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Essay / Crucible Characters and Social Conflicts by Arthur Miller
The Crucible by Arthur Miller presents the fact that every action has a consequence. The playwright uses his characters and the choices they make to demonstrate what is happening in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. The corrupt interests of the Putnams, Abigail and the court opposing the common good lead to social conflicts in the city. Ordinary townspeople, like the Putnams, take advantage of the situation and turn on their neighbors, causing tears in morale. composition of the city. The revenge tactics undertaken by townspeople to condemn their neighbors allow them to prevent their personal feuds from causing fear that accusations will spread. While Hale questions Elizabeth and Proctor about their religious leanings, Francis appears to announce that his wife, Rebecca Nurse, is accused of "murder" and specifies that it is the "wonderful and supernatural murder of Goody Putnam's babies" (75 ). The only woman who would dare accuse Rebecca of child murder would be Mrs. Putnam who gave birth to eight children and all but one died. Her jealousy of Rebecca and her many children and grandchildren leads Mrs. Putnam to declare the holy woman a witch. She proclaims to Rebekah: “You think it’s God’s work that you never lose a child, or even a grandchild, and I bury them all except one” (29)? Mrs. Putnam denounces the injustice of seeing another woman living happily with many children when she can only have one and has lost several. She testifies that this cannot be the work of God, that it can only be the work of the Devil. Likewise, many townspeople sought out their neighbors' land. By taking advantage of the trials and bringing charges, they could obtain the said land at the cost of the neighbor's life. Allegations against ...... middle of paper ......r religious power; Parris the minister participates in the activities of the court. This is called a theocracy and to maintain this theocracy the court will not stop the trials because if they do the people of Salem will doubt everything the court has decided. Theocracy would look bad if its decisions were questioned. The court's view of Salem was strictly black and white, either with God or against Him, and many deaths were based on this view. The consequences of their actions towards Salem resulted in the loss of innocent lives. People are born into a world of choices. Everyone has different choices to choose from, but it is important to understand that a choice, whether good or bad, will have a consequence that cannot be undone. This choice will not only affect oneself, but also others. It is also wise not to make choices when you are irritated by a certain situation..