The Crucible Lies Analysis

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You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies (NIV John 8.44). Set in the 16th century based off the historical accounts of the Salem Witch Trials, The Crucible follows the village of Salem and the characters inhabiting the village, influenced by historical figures, as witch hysteria (started by young girls as a way to avoid getting in trouble) breaks out. Arthur Miller’s The Crucible revolves around the lies and deceitfulness the characters tell and exhibit with in an ironic twist that involves saving some, but also hurting …show more content…

Nurse, if Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then nothing’s left to stop the whole green world from burning... (Miller 67) The girl’s lies have multiplied and strengthened. To accuse prominent members of the village they must base their lies on actual information, but twist it to their will. Although rooted in truthfulness their ultimate goal is to accuse those with whom they have faults with, no matter how prevalent in the society they are. Although these lies have to do with accusations of society as a whole, lies can cause individual people harm as well. Especially if there are lies between two people that are supposed to be protecting one another. Elizabeth and John’s relationship is heavily impacted by lies. Due to the lies John tells to save himself, and the lies Elizabeth tells to save John, their relationship is one-sided, contributing to aspects of their marital problems. Because of the John’s affair with Abigail, his marriage is already unbalanced. Elizabeth is trying her best to get over it but is having trouble-forgiving John. Proctor: …I think it is not easy to prove she’s a fraud, and the town gone so silly. She told it to me in a room alone-I have no proof for …show more content…

These consequences are exhibited in the real life event known as the Red Scare, which affected thousands of people. “The trouble with lying and deceiving is that their efficiency depends entirely upon a clear notion of the truth that the liar and deceiver wishes to hide.” This quote by Hannah Arendt explains a motive as to why the lies in The Crucible were so effective. Everyone was trying to hide something and in doing so, they brought down the village as a

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