Arthur Miller illustrates how fear of losing one’s reputation can trigger poor judgement and dishonest actions, at the same time, losing sight of reality can change the truth and cause paranoia in anyones world. When that happens hysteria is inevitable.
In the Puritan society Reverend Parris holds a high stature. As a minister he holds power and being one with the Lord also carries its own baggage along with it. Parris says to Abigail, “...I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character” (I. 11) Parris is afraid that Abigail in one night will ruin what he has been working towards for three years. Since Abigail …show more content…
She is afraid of being killed, her life is at stake and can’t afford to bring down her uncle with her. Abigail can’t afford for anyone to bring her down as she savagely says to the girls, “Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of somek terrible night and I will bring a point reckoning that will shudder you...I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down!” (I. 20). Mary Warren wants to confess, but Abigail will not allow it. The girls follow Abigail out of fear although no one is really afraid as Abigail herself. Not only will she face death, but she will also damage her uncle, Parris’s powerful reputation which he has working at for three years. Having the Devil conspire with a family member of a minister of the Lord is unheard of and Parris will not have it. Abigail also fears losing Proctor, though they’re not married the only thing in Abigail’s mind keeping them apart is Elizabeth. Abigail believes that Elizabeth is ruined her reputation and angrily says to Proctor, “She is blackening my name in the village! She is telling lies about me! She is a cold, sniveling woman, and you bend to her! Let her turn you like a-” (24). Abigail doesn’t understand why Proctor would choose Elizabeth over her and is under the impression if she accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft then she will face death and that will leave an open door for Abigail to be with Proctor. Elizabeth knows it too and tells Proctor that, “There be a thousand names; why does she call mine?...She’d dare not call out such a farmer’s wife but there be monstrous profit in it. She thinks to take my place, John” (61). Elizabeth knows that there would only be one person to accuse her and that is Abigail, she was let go from her household, had an affair with her husband, and wants her dead. Although Abigail is in love with Proctor, her accusation of Elizabeth will allow her security from being charged
In the Puritan society Reverend Parris holds a high stature. As a minister he holds power and being one with the Lord also carries its own baggage along with it. Parris says to Abigail, “...I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character” (I. 11) Parris is afraid that Abigail in one night will ruin what he has been working towards for three years. Since Abigail …show more content…
She is afraid of being killed, her life is at stake and can’t afford to bring down her uncle with her. Abigail can’t afford for anyone to bring her down as she savagely says to the girls, “Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of somek terrible night and I will bring a point reckoning that will shudder you...I can make you wish you had never seen the sun go down!” (I. 20). Mary Warren wants to confess, but Abigail will not allow it. The girls follow Abigail out of fear although no one is really afraid as Abigail herself. Not only will she face death, but she will also damage her uncle, Parris’s powerful reputation which he has working at for three years. Having the Devil conspire with a family member of a minister of the Lord is unheard of and Parris will not have it. Abigail also fears losing Proctor, though they’re not married the only thing in Abigail’s mind keeping them apart is Elizabeth. Abigail believes that Elizabeth is ruined her reputation and angrily says to Proctor, “She is blackening my name in the village! She is telling lies about me! She is a cold, sniveling woman, and you bend to her! Let her turn you like a-” (24). Abigail doesn’t understand why Proctor would choose Elizabeth over her and is under the impression if she accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft then she will face death and that will leave an open door for Abigail to be with Proctor. Elizabeth knows it too and tells Proctor that, “There be a thousand names; why does she call mine?...She’d dare not call out such a farmer’s wife but there be monstrous profit in it. She thinks to take my place, John” (61). Elizabeth knows that there would only be one person to accuse her and that is Abigail, she was let go from her household, had an affair with her husband, and wants her dead. Although Abigail is in love with Proctor, her accusation of Elizabeth will allow her security from being charged