Tyler Huch

Shannon Freestone

English 12

27 September 2016

The Power of Reputation within the Crucible

Reputation plays a big part in the way that society functions. Everyone has a reputation

even if they may not want one. Reputation can be defined as the beliefs and opinions that one or

more people have on another person. The status of ones reputation, be it good or bad, can

impact the actions taken upon that person. The people who may worry about their own reputation

the most are those whose reputation may have the biggest impact on their lives or those who

want to be revered as an honorary member of society. Such examples of the need for good

reputation appear in the Crucible, written by Arthur Miller. Reputation causes people to alter

their actions, to tell lies or alter the truth, and hide possible malicious intent one may have or the

measures they have taken to protect their faade.

The reason as to why reputation may cause someone to alter their actions is because it

changes the way other people may view them, which may cause action to be taken upon that

person. This alteration of actions may occur because the person changing is trying to avoid

prosecution for who they truly are or prosecution for the real intents of that person. Reverend

Parris displays perfectly the avoidance of prosecution when he is speaking with Abigail about

what was done in the forest and says, Abigail, do you understand that I have many enemies?
 There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit. Do you understand that? (Miller

10). This is a great example because Reverend Parris displays his fear of being removed from his

chair as Reverend, so he is taking any measure he can to ensure that he stays where he is.

Another example of reputation altering the actions of a person is when Thomas Putnam and

Reverend Parris are having a conversation about how witchcraft has been discovered in Parris

house. Parris says, In my house? In my house, Thomas? They will topple me with this! They

will make of it a (Miller 10). What Parris means by this is that his reputation will be

destroyed if witchcraft is found in his home, in turn causing him to lose his job as Reverend.

Reputation may cause one to lie about the happenings or actions that may have occurred

to protect their self and their appearance. An example of this is when John Proctor is talking to

Abigail about their previous love affair against Proctors wife Elizabeth. Proctor says, Abby, I

may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before Ill ever reach for

you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby (Miller 23). Proctor is trying to save

his own dignity by saying that the love affair between them never happened. A second

illustration of lying or denial of a series of events occurs when Mary Warren and John Proctor

are talking about testifying in court against Abigail. I cannot charge murder on Abigail Shell

kill me for saying that! Abbyll charge lechery on you, Mr. Proctor! ... I cannot, theyll turn on

me (Miller 80). Abigail is saying that she is going to lie about the happenings between her

and Elizabeth as to maintain her social status.

In order to maintain ones faade it may be required to lie about the intent of that

persons actions. Abigail displays deceit about her actions when she is speaking with Marry

Warren and John Proctor about what happened in the forest. Abigail says, I say shut it, Marry

Warren! ... Nobody will be finding us out! This quote displays that Abigail has alternate
intentions and that she doesnt want anybody finding out about what she, Marry, and the other

girls did in the forest. If she werent to lie theyd be sure to get caught.

In conclusion, a big part of societys inner workings includes using reputation to

convince other people and themselves into believing something about them. Reputation causes

people living within society to alter the truth, lie, and to hide malicious intent. People do this to

maintain their status and keep their faade intact. All of these things are displayed in The

Crucible. Reputation really does have power.