and give in to his sins he has partaken in and to live a fuller life because of his confession. Most people have troubles deciding if they want to suffer for integrity, or if they want to compromise who they are to save themselves or their reputation. Even in more modern times, like the Red Scare, people had to prove themselves or give in to the demands of society. A lot of people make decisions in life that they will regret, but choosing to own the mistake or hide from it defines who a person becomes.
sacrifices her honor with her made up story. Everyone is prejudiced toward Tituba as it is, so she has to go to great lengths to prove that she loves their God and she will do anything for them. Although compromising honor, faith and decency was an option for Tituba, many other women in Salem would never do the same. Later, in Act II, hysteria has skyrocketed, causing more accusations of more women than ever.
Mary Warren tells Elizabeth and Proctor, “He sentenced her. He must. But not Sarah Good. For Sarah Good confessed, y’see” (Miller 28). The women that were willing to stand with their faith and keep their decency hung, which they believed was a better option than confessing to something they never did, only to live the rest of their lives hated under a watchful eye. Elizabeth Proctor is an astounding example of poise and integrity. In Act II she states, “John-I think I must go with them” (Miller 37). She is not going to put up a fight because she knows that it will only cause more trauma to herself, as well as her family. Elizabeth believes in her faith, so she will follow through with these beliefs and fight for all that she believes in. Elizabeth’s husband John also suffers with integrity as his wife is being taken when he says, “Peace. It is a providence, and no great change; we are only what we always were, but naked now” (Miller 38). Proctor knows that nobody in the town is innocent, including himself. He is willing to show who he is to save his wife and try to show the true light on the witchcraft
hysteria. Being naked is a symbol to Proctor to show his inner self to the town and give in to his sins he has partaken in and to live a fuller life because of his confession. Most people have troubles deciding if they want to suffer for integrity, or if they want to compromise who they are to save themselves or their reputation. Even in more modern times, like the Red Scare, people had to prove themselves or give in to the demands of society. A lot of people make decisions in life that they will regret, but choosing to own the mistake or hide from it defines who a person becomes.