Essay on: The Crucible - Betrayal
In The Crucible, the community in Salem is depicted as motivated by fear, greed, and revenge shown by the witch trials. Some people of the community are afraid for their lives of being condemned a witch, while others take advantage of those fears. As a results, people will do anything to satisfy these motivation including betrayal. In The Crucible three types of betrayals are evident which are betrayal of oneself, theocracy, and community.
In Salem, the puritan society is supposed to be a community where everyone in this community is tightly knit and demonstrate purity. However, this sense of unity is broken with betrayal, so therefore, the community in Salem does not actually exist.
Betrayal of community is the most evident them of betrayal in Salem because of the idea of a broken community. Everyone in Salem is accusing another of witchcraft for fear of being condemned. Therefore, this action is an effort to save one’s own life and avoid suspicion. The Putnams are an example of the betrayal of the community. Ms. Putnam accuses Betty for having been seen flying over a neighbor’s barn. This is shown on page 13, “How high did she fly, how high?” “Mr. Collins saw her goin’ over Ingersoll’s barn, and come down light as bird”. Before, the Putnam’s brother in law was up for the candidacy for reverend but Parris received the job. As a result, the Putnams retained a grudge against Parris and therefore on his daughter. Therefore, because of this grudge, Ms Putnam accused Betty of certain witch like activities even though she herself never saw the action. This demonstrates the betrayal of a member of the society because the Putnams try to condemn Betty from a grudge. Another example is of Danforth because he transforms this society from religious to a courthouse. This is shown on page 85, “Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court shall believe and what it shall set aside?” and on page 100 “I have been thirty-two year at the bar, sir, and I should be confounded were I called upon to defend these people.” These examples show that Danforth betrays the religious purpose of the community and converts the community to a courthouse where he can exercise his power. Since he is the governor of this town, he has more authority in the court because of the community were religious then the community would be lead by the reverends. However, as the leader of the town, he betrays the people’s trust because since he is a leader, the people should look up to him instead of fearing him. Danforth is always trying to accuse others of witchcraft in order to maintain his new power.
Betrayal of oneself is another theme of betrayal. However, this is displayed in every instance when one accuses another of being witch because that person is betraying oneself by causing the misery of another. In addition lying to another damages one’s integrity and morality, so this would be a betrayal of oneself. An example occurs when Abigail accuses Elizabeth and other of witchcraft. This is shown on page 61 “There be a thousand names; why does she call mine? … She dare not call out such a farmer’s wife but there be monstrous profit in it. She thinks to take my place, John.” Also on page 63 by Hale “I have some further traveling yet tonight.” This demonstrates that many are afraid of Abigail and she is now viewed as the evil one who will send one to hang. The second quote reinforces that many are accused for Reverend Hale has to travel to many houses that night to consult other accused. Therefore, since many are afraid, Abigail lacks integrity and morality because people no longer respect yet fear her. Another example is Hale’s own betrayal of himself. This is shown on page 99 “I have signed seventy-two death warrants; I am a minister of the lord” Reverend Hale is a minister which means he is a messenger of god. However, he signs the warrants for people’s deaths even though he knows it is wrong. For example he signs Rebecca Nurse’s warrant even though she is the most respected individual in Salem. This demonstrates how Hale has lost the respect for himself as a minister because he allows people to die for unjust reasons.
The third betrayal is the betrayal of religion. The society is driven by fear and greed but in order to fulfill this people allow others to die for their own safety, although disregarding verity. An example occurs when Parris tries to condemn people. This is shown on page 107 “Then see no spirits now, and prove to us that you can faint by your own will, as you claim.” Parris is a reverend who is supposed to provide comfort with religion but he is the most proactive in the court when convicting someone. He leads the court in trying to send one to death instead of trying to comfort one with salvation and not to be afraid of death. Instead, the quote shows he forces people into fear and defense. Puritanism involves a pure society, but he corrupts the whole religion with his constant involvement in the witch trials.
