The Good vs. the Evil In the Crucible
In the novel The Crucible by Arthur Miller In the world, there are two opposite and powerful forces: good and evil. Some people are just all good and others are all evil. The world continues to function because a balance exists between these two powers unless individuals give in to a strong emotional feeling caused and make a seemingly small error in judgment. In The Crucible the main characters, John Proctor and Abigail, and the main characters, Connie and Arnold Friend, in “Where are you Going, Where Have You Been” develop relationships that cause the balance of good to tip towards evil because characters seek the safety and strong emotion of love in their lives. When Evil is stronger than good it creates an off-balance of the power.
Elizbeth and Abigail both hate each other because John Proctor cheated on Elizbeth with Abigail. Abigail says “She hates me, uncle, she must, for I would not be her slave. It’s a bitter woman, a lying, cold, sniveling woman, and I will not work for such a woman!”(Miller). The feeling of love impacts the decision-making process as a result of John giving into sin to cheat on Elizbeth with Abagail. When John cheated on Abagail John gives into evil letting ‘You’re a hard girl to handle. How come?’ he said. ‘Don’t you know I’m your friend? Didn’t you see me put my sign in the air when you walked by?’ (Oates). Arnold Friend gives Connie a chance to come outside or just talk to him from behind the door. Arnold can’t enter the house unless the Connie touches the phone.
The power that Abigail Williams had on the town, was fatal to the woman of Salem. Abigail played a very important role in the crucible. Her selfishness to defend her self form the consequences of her actions ruin other lives. For example, “I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart. I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men! And now you bid me tear the light out of my eyes? I will not, I cannot! You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet!” (Miller) with her affair with John Procter, which was still unknown to the rest of the town until the end of the play. When Jonh tells the townspeople it is too late and they are already have killed them. Abagail had the power to control John and keep him quiet about there affair until John lost Elizbeth.
John Proctor does everything in his power to try to keep his reputation and protect it. Especially in the last act, John was about to confess to the townspeople and later did, suddenly, Danforth told him he was going to have to write his confession on a piece of paper and put it on the door of the church but John would not stand for this. When Danforth asks him why John replies with a sudden outburst, he says ‘Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! I lie and sign my life to lies! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name.” (Miller) John knows how he has messed up over love. From him committing adultery with Abagail he has lost everything important to him. John was imprisoned lost his wife and was killed over a greedy decision to sleep with Abagail. Just like Arnold John doesn’t really tell the whole truth. Arnold says ‘Honey? Listen, here’s how it is. I always tell the truth and I promise you this: I ain’t coming in that house after you.’ (Oates) Arnold only says he won’t come in but doesn’t say what will happen to her after if she touches the phone or if to much time goes by. Just by learning a bit about Arnold he will get what he wants its just a matter of time.
