Theme Of Honesty In The Crucible
A person’s true character is shown in times of hardship. When in this hardship, some people will turn to honesty. Other people will do whatever it takes to protect their name. One character, Abigail Williams, in The Crucible by Arthur Miller is faced with this decision. The Crucible is a play that takes place in Salem, Massachusetts during the Salem Witch Trials. Abigail Williams was one of the girls who lied and said that she saw witches in town. Throughout The Crucible, Abigail Williams, among others, chooses to protect her name, instead of facing the repercussions of honesty.
When first asked about an affair, Abigail Williams denies it right away. John Proctor accuses Abigail of having an affair with him while they are in court. Proctor …show more content…
When John Proctor is faced with the decision of either falsely confessing to witchcraft and living, or staying honest and dying, he is unsure which choice is the right one. “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 133). Proctor is saying that if he confesses to witchcraft, he will forever be known as a witch. He will never be able to remove that label from his name. He may be living, but he would be living a lie. When Proctor chose death, he chose both honesty, and to protect his name. To some, protecting one’s name may seem selfish, but, sometimes, your name is all you have left.
The Crucible shows how important the decision between honesty and protecting one’s name is. By denying her affair, Abigail Williams protected her name, but was dishonest. When Abigail ran away she, once again, protected her name instead of facing the consequences of her actions. When John Proctor chose death, he chose to be honest and protect his name, instead of having to live a life being falsely labeled as a witch. In some situations, like John Proctor’s, you can be honest, and protect your name at the same time, but, a lot of the time, you will be faced with a decision: honesty, or protecting
When first asked about an affair, Abigail Williams denies it right away. John Proctor accuses Abigail of having an affair with him while they are in court. Proctor …show more content…
When John Proctor is faced with the decision of either falsely confessing to witchcraft and living, or staying honest and dying, he is unsure which choice is the right one. “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 133). Proctor is saying that if he confesses to witchcraft, he will forever be known as a witch. He will never be able to remove that label from his name. He may be living, but he would be living a lie. When Proctor chose death, he chose both honesty, and to protect his name. To some, protecting one’s name may seem selfish, but, sometimes, your name is all you have left.
The Crucible shows how important the decision between honesty and protecting one’s name is. By denying her affair, Abigail Williams protected her name, but was dishonest. When Abigail ran away she, once again, protected her name instead of facing the consequences of her actions. When John Proctor chose death, he chose to be honest and protect his name, instead of having to live a life being falsely labeled as a witch. In some situations, like John Proctor’s, you can be honest, and protect your name at the same time, but, a lot of the time, you will be faced with a decision: honesty, or protecting