In this unit, we read The Crucible written by Arthur Miller. People in the society of that time believe deeply in God. The unknown was seen as witchcraft and the devils’ work. That being said, it is a violation of God’s rules and respect and those who are guilty would be hanged publicly. During the play, a character named Abigail Williams and a few other girls were in the forest dancing during midnight, later a sick child was found and they were accused of performing witchcraft in the forest that night. Abigail’s uncle saw them brewing “potions” in the forest as well as one of them completely naked. This is where all the problems begin.

Abigail Williams is seen as one of the most guilty of the characters. However, she cannot be fully blamed for what happened, though, she did play a factor to most problems. The events began with the group of girls being accused of witchery, so Abigail, being one of them, puts up the defence and went on a rampage of creating frauds to get herself and the other girls out of the issue. That leads to dragging others into the situation. She sets things up with a conspiracy in mind. The affair that she has with John Proctor had her accuse his wife, Elizabeth, in order to be with John Proctor once Elizabeth is dead. Then, going through a whole lot of other problems and people being accused. Finally, she fled town and stole money from her uncle putting the problem to an end for herself, leaving it for others.

Abigail did cause a lot of people’s lives, however, this wouldn’t have happened if their society weren’t so close-minded about what people are doing. Their beliefs are all in the Bible, so they are tunnel visioned to what the words tell them to follow. Although, that isn’t an excuse that is good enough for her to jeopardize others.

This is similar to a situation in the movie, The Truman Show. The context and situation are nowhere close between The Truman Show and The Crucible. However, these movies both project the same concept and theme. In The Truman Show, Truman was born into a man-made world, while every move of his is captured by the cameras and broadcasted to the world through TV programs. Ever since he’s born, everything was a fraud and people are close-minded on what he thinks. All his actions are influenced by the fake society, and once he found out he lived in fraud, he tried to escape, only a few understand that it is ethical. Just like in The Crucible, society plays the biggest role in decision making and problem causing.

Truman Finding “The End” of his world

Photo Credit: José Baixinho via Flickr/All Rights Reserved

There are always some that are very strict on what they believe no matter the situation, however, that could backfire as there isn’t a rule that is always correct. If Abigail and the group of girls were to be seen as just playing during the midnight, this whole chaos wouldn’t be born.