The Crucible the Importance of a Good Name - 819 Words

In the play The Crucible there are many themes floating around. One of the most notable themes is the importance of a good name. To several of the characters the only matter of importance seems to be their name and what it seems to be associated with. Amongst this dialog we find that because the hysterical environment of Salem causes persecution of calumny became a common fear of a good, respectable name to be tarnished. Early in the play we are introduced with our first couple of victims due to the infamous fear. Our first encounter is with Abigail when Reverend Parris questions her about as to why Elizabeth Proctor had fired her Abigail responds â€Å"My name is good in the village! I will not have it said my name is soiled! Goody Proctor†¦show more content†¦Parris is now continuously accusing his least faithful parishioners with having a contract with the devil. One of which is John Proctor, the man Abigail is having an affair with. John Proctor is known as a rebel in this story. Though a good Christian he rarely makes it into Parris’ Sunday Masses because he is working in the field and he doesn’t want to hear of Parris’ weekly ranting of the devil and hell. It is because of this reputation his wife is among the accused of witchcraft. When he tries to defend her he reluctantly admits to lechery. John Proctor was very reluctant to admit this because he wanted his name to stay respected. When judge Danforth doesn’t believe him they ask his wife Elizabeth if this is true. Unknowing that he had confessed and trying to respect his wishes of keeping a good name she says that she doesn’t believe that he had ever had an affair with Abigail Parris. When Abigail turns on Marry Warren, Marry Warren turns on John Proctor calling him the Devil’s Man. This causes his arrest and accusation of Witchcraft. Proctor’s importance of a good name is most portrayed in the last act, Act V, when he is begged to save himself by signing a confession sheet. He finally refuses to sign it saying that â€Å"Because it is my Name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to Lies!Show MoreRelatedThe Crucible By Arthur Miller958 Words   |  4 Pagesfavorable repute; good name. One could conclude that one is given a reputation based on certain actions or characteristics. Also valid for argument is the importance of having a good or bad reputation. Having a good reputation can be for the sake of having others view you as a good person and someone that they can rely on. On the other hand, a person with a bad reputation would be treated with little respect and not taken very seriously. All of these factors based on what society chooses to name you as, aRead MoreSimilarities And Differences Between The Crucible And The Scarlet Letter1111 Words   |  5 Pagespower over the people. The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Crucibl e by Arthur Miller depict those same societal issues. 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Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, and The Importance of Being Earnest were among some of these plays from this semester. However, one of my personal favorites is The Crucible. I was able to uncover many themes from this play such as secret sin, lies and deceit, and religion. The Crucible stood out to me from the rest of the plays. I was able to relate to it on a greater scale than the others, and the story behind the Crucible interested me very much. Also I notice a theme of secret