Why Is Reputation Important In The Crucible

Reputation; what significance does this one word have that a Spanish proverb states, “He who has lost his reputation is a dead man among the living”? According to the townspeople in theocratic Salem, an individual was to become prestigious and sacrifice everything for a good name. There was no such thing as private moralities, instead, a person’s reputation was a public matter showcased for the town to judge and discern. Nothing is more unimaginable than having to lose an influential position. Throughout the play “The Crucible”, individuals base their actions on safeguarding or earning a standing. Miller uses the characterization of Reverend Parris and John Proctor to demonstrate that when one exclusively focuses on the preservation of their reputation, one is more likely t o use outrageous actions and deception to hide one’s faults.

Coming into this season, the San Diego Chargers were looking to improve off of a disappointing 2015 season, where they finished a dismal 4-12. Despite only winning four games last season, the Chargers’ offense was up and down under then-offensive coordinator Frank Reich. Under Reich, the Chargers’ passing offense was ranked fourth in the NFL, averaging 286.9 passing yards, while the rushing offense was ranked 31st in the league, only averaging 84.9 yards per game. The reason why the rushing yards were so low was because at the time rookie running back Melvin Gordon was struggling and also dealing with an injury. Finally, the scoring offense was ranked 26th in the league, only putting up 20 points per game.

Reputation is a social phenomenon for individuals in every society. Every one of us cares how we are viewed at some point, and everyone else provides that view. Reputation has transformed largely over the centuries, and we can see a large theme of it in Puritan-based literature such as Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. In the Puritan lifestyle, reputation was among the utmost importance to citizens. Keeping a good name through correct moral conduct was a very critical social aspect for Puritans. In The Crucible there is a strong theme of the importance of reputation which directly applies to John Proctor, Abigail, and Reverend Parris.

However, with Abigail’s dishonest, outspoken ways, she definitely does not fit in like Elizabeth. When Abigail and other girls get caught for dancing in the woods while Tituba was conjuring, Abigail will do anything to get herself out of trouble. The crime for witchcraft has extreme repercussions, so Abigail is willing to do anything, even completely go against the commandments and accuse others, to get out of the situation. When Abigail confronts the rest of the girls involved in the affairs, she says “ All of you. We danced. And Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam’s dead sisters. And that is all” (Act One). She lies, making a less severe version of the story, and tells the girls so they will all go along with her act. Abigail realizes that even though lying is against puritan ways, she must do it to stay out of trouble. On the other hand, Elizabeth would never result to such actions. Elizabeth has always been known to do what is right, and even her husband, John Proctor, confirms this when he talks to Judge Danforth before Danforth confronts

“The Crucible,” written in 1953, criticizes the events of the Salem witch trials in 1962. Mainly throughout the story characters betray each other by putting blame on each other. The characters also say that they believe that some of them have been in contact with the Devil, and eventually they take it all to court. In the play, Arthur Miller uses characters with contrasting traits, or foils, to make a point about integrity and reputation. Through Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Proctor, Miller is saying that integrity is more important than reputation because integrity shows that you have self pride and that care about yourself more than you care about what others think of you.

In the crucible everyone cares about their reputation but some care more than others. Parris, Abigail, and Danforth care the most about their reputation. Parris care the most in Act 1, when Betty didn’t wake up from the night before. Abigail shows she care about her reputation in Act 1,when she is being asked if she’s seen the devil she says yes and start naming people so she doesn’t get accused of witchcraft. Danforth in Act 4, Hears that people are starting to turn against him because they are starting to notice that the people they are killing due to witchcraft has never showed any sign off doing witchcraft. All three of them caring so much about their reputation is so significant to the play because they are all the cause if the witch

In the Crucible there are three characters that I believe are the ones that are mostly invested and concerned on trying to preserve their reputations. Reverend Parris, Judge Danforth, and Abigail are the people that I analyzed and assume that they are the ones mostly concerned about their reputation. All of these three characters that I looked into seem to have a different but similar situation well their attitude is the most similar. These three characters only seem to be concerned about their reputation and not the consequences their actions have on others. They are blinded by their ignorance and can’t see what is more important than a good name.

In Arthur Miller’s dramatic play The Crucible, the notable writer successfully argues that the people in Salem rely too much on their reputation by creating a connection to the audience in order to convey the message. He does this in hopes of informing the world that in times of hysteria, reputation means nothing. To prove the argument, Miller uses ethos by developing his credibility when he explains his very own knowledge of the historical situation. Also, the appeals of logos and pathos are evident when illustrating the value of reputation within the play through the characters’ tones.

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.

Martin Luther was an important figure in the Protestant Reformation. He was one of the first people to stand against the wrongdoings in the Catholic church and stand by his own beliefs. The lower class believed Luther to be the “protector of the peasants” because he helped expose the idea that Christ didn’t just help the royalty and rich people of a community. Luther spread his newfound ideas around the continent and people who followed him began to call themselves Lutherans. Luther’s movement had grown so strong that it would be very difficult to take it down, especially since Pope Leo didn’t act at the very beginning.

“It takes twenty years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently” (Warren Buffett). Arthur Miller was a well known American playwright, essayist and a very important figure in the American theater. Arthur wrote some very important plays throughout his life and The Crucible was one of them. The Crucible is a very well written play about the Salem Witch Trials and how the people chose their own reputation rather than telling the truth and having a consequence for it. Having a good reputation in a small town like Salem is very crucial. This is evident throughout the acts in The Crucible, by Arthur Miller. John Proctor,

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.

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

“Reputation is only a candle of wavering and uncertain flame, and easily blown out, but it is the light which the world looks for to find its merit” (Lowell). The theme of reputation emerges over many events in The Crucible. It sustains many characters to misinterpret the true light in the world but reveal their anguish about how their loss of reputation will impact the effect in their lives. In the play, The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, a little town in the late 17th century, a group of Puritan girls are accused of witchcraft, including their leader, Abigail Williams. Out of revenge and resentment, Abigail deceives the town about the group being bewitched. As a result, all the characters have to face a crucible or trial of their own.

“His interest in insanity and premature burials shows the morbid quality of his mind” (Wilt). Written by the infamous Victorian-era poet Edgar Allan Poe, “The Cask of Amontillado” is a classic example of the distinct, gothic trademark for which Poe is known. It tells the story of a man named Montresor who enacts revenge on his “friend” Fortunato by tricking him with a promise of a prized wine called Amontillado and burying him alive, a method used very often by Poe in his works ("Buried Alive!" 11). The foreshadowing, irony, and imagery in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” are used to illuminate the vengeful side of human nature.