The Theme Of Truth Versus Reputation

As human beings, we each display specific traits and qualities that define our character and shape our personalities. The way in which we carry ourselves establishes our reputations, as well as how others identify us. We are each prone to making mistakes, and unfortunately, the mistakes we make can affect the way people see us as well. The struggle to regain a good name can be difficult and uncertain once someone’s reputation is tarnished. In Arthur Miller’s timeless play, The Crucible, a well-respected man named John Proctor betrays his wife and struggles to gain her forgiveness and his good name in the village of Salem. Although John Proctor betrays his wife, he

In Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible preserving one’s reputation is a major theme. The play takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, revolving around witch trials in 1693. In the play there are two men, John Proctor and Giles Corey, whom of which both try to protect their good name and reputation. Throughout the play they portray the idea of protecting their reputations.

In the play, The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, the people of Salem, Massachusetts prove time and time again that they care more about their reputations than the events that are taking place and how these events are affecting the people around them. Having a good reputation can be a good thing but when being concerned about your reputation clouds your judgement, that is when it becomes a dilemma. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller uses having a good reputation, the character of Parris, and how reputation and The Crucible tie into modern life to enlighten the reader that even though having a good reputation is great, it should not cloud one’s ability to see the harm they are doing to others.

First of all, reputation is a huge issue for John Proctor, both internally and externally. From the very beginning, John is extremely concerned about word escaping about his adulterous acts with Abigail. If anyone were to find out, his good reputation as a respectable farmer in Salem would have been cast away by nasty looks. A lack of willingness to give up his good name also stopped John from admitting anything he knew about Abigail to possibly save lives. He cared more about having a clean name than completely halting the trials to begin with. In the end of the play, John Proctor is put to death

Reputation is something that one holds above their head to keep their good name safe. Everyone has their own reputation that they have made up for themselves in their own mind. Not only have they made one up for themselves but others make one for them too. There are several people in the Crucible who value their reputation over the truth. Having a good reputation on one’s name is good in the small town of Salem. It helps to have a good name because it makes people want to help with business. There were three important people in the Crucible who valued their reputation the most, John Proctor, Abigail Williams, and Parris.

As we all know reputation is a really big deal in today’s society. Hardly any kid can be themselves because they are so scared they won't fit in or be popular. Many adults feel the same way. If there neighbor buys a boat, they feel like they should buy one to just fit in. In “The Crucible” it is the same way reputation is very important to them and they don’t want to ruin there reputation even if it is gonna sacrifice them being alive, they want to make sure they keep their good name in the community. In this novel there were a bunch of characters who cared about their reputation. Parris, Abigail, Rebecca Nurse, and John Proctor. The main two who cared about their reputation would be Abigail and John. Many characters in “The Crucible” are concerned about their reputations. Two of the main characters especially concerned with the betrayal of their reputations are Abigail and John.

In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, one of the many themes that stands out to most people is the importance of a having a good name and reputation. Miller uses certain characters outcomes in the play to prove that reputation was actually not the biggest concern. He consistently shows that reputation means nothing when it came to being accused during the Salem Witch Trials because many innocent people were killed. People began to use these accusations for their own benefit and that’s when it became chaotic. These random accusations of witchcraft could immediately cause someone’s admirable reputation to disappear. He provides evidence in the play through most characters that we would consider to have a good reputation such as: Rebecca Nurse, Elizabeth Proctor, and John Proctor.

Everyone in town would read about John Proctor, the confessed witch! Late in Act IV, John tells us why he cannot sign this confession, in Salem’s Jail, to Hathorne, Parris, Hale, and Danforth. ¨Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies!

A respectable reputation is a commonly sought after title that many will go to extreme lengths to achieve. People all over the world value how their peers view them. In the late 1600’s one’s reputation was their everything. In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, characters manipulate the truth and strike fear into others to furiously protect their reputation. Multiple characters use the act of manipulation to save their reputation in a small town.

How far would you go to keep your reputation? Your honor? The right to keep your land and property? How far would you go to destroy a reputation? To take someone’s honor and land?

The first flawed characteristic of humanity seen in “The Crucible” is reputation. Miller portrays this to great effect in his characters. During the witch trials, reputation was a major driving force of the actions of the people in Salem. Many people were hanged because they threatened someone’s reputation. Sheriff Danforth and the court of Salem were prime examples of this.

Throughout The Crucible, John Proctor showed immense courage when he stuck to his beliefs. In Act 3, John Proctor confesses to the court his affair with Abigail Williams because he doesn’t want his wife being accused of witchcraft. He further explains Abigail’s plan to kill his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, and dance with him on her grave. (Miller 873). When Proctor calls Abigail a whore, he gives the court an opportunity to end the trials. Additionally, John faces the ultimate test when he has to sign the document that would keep him alive. Proctor is unable to lie, so he shouts, “ Because it is my name!..Because I lie and sign myself to lies” (Miller 886). His action of ripping up the document further represents Proctor’s integrity and courage. Proctor knows he will never forgive himself if he agrees to confess. He chooses to be hanged over living the remaining of his life on a lie. Proctor refuses to name others and tears up the document. Overall in The Crucible, John Proctor is a firm believer in the fact that one’s name is the only thing that stays after death.

Reputation is extremely important in a town where social standing is tied to one’s ability to follow religious rules. Your good name is the only way you can get other people to do business with you or even get a fair hearing. Of course, reputation meant nothing when a witchcraft accusation was staring you in the face. But reputation is what made the Reverend hale begin to doubt whether the accused individuals were actually guilty. And it was for the sake of his reputation and his friends’ reputations that John Proctor refused to sign a false confession. He would, quite literally, rather die. Although John Proctor goes to his death falsely condemned as a witch, he gains his reputation and respect among those who matter, like his wife, because he refuses to falsely identify his friends and neighbours as witches. The loss of Abigail’s reputation toward the end of the play shows that characters in The Crucible eventually earn the reputations they deserve, despite the personal tragedies that might take place along the way. Having a good reputation is very important in The Crucible. It means you can be accepted by society. If you do not have a good name, you will be completely rejected. John Proctor would no longer be thought of a morally straight and righteous person. Reverend Parris would lose all his respect and not be accepted by society. Judge Danforth would be constantly questioned and lose his job. Keeping and maintaining your good name is an overwhelming theme in The

Joseph Hall, an English bishop and moralist, once said, “A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was.” A reputation is similar to a mirror. Once broken, you can try put it back together like how it was before, but it will not be perfect. Arthur Miller explores this motif in his 1950 allegory, The Crucible, as the townspeople of Salem undergo trials. The townspeople’s image within Salem plays a crucial role, as an individual's social standing was tied to one’s ability to follow the religious rules. Yet when faced a witchcraft accusation, one’s reputation meant nothing. Miller composed The Crucible after the Red Scare to depict the importance of one’s name in society. Miller portrays that regardless of the fact that the importance has passed with time, your reputation strongly influences how others view you.

The novel “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller portrays the Salem witch trials, under which the concept of reputation plays a role. During the novel, accusations are placed on innocent people for the sake of saving their own reputation. The same idea of maintaining a pleasant stature is well known in today’s society. During the period of the book in the late 1600’s, if one were to create an unsatisfactory status in the town or city, they were looked on as a sinner. The effects of that today would earn you fewer friends or it would worsen relationships. There are multiple ways that the story and events in real life connect, while at the same time disconnect. The feeling of respect expresses itself in many ways throughout the play, as well as, real life. There are many different points to which the characters in the book and people in current times represent reputation.