Minh Nguyen The Crucible Writing Assignment
October 3rd 2010 Block 3
Barry Longs once said “We can rarely see things from the point of view of another person because we look at the facts through the screen of an impression or an interest which distorts our view; and then there are accusations, quarrels and misunderstanding.” Longs explains that rather than looking at someone’s perspective we look at the person actions, which results in misinterpretations about the individual. The Crucible, by Arthur Miller and “The Hangman” by Maurice Ogden are works of literature that exemplifies the false perception of one person to another. The Crucible and “The Hangman” are both very different works of literature; however they revolve around false perception, and the drastic outcomes that arise.
Initially, The Crucible takes place during the 1700s during the Salem witch trials where hundreds of people are executed not on evidence, but purely on accusations. Tituba a black slaved owned by Reverend Parris a minster of Salem is accused of witch craft, by Parris’s niece Abigail Williams. There is no evidence to prove that Tituba indeed is a witch, but Abigail has an advantage during trials by having visions of Tituba being associated with the devil. Although, Tituba tries to defend herself, Abigail fools the judge and jury by having a crowd of girls and herself repeat every word Tituba states. Abigail does this to create the perception that Tituba and the devil are controlling the girls and her. Tituba now has to lie and admit being a witch, or be executed with her innocence. Next, John Proctor a local farmer that lives just outside of Salem is another victim accused of witchcraft. Proctor is accused of witchcraft, because during court Mary Warren a acquaintance of Abigail Williams testifies that Proctor used his spirit to force her into going to court and testify against the group of girls accusing others of witchcraft. Proctor as a result...