Resentment In The Crucible

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n the play, The Crucible, playwright Arthur Miller conveys the motif of resentment in the Puritan community of Salem. The motif of resentment is fueled by the Puritan’s strict ideas of morality, the organization of society and the ¨dark side¨ of human behavior.
The Puritan’s strict ideas of morality led to complete hatred and resentment if one was accused of wrongdoing. Going to church on Sundays, resting or plowing on the Sabbath, and following the 10 Commandments were three rules followed in the Puritan community by the people of Salem in the times of the witch trials. When Proctor is accused of not going to church, he assumed that because he continued praying at home while his wife was supposedly sick, he could miss church despite the strict
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In Salem, children are meant to be seen and not heard. In the United States today, children are the future. They are nurtured and raised to speak their mind and make a difference in the world. The Puritan believe that children are meant to behave under the strict code that adults follow including going to church, behaving like everyone else and serving their community. Acts of disobedience, excitement, and anger are severely frowned upon. Children in Salem are disregarded and considered outcasts. Hatred and resentment towards the children is seen throughout the first half of the play. Until the witch trials, adults did not listen to the opinions of the children. The Salem Witch Trial was a turning point for the resentment of the children. After the trials, people began to respect the kids’ opinions no matter how ridiculous they may have seemed. The things they said now matter and the stories they told in court gave them a strong sense of power in the Puritan community.
The ¨dark side¨ of human behavior is to me, the strongest example of resentment in The Crucible. Abagail is envious of Elizabeth and her relationship with John Proctor. She wants nothing more than to be with him for the rest of her life. The only way to accomplish this is to find a way to get rid of Elizabeth. With Elizabeth gone, Abagail can openly be with John and they could even live together. Abagail accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft

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