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Theme Of Reputation In The Crucible

Decent Essays

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. Throughout the story, there are many occurrences when one does whatever is necessary to benefit themselves, at the same time neglecting the actions that others will receive. Characters such as Abigail exhibit the major effect Reputation has. When Abigail is confronted by Parris about seeing Tituba chanting over the cauldron. She completely denies all statements except that they had danced, making herself look as innocent as possible. When her uncle Parris mentions that he heard Tituba “chanting like a beast over the fire,” she responds with “She always sings her Barbados songs, and we dance” (Miller Arthur, 2004).

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