In The Crucible, Arthur Miller writes about individuals accusing others for their own welfare within a puritan community. Such accusations caused a period of mass hysteria, resulting in the death of many innocent people. Miller’s play is set in Boston, Massachusetts during the Salem witch trials. In The Crucible, neighbors were accusing neighbors without hard evidence, but with social motives. Salem townspeople are motivated to falsely accuse their neighbors of witchcraft due to lust, fear, and greed.
In Act One, Abigail Williams and John Proctor encounter each other in Betty’s room. While talking, Abigail’s flirts begin to taunt John, forcing him to directly face his sin. John wants nothing to do with her, and while angrily accepting his sin, John defends his wife, Elizabeth. John Proctor then attempts to leave, but Abigail quickly jumps in his path and directly states how she really feels for him. “John—I am waitin’ for you every night” says …show more content…
Just as Martha Corey is being prosecuted and questioned by Danforth, Giles Corey, her husband, bursts into the room and objects Danforth’s questions. Giles claims he has proof that his wife is innocent and Putnam is to blame. “If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property…And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbors for their land” says Giles (214). Giles describes how Putnam would be the only person to profit if Jacobs dies. By Giles Corey saying “This man is killing his neighbors for their land,” he clearly is stating and explaining why Putnam would accuse others of witchcraft. It is a clear sign of greed when Putnam, who is already a rich man, feels the need to kill his own neighbor, just to accumulate more wealth. Thomas Putnam is motivated by his avarice for wealth when accusing his neighbors of
In Act One, Abigail Williams and John Proctor encounter each other in Betty’s room. While talking, Abigail’s flirts begin to taunt John, forcing him to directly face his sin. John wants nothing to do with her, and while angrily accepting his sin, John defends his wife, Elizabeth. John Proctor then attempts to leave, but Abigail quickly jumps in his path and directly states how she really feels for him. “John—I am waitin’ for you every night” says …show more content…
Just as Martha Corey is being prosecuted and questioned by Danforth, Giles Corey, her husband, bursts into the room and objects Danforth’s questions. Giles claims he has proof that his wife is innocent and Putnam is to blame. “If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property…And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbors for their land” says Giles (214). Giles describes how Putnam would be the only person to profit if Jacobs dies. By Giles Corey saying “This man is killing his neighbors for their land,” he clearly is stating and explaining why Putnam would accuse others of witchcraft. It is a clear sign of greed when Putnam, who is already a rich man, feels the need to kill his own neighbor, just to accumulate more wealth. Thomas Putnam is motivated by his avarice for wealth when accusing his neighbors of