White Lies In The Crucible

Words: 707
Pages: 3

White Lies Take Lives
The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play based closely on the hysteria experienced in Salem during the Salem Witch Trials. Many emotions are felt as people blacken the names of friends and family in the community simply for self gain; furthermore, negative emotions and desire can cause people to accuse others of crimes of which they are not guilty. Ruth and Abigail prove this point through a common theme in this play that is still relevant today: not all accusers are innocent.
Ruth, unfortunately, is a tool used by her father to gain land. Mr. Putnam, Ruth’s father, has the final say over Ruth’s actions. If Ruth were to disobey her father she would surely be put out on the street. With this fear Ruth is forced to place false accusations on Jacobs for witchcraft. A well thought out plan brought to light by Gile in Act III on page 638 “If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit his land… This man is killing his neighbors for their land!” (Miller). Ruth’s father had found a way to utilize the hysteria in Salem through his daugher to gain what he wants. Today there are people put in similar situation; for example, a teenager being forced to tell someone they don’t want to be friends anymore. They do this to keep from an embarrassing secret be released to their classmates.
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Women in Salem did not have a say in very much; moreover, children had an even less say. When the children were named saviors for lying to save themselves, they felt a surge of power. Never before had they been able to point a finger and be listened to when doing so. This sudden rush of power most likely overwhelmed the girls and they became overzealous in their sudden dominance over the Salem community. As John Proctor warned in Act II Page 621 “now these little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom” (Miller). The girls can accuse who they wish with no