Crucible Essay

Submitted By carolinafever321
Words: 2635
Pages: 11

Lies in the Crucible
For many years, people have questioned whether telling a “white” lie is appropriate and harmless in certain situations. At first glance, it may seem like telling a miniscule, innocent lie is tolerable when trying to get out of a depraved situation. People have failed to notice, however, that even the slightest lie can have immense consequences. Unless we change our interpretation of lying, we will continue to have trouble understanding how the paramount decision is never lying and that honesty is always the superlative decision. In the play The Crucible, the author Arthur Miller demonstrates that while lying may appear insignificant as an individual error, it is really a profound act of selfishness. This is proven through the play because lying once causes numerous additional lies to be told, hurts the people involved and hurts the liar themselves.

Lying hurts other people,
"Ninety-one, Your Excellency." (Miller 93)
"I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridged Bishop with the Devil!" (Miller 48) lying once causes more lies,
"We never touched, Abby" (23)
"I am sick, I am sick, Mr. Proctor" (55) lying hurts the individual themselves
"Abigail turned up later as a prostitute in Boston." (Miller 146).
"My husband-is a goodly man, sir." (Miller 113).

For many years, people have questioned whether telling a “white” lie is appropriate and harmless in certain situations. At first glance, it may seem like telling a miniscule, innocent lie is tolerable when trying to get out of a depraved situation. People have failed to notice, however, that even the slightest lie can have immense consequences. Unless we change our interpretation of lying, we will continue to have trouble understanding how the paramount decision is never lying and that honesty is always the superlative decision. In the play The Crucible, the author Arthur Miller demonstrates that while lying may appear insignificant as an individual error, it is really a profound act of selfishness. This is proven through the play because lying once causes numerous additional lies to be told, hurts the people involved and hurts the liar themselves.

Lying hurts other people,
"Ninety-one, Your Excellency." (Miller 93)
"I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridged Bishop with the Devil!" (Miller 48) lying once causes more lies,
"We never touched, Abby" (23)
"I am sick, I am sick, Mr. Proctor" (55) lying hurts the individual themselves
"Abigail turned up later as a prostitute in Boston." (Miller 146).
"My husband-is a goodly man, sir." (Miller 113).
For many years, people have questioned whether telling a “white” lie is appropriate and harmless in certain situations. At first glance, it may seem like telling a miniscule, innocent lie is tolerable when trying to get out of a depraved situation. People have failed to notice, however, that even the slightest lie can have immense consequences. Unless we change our interpretation of lying, we will continue to have trouble understanding how the paramount decision is never lying and that honesty is always the superlative decision. In the play The Crucible, the author Arthur Miller demonstrates that while lying may appear insignificant as an individual error, it is really a profound act of selfishness. This is proven through the play because lying once causes numerous additional lies to be told, hurts the people involved and hurts the liar themselves.

Lying hurts other people,
"Ninety-one, Your Excellency." (Miller 93)
"I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridged Bishop with the Devil!" (Miller 48) lying once causes more lies,
"We never touched, Abby" (23)
"I am sick, I am sick, Mr. Proctor" (55) lying hurts the individual themselves
"Abigail turned up later as a prostitute in Boston." (Miller 146).
"My husband-is a goodly man, sir." (Miller 113).
Lies in the Crucible
For many years, people have