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Examples Of Integrity In The Crucible

Decent Essays

Integrity: or the Lack Thereof When many consider the word integrity, much comes to mind: actions, people, or even other words. While and after reading The Crucible by Arthur Miller, this word is brought into question very often. In both the play and in reality, there are examples of both integrity and the lack thereof. Integrity is self-knowledge and wholeness while the loss of integrity is often due to one’s lust for power and attention. By this definition, integrity can be seen through John Proctor and his final decision to die rather than confess. At first, John was going to falsely confess to witchcraft so he could be free and following Danforth’s question, “Did you see the Devil?” John responds, “I did.” (139). However, after he hears …show more content…

Although she features self-knowledge similar to John, a more potent subtype of integrity she possesses is wholeness. Taken from Dictionary of Word Origins the etymology of integrity is, “Entire and integrity have the same source - Latin integer. This meant ‘whole, complete,’” (DWO). This wholeness and completeness can be seen in Elizabeth. Elizabeth was not in this wholly state from the beginning however, when the audience sees she and John have dinner, they can see the tension and mistrust that still remains between the couple. John even calls his wife out for her lack of forgiveness, “Spare me! You forget nothin’ and forgive nothin’. Learn charity woman.” (54). Here it can be seen that Elizabeth is not yet whole but ultimately, she will become a staple for integrity. After John is taken to be hanged, Elizabeth has now realized the good in him and has forgiven him. She finalizes her character with the last line to the play, “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him.” (145). This line was the last piece her character needed to become “whole” and it left the audience to remember her for her …show more content…

Abigail Williams is an example of an individual who sacrifices her integrity for attention. Growing up as a female in a strict Puritan society is not the most attention-filled lives for a teenage girl and when an opportunity for attention and power is presented to Abigail, she is eager to take it. Abigail raises her power so high that it seems anyone she accuses of witchcraft will be tried for the crime, no questions asked. The loss of integrity comes in when Abigail begins to abuse her power due to personal interest. She wants John all to herself and the only person stopping her is Elizabeth. Her main lie is that of the needle and poppet, “I have been near murdered every day because I done my duty pointing out the Devil’s people,” (108). Her integrity is lost when she falsely accuses the innocent woman and her persistent lying solidifies her loss of

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