Theme of Integrity In The Crucible Essay Example

📌Category: Plays, The Crucible
📌Words: 562
📌Pages: 3
📌Published: 24 January 2022

Arthur Miller’s tragedy, The Crucible represented the time period of the Salem Witch Trials. It was the year of 1692 when it all began. In the town of Salem, Massachusetts several young women were accused of witchcraft. All of the accusations lead to hysteria in the town. The women had power to accuse whoever they wanted without any questions asked. Arthur Miller wanted to write the play to compare the hysteria the U.S. caused when the government sought to suppress communism and the hysteria within the witch trials. Due to the hysteria within the acts of the book, it allowed integrity to play a significant part throughout Act III and Act IV. 

Miller started developing the theme of integrity within Act III. Miller began to allow some of the characters to open up their minds and realize the horrible things occurring in Salem. This helped the characters  be open and honest throughout this Act. For example, when Hale announced he was quitting the court; He remarks, “from the beginning [Proctor] has stuck me true. By my oath to heaven, I believe him now.” (pg.105) This shows integrity because after Hale heard all the evidence, he knew that what the court was doing was wrong. Hale knew that the people accused were innocent and he stood up for them which shows integrity. This was not easy for Hale to do. Another way Miller showed integrity throughout the Act is when Proctor pleaded “ A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything, I know it now. [...] God help me I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat.” (pg.102) . Miller is showing Proctor’s integrity through his regrets by confessing to Danforth even though he was well aware it could hurt his name, and he could potentially lose his life. Proctor confessing took integrity for him to do because in the beginning he did not want to confess and hurt his name. 

Miller continues the theme of integrity throughout Act IV. One example of the author showing integrity throughout Act IV was when Elizabeth was sincerely asking for forgiveness from Proctor. She said, “It were a cold house I kept.” (pg. 127). Elizabeth was blaming herself for her husband’s sins hoping that it would help John forgive himself. She was being a good wife to John throughout the hardships and it shows throughout the Act. Another example of integrity shown throughout the Act was when Proctor was about to confess to the court to avoid his potential death.During this time Proctor proclaimed, “ Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another life! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” (pg. 133). In this quote, Proctor was exclaiming that he would die for the reputation of his name. It took integrity to be honest in a moment when the decision was life or death. Proctor stood high and kept his morals and continued to do what he thought was right from himself and other prisoners even though he would have to die for it.

In denouement, The Crucible had the theme of integrity throughout a tragic time period in Salem Massachusetts. Getting accused of something you were not a part of, and getting killed for it, is a horrible thing. It changed the whole entire town of Salem. Readers can infer that some situations the characters were in were not easy. This caused the characters in the drama to show integrity by making hard decisions that could change lives.

+
x
Remember! This is just a sample.

You can order a custom paper by our expert writers

Order now
By clicking “Receive Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails.