Theme Of Witchery In The Crucible

In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, many people are accused wrongly of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials. Whether it may be fear, anxiety, or even greed, these characters lie and accuse others of witchcraft. The characters: Tituba, Abigail, and Goody Putnam display each of those motives when accusing others of witchery. Characters are motivated differently to falsely accuse their neighbors of witchcraft Tituba accuses a few women of witchery because of the fear from being executed. Her fear of death causes her to falsely claim she compacted with the Devil and wants to be good now. The reverends are threatening Tituba with an execution because Abigail accuses her of witchcraft. Tituba says, “(Frightened by the coming process). Mister Reverend, I do believe somebody else be witchin’ these children” (188). She is not practicing sorcery on the children and tries to put the blame away from her. She truthfully explains that she doesn’t know of this, but the reverends still threaten with death. When she is frightened, she quickly explains that it isn’t her and someone accused her. Although a slave, she
She uses her untainted reputation to bring her away from trouble by casting the blame on other innocent women. Abby’s uncle is speaking to her about what he saw last night with their “party”, and Abigail tries to get out of it by lying and trying to make their party was not as evil as what Puritans think. Abigail says, “(in terror). No one was naked! You mistake yourself, uncle!” (170). Abigail desperately tries to deny any situation that there were some weird stuff happening the prior night. She lies quickly to her uncle about many things such as a misplaced dress and dancing and casting a charm on Elizabeth Proctor. Although her uncle believes most of it, she would accuse Tituba of all the mess. This shows how Abigail tries to save herself by accusing others of witchery, caused by her