How Does Elizabeth Proctor Tell The Truth In The Crucible

Elizabeth Proctor’s ironic white lie demonstrates that a robust reputation is helpful, even necessary, for survival. After John Proctor confesses to adultery and admits that the affair was the reason for Abigail’s dismissal, he tells Judge Danforth to summon Elizabeth and confirm the statement as “she has never lied” (Miller 79). When Elizabeth enters the room, Danforth commands her to look only at him, ensuring that she does not refer to her husband for advice or assistance. Elizabeth denies the lechery saying, “My husband—is a goodly man, sir” (Miller 80). When Elizabeth denies John’s adultery, therefore

Elizabeth is known by her honesty. Later on, when Elizabeth was asked about the affair, she lied thinking it would salvage her husband. The tables turned, and she ended up saving Abigail instead of John. Elizabeth’s personal choice to lie, caused her husband’s

At the beginning of the play, Abigail Williams lies to avoid trouble. She tries to protect her life over the life of others instead of doing the right thing by being honest about what happened in the woods. She lies multiple times in the play accusing others of witchcraft, although it was false. When the courts put Abigail to the test to see if she tells the truth, she fails and drags most of the town down with her. Unlike Abigail, Elizabeth has always been known for her honesty. Her husband John says that Elizabeth never told a lie. Yet when it matters most, Elizabeth lies to try to save her husband’s life. Ultimately, when Danforth and Hawthorne put her up to the test she fails to tell the truth and kills John. John, attempting to save himself, confesses to witchcraft. He lied to the courts and told them that he indeed was practicing the sorcery, when truthfully he was not. John thinks that this is the right thing to do to save his

John says, “Why, I-I would free my wife, sir” (Miller 90). John is now trying to find any proof and evidence to free his wife from the court. John shows how much he truly by not giving up and acting as if nothing else matters. Elizabeth also shows her deep feelings for John and that she would do anything to protect him or benefit his well being. John yells “Elizabeth, tell the truth!” (Miller 113). Elizabeth was willing to lie to the court in order to help her husband John Proctor and keep his name good. The two relationships strengthen from these events that occur in

Elizabeth is also strong and courageous. When John is accused of witchcraft, Elizabeth is willing to follow along with the decision John decides about whether he wants to confess or not. She knows if he confesses he will be living a lie and if he tells the truth, he will be put to death. Although the decision John makes will affect Elizabeth and she wants John alive, she is courageous towards John by showing her support and love. Elizabeth knows she must put her opinions to the side and John must construct this decision on his own. Elizabeth states, “I cannot judge you, John, I cannot” (Miller). Elizabeth is also strong because she was falsely accused by Abigail and

Elizabeth is a true woman that would do anything to protect her husband. She knows that if she talked of his sin, he would be hanged. Since she doesn’t know that her husband has confessed, she saves him and lies to the court.

At this point the play is saying that Elizabeth has forgiven John. Afterwards, throughout the story, we see a different side to Elizabeth. For example, in Act IV Elizabeth is known not to lie. When John Proctor is being accused of witchcraft, Elizabeth is called into the courtroom to testify on John Proctor’s claim. For the first time in her life, Elizabeth lies to protect her husband's “ Good Name.” This action can be understood as Elizabeth learning to forgive and love her husband. Though the Judge’s decision is not in John’s favor, and since Elizabeth has blamed herself for the affair. John has made peace knowing that he will die after the court’s verdict. At the last line of the play, Elizabeth says, “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!” (Miller 1233). In that one line, Elizabeth’s transformation is complete. It`tells us that she has forgiven John and that she absolutely loves

However Abigail takes pride in her hysteria. This highlights the fact that the age difference between these 2 women is phenomenal. “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!” Elizabeth is much more composed than Abigail, even though she is losing her husband she is happy for him, as she believes he is now at peace. Throughout the play John struggles with his feelings that he was not a good man. Hale tried his best to save John from being hanged to death but Elizabeth believes that he is finally going to be cleansed of his sins, as he has finally come out the dark about his affair. She loves him so much that she is willing to let him go. She feels that he is doing the right thing. She takes the name of God to justify herself.

In act 3, John proctor confessed to adultery in front of the court. John Proctor said” My wife would not lie to you.” When Elizabeth Proctor was asked about why she fired Abigail Williams, she told the court that she displeased her and john. When Judge Hathorne asked her about the affair, she said she had no knowledge about it. After the questioning, she was thrown back in jail. But before she leaves, John turns around and tells her that he told them about the affair. Elizabeth sacrificed her principle of not lying. She did this for John so it would not dirty his name.

Throughout the story, John expresses qualities of an honest man by defending his wife Elizabeth when she is

Elizabeth still questions John’s loyalty throughout the play. Elizabeth comes off as an outspoken women and that isn’t really supported in the Puritan society. When convicted of witchcraft she doesn’t fight with the men because she knows she hasn’t done anything wrong. Even though she tries to do what she thinks is the best for John, she ends up saying the wrong thing and Abigail isn’t punished. Elizabeth ends up being pregnant and the trials end before she has her baby so she survives.

Her husband only wants her to find complete forgiveness in her heart and to put the incident behind her. Elizabeth’s pride is illustrated when she would not confess that John Proctor had an affair with Abigail. This is described in the quote, “Elizabeth: ‘Your Honor, I-in that time I were sick. And I- My husband is a good and righteous man’ Danforth: ‘Look at me! To your own knowledge, has John Proctor ever committed the crime of lechery? Answer my question! Is your husband a lecher!’ Elizabeth: ‘No, sir.’ This quote demonstrates that Elizabeth has too much pride to bring shame upon her family. Her pride is unjustifiable because she instead of telling the truth, Elizabeth lies to Danforth, therefore condemning both herself and her husband. John John would rather be put to death than ruin his reputation and integrity in himself, “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!

When Elizabeth Proctor lied to the court about John’s adulterous acts, it was shown that she was weakened by her love for her husband, Mr. Proctor. Until this moment, Elizabeth “have never lied” (Miller 1207). Elizabeth’s love for her husband forced her to lie in an attempt to save his good name, which ultimately led to her destroying her reputation as a woman who had never lied. She threw away the moral code that

The Crucible is a tragedy written by Arthur Miller. We read about the spooky stories of Salem often, yet this book tells more about the heartbreaking accusations that tear loved ones apart. Elizabeth Proctor is innocent, and would not be persecuted in current times.

From the moment she finds out that her husband committed adultery, she is bound to a lie to protect her name, her husbands name, and their children’s names. When John confesses to this sin, Elizabeth is asked about it. Torn between lying and telling the truth, she tries to protect John by saying that he is not an adulterer, which backfires because he had confessed to the sin prior to her questioning. Furthermore, Elizabeth prompts John to lie about his association with the devil so rather than being hanged, he will be released from jail, but his name will appear on the church door under his statement. “Forgive me, John--I never knew such goodness in the world.”