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Examples Of Pride In The Crucible

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Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is based on actual events led to the Salem Witch Trials. These trials were a group of hearings to prosecute those accused of witchcraft. Pride influenced the characters throughout the play. Pride is a sense of one's dignity. Excessive pride is the driving force behind arrogance. Throughout the play pride influences the actions of three main characters. The three characters that have excessive pride are, Hale, Elizabeth Proctor and John Proctor. Hale’s pride shows through his ability to detect “witchcraft”. He wants the people convicted of witchcraft to confess. He feels he is responsible because he begins to kill innocent people instead of tracking down the source of witchcraft. He thinks of himself …show more content…

Her husband only wants her to find complete forgiveness in her heart and to put the incident behind her. Elizabeth’s pride is illustrated when she would not confess that John Proctor had an affair with Abigail. This is described in the quote, “Elizabeth: ‘Your Honor, I-in that time I were sick. And I- My husband is a good and righteous man’ Danforth: ‘Look at me! To your own knowledge, has John Proctor ever committed the crime of lechery? Answer my question! Is your husband a lecher!’ Elizabeth: ‘No, sir.’ This quote demonstrates that Elizabeth has too much pride to bring shame upon her family. Her pride is unjustifiable because she instead of telling the truth, Elizabeth lies to Danforth, therefore condemning both herself and her husband. John John would rather be put to death than ruin his reputation and integrity in himself, “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!

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