The Salem Witch Trials

The Salem Witch Trials

In every conflict there always seems to be at least one person to blame. In the play, The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, many people were convicted of witchcraft. In 1692, witchery was a very stomach dropping subject. Many innocent people in this play were hung during the Salem Witch Trials. Of course, there are many people that may be blamed. In The Crucible, one may find Reverend Parris ,Abigail Williams, and Dansforth to blame. He also left out the fact that his own niece and daughter had been caught dancing and creating spells in the forest.

Reverend Parris was quick to blame those who didn't like him, and to try to win favor in the town by being a suck up to the judges. Even when evidence for the accused was brought in. “This is a clear attack upon the court!”( ) Parris often sided against the townspeople, asking damning questions and giving the judges backstories on people brought into the courts. He becomes even more pathetic during the killings. He wants to save John Proctor from being hung, but only because he worries the town may turn against him and kill him. Even after Abigail steals his money and runs away, he never admits his faults.

During the trials, a group of young girls were known as the afflicted. Upon supposively being tormented by a witch's spirit, the girls would scream and cry. Abigail Williams, Reverend Parris’ niece, didn't only lie about witchcraft, but she forced the others to join in."Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you. And you know I can do it..."( )Abigail and the others knew they would get in trouble (which is why both Betty and Ruth pretend to be in a coma, to escape punishment after her father saw them in the forest). The physicians called in to examine the girls