Essay Sample on Silence in The Crucible

The ability to be passive is in a sense like a fire. “Give a man fire and he’s warm for the night, light him on fire and he’s warm for the rest of his life”. Passiveness put in a court or authoritarian situation is especially dangerous because it is the silence of condemnation. Especially in such a setting as the Crucible. The passive and teetering borderline cowardness, complete cowardness for particular characters, is what comes as the soundless reaper over Salem. With people like Abigail, who walk beside it with it’s scythe in hand ready to give. One of the largest issues in contexts like these, in court and in Salem, is that people who know the truth refuse to speak or stand up against tyranny and corruption. In the instance of the story The Crucible; the people who refuse to do anything to stop the atrocities, are just as evil as those who are committing them.

Already within the mere beginning of the play characters are already taking confirmation bias. As soon as the word ‘witch’ or anything similar is in the air people are willing to spin and pull it to their own perspectives. By the middle of Act 1, characters are blowing this completely out of the water in hysteria and purposefully misunderstood interpretations. “Why it’s sure she did. Mr Collins saw her goin’ over Ingersoll’s barn, and come down as light as a bird, he says!” (Mrs Putanm, pg 1105). After this piece of dialogue all attempts of telling the truth are thrown into the waters. None of the side characters really cared if Betty was really possessed, or for her well being in general. All the town wanted (or could care for) was the promise of bloodshed and vengeance. It is only, however, put into full swing when Mr. Hale is brought into the situation. “You most certainly do, and you will free her from it now! When did you compact with the devil?” (Mr. Hale, pg 119). With his influence of status and high religion Hale absolutely manipulates the situation to what he wants to hear, and instead of persuading him any differently Abigail feeds the fire in her accusations and faked terrors. 

Into Act 2 there are only three characters of common sense, with everyone else spinning lies like cotton candy- rotting the teeth of others through sheer say. John tries to help Hale see the madness that has been bred throughout Salem, him and his wife being the only ones to speak otherwise of witches. “I do wonder on it, when such a steady-minded minister as you will suspicion such a woman that never lied” (John Proctor, pg 1120). With this revelation Hale begins to see the holes in cracks in the ‘accusations’ and ‘facts’ of witchcraft. If the town of Salem, spurred on by excitement, could lie and accuse any for witchcraft, what truth was there? “If she is innocent! Why do you never wonder if Parris be innocent, Or abigail? Is the accuser always holy now? (John Proctor, pg 1133).  How is it that such a close-knit community became so conspiring against the common man? Friendships of decades smothered to death by hearsay of suggestion. Women known throughout their years as gentle and positive souls left defenceless. No one says anything and because of this drives the bodies to the graves. 

By Act 3 the most dangerous character is placed on the chess board- Danforth. Before his arrival the people have been in silent observation. The wifes of many accused by Abigail and Betty being criticized for so called witchcraft by their fellow peers. But not much is put into action until danforth and his ‘council’ creates their rigged court of injustice. Rebecca herself was one of the accused, and with the except of Ms. Putnam none could fathom such an endearing and well favored woman to be that of the devil. If Hale was manipulation, Danforth was straight exploitation, corrupted from beginning to end. “No uncorrupted man may fear this court...you are under arrest in contempt against this court...take counsel with yourself.” (Danforth, pg 1143). Danforth moves outside those of the accused to everyone and anyone he saw fit. Even the creation of the court stood in silent condemnation, no one would say anything unless it was an obviously favored opinion of the masses if only to save themselves. The only to break this conduct is Mary Warren, who immediately goes to accuse John in efforts of saving herself, slipping into silence once Danforth grasps the strings of her story. “The very crowns of holy law I brought, and what I touched with my bright confidence it died; and when I turned my eye of my great faith, blood flowed up…claim no faith when faith brings blood. It is mistake law that brings you to sacrifice” (Mr. Hale, 1154). By the end, Abigail, Mary, Betty, and the other girls had saved themselves from death by sending twice the number of bodies in their stead. 

Both Betty and Abigail failed to speak up in the very first act of The Crucible. And for every person turned on the responsibility for truth was never held accountable. It is the townspeople’s fault for John's death in the same weight as Goody putnams for Rebecca. It was her envy that brought an innocent women to cruel torturing. Putnam himself would use his neighbors bodies as wills to their land, using the silence of the crowd as evidence of soiled hearts. The Crucible is a tragedy of the people, for even a small party of defenders could have saved what turned a sea of murder and demise.