Projecting Jealousy in The Crucible Essay Example

Picture yourself in the town of Salem, Massachusent in the year 1692. This setting is where the accusation of being a witch could be life threatening, jealousy enrages the townsfolk and secrets and lies would hover all over town. Everyone has experienced the sense of jealousy at one point in their life and “The Crucible'' by Authur Miller does a good job presenting this sense towards other people's perspective. Not only does “The Crucible'' project the theme of jealousy among the chapters of this book but as well as many other themes such as hysteria, fear and reputation. While reading this book, readers will see how jealousy affects the townsfolk and how their reactions to it come in different forms. From anger to disappointment, readers see how jealousy takes a toll on the characters. 

Jealousy can be triggered at any moment for any reason and can cause people to gain many types of emotions as well as causing people to lash out either physically or verbally. In “The Crucible '', the characters Abigail and John Proctor get into an argument due to Abigail's jealousy towards Proctors wife, Elizabeth. “Abigail: I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I came near! Or did I dream that? She put me out, you cannot pretend it was you. I saw your face when she put me out, you loved me then and you do now! Proctor: Abby, that's a wild thing to say-” “Abigail, with a bitter anger: Oh, i marvel how such a strong man may let such a sickly wife be- Proctor, angered at himself as well: You'll speak nothin’ of Elizabeth! Abigail: 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-”(Miller 21- 22). Abigail is extremely jealous of Elizabeth and shows it by lashing out towards Proctor. She doesn't think that Elizabeth deserves him, meanwhile Proctor becomes furious when he hears what Abigail is starting to call Elizabeth. Just like this quote from “The Crucible”, the book “Adam Zig-Zag” Barbra Barrie portrays images of jealousy like, “Do I have learning problems, too?” asked Caroline. She always had to butt in on everything. As a matter of fact, Mrs Franklin would like to test you. Especially when we told her you were a late reader,” Mom said. “But I read fine now, so why do I have to go?” “Just to be sure you dont need some brushup,” Dad said. “What a drag!” But I could tell she was secretly glad to get some of the same attention. She tried to be upset, but she looked almost happy. Sometimes I hated her. (Barrie 12-13) Throughout the book, the tension of jealousy that both characters Adam and Caroline have toward each other is shown. The quote shows the reader the jealousy that Caroline has towards Adam receiving all the attention as well and Adam's jealousy towards his sister's seeking attention that is not given to her. Bringing all information together, both authors do a good job in providing different ways humans react to jealousy as well as how they react to it. Whether it be lashing out, or expressing emotion, the quotes provided present this theme.

Not only can someone's jealousy overtake them, but it is also visible amongst other people.