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The Role Of Lying In The Crucible

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When it comes down to it you would probably do anything to protect yourself, even if it meant lying, right? The play The Crucible by Arthur Miller takes place back in the day where the people in Salem, Massachusetts are put to this exact test.When Betty, Reverend Parris’ daughter, along with her cousin Abigail and other girls are caught dancing in the forest people immediately assumed the girls conjured the Devil. Reverend Hale comes into town hoping to help dispose of evil spirits, his process probably wasn’t the best it brought on lies. Tituba, the slave, confessed to working with the devil to protect herself after being whipped she decided to take people down with her. Abigail, selfishly rattled off the names of people she had “seen with the devil” In suit of Tituba. 150 people went to trial for witchcraft and the girls played into whatever Abigail did. Not only were many innocent people executed, but unless they confessed to witchcraft they were convicted. Abigail Williams and Tituba are responsible for the mass hysteria in Salem, Massachusetts. …show more content…
Everyone believes Tituba when she says she worked with the devil. So Abigail, cunningly, avoids any punishment she would’ve received by yelling,”I want to open myself!...I danced for the devil; I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss his hand!”( Miller, 50) Therefore confessing to witchcraft meant she was “cleansed” of her sin. Since the town is under the impression that the devil is at work no one stops to think that there is even a possibility of lying. Their main focus is getting rid of anything supernatural. When Tituba lists off the names of people she “saw with the devil”, people immediately have confidence in her word. Consequently extending the witch hunt to Goody Good, Goody Osburn and many more with the help from Abigail and the other

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