Essay about Human Flaws in Arthur Millers The Crucible

Human Flaws in Arthur Millers The Crucible Many of the characters in Arthur Millers The Crucible have specific human flaws that cause the tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials. The Salem villagers exhibit failings, including greed, vengeance, and fear, which eventually lead to the downfall of their town. Many villagers, especially Abigail Williams, take advantage of the opportunity to seek vengeance on others through the trials. Greed for power and land often holds precedence when the hysteria takes over. Fear of being arrested or put to death is the key motivation in turning others in as witches. From these three human flaws, the town of Salem falls into chaos with many innocent people paying the price. Vengeance plays a key†¦show more content†¦The Salem Witch Trials offer an excellent opportunity for members of the community to act on their desires to get revenge. Greed is another human failing that leads to the false accusations of the trials. Thomas Putnam uses the hysteria to his advantage by prompting his daughter, Ruth, to accuse people of witchcraft in order to take their land. Giles Corey points this out to the judges: ?My proof is there!? Pointing to the paper. ?If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit his property---that?s law! And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbors for their for their land!?. (96) Putnam is completely controlled by his greed and doesn?t care who is hurt or even killed, as long as he gets more land. The girls of Salem are also heavily controlled by their greed. The girls, especially Abby, are given an incredible amount of power during the trials. They are members of the court and anyone they accuse can be put to death: ?And folks are brought before them, and if they scream and howl and fall to the floor?the person?s clapped in the jail for bewitchin? them? (53). Abigail is not greedy for land, she just wants the power that has been bestowed upon her and the other girls. Abigail enjoys being seen as a saint: where she walks the crowd will part like the sea of Israel? (53). Girls in this time were used to being ignored and powerless. The trials forced people to giveShow MoreRelatedThe Crucible Film Analysis1735 Words   |  7 PagesThe 1996 film adaptation of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible tells us far more about what modern society thinks the purita ns are, than what the historic realities were. The film paints a one-sided and reductionist picture of puritan life and relationships, focusing on the themes of religious intolerance and how reputation is connected to the morals of a society. By examining the film on an analytical level, we can pull out larger connections between modern society and the puritan way of life. 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