Crucible Post 2

At one point, proctor tells Hale that he believes in witches, even though he does not.  Would you be willing to lie and tell people you believe in something you do not in order to protect yourself? Why or why not?


            If I was John Proctor in that situation, I would have lied to Hale. Religion was the basis of life in Salem, and to tell someone you didn't believe in witches would be akin to saying you didn't believe in God. In Act 2, when Reverend Hale comes to inquire about the piety of Elizabeth and John he brings up the subject of witches. John tries to avoid the confrontation, saying things like "…the bible speaks of witches, and I will not deny them" (Miller, 69).  Hale then questions Elizabeth.  Elizabeth replies, “If you think I’m one, then I say there are none.”  Hale, appalled, cries “You surely do not fly against the Gospel, the Gospel-” John, in her defense, declares “She believe in the Gospel, every word!” (Miller, 70). This conversation reveals exactly how seriously people took religious belief and devotion.  It was a sin not to believe in witches.   In this situation, John was trying to convince Arthur of their piety, and he lied for him and Elizabeth because he knew the consequences would be severe if they told the truth.

             Elizabeth did the brave, morally correct thing by standing up for what she believed in. John told a lie, the more submissive, yet sensible thing to do.  He simply wanted to protect Elizabeth and his self from the persecution that would come about if the word got out they didn't believe in witches. Though I wish I could be courageous and strong like Elizabeth, I cannot truthfully say I would act the way she did.  If it were a critical fate determining situation, like the one Proctor was in, I would most likely falter and lie to save myself.