Thomas 1

Tonisha Thomas

Ms. Netherton

College Writing

The Crucible

John is a wealthy, hardworking and married man. Throughout The Crucible, his tone and

emotions change significantly. John changes in the story when he is caught cheating on Elizabeth

with Abigail, when he was working during Sabbath and when he is hanged because he doesnt

confess. In the 1600s salem was run by a theocracy government. Religion was the cause of the

society they had and ruled the fate of the salem citizens.

When John was caught cheating his perspective of life changed. He was hoping that no

one would find out because he feared that his reputation would be ruined. He wanted to let

Abigail know that he didnt want to have relations with her anymore. This made him confront

her about it. Later, in the story, he started to realize that the things he did was wrong, he decided

to get his name cleared by doing what he believed in. He didnt commit witchcraft so he

sacrificed his name so that his name could be cleared. John wanted to make things right. Ill

plead my honesty no more, Elizabeth. No more! But I wilted, and, like a christian, I confessed

(Miller 55). John hoped for Elizabeth to forgive him.

Citizens were already suspicious about John when he was seen working on Sabbath.

Sabbath is every sunday when no one is allowed to do any any work because it's gods

day. While he was practically sinning, people started to automatically say it was the

devils work. Everyone was shocked about that. This shows that his behavior and

thoughts significantly changed throughout the story because he knew that he was started
 Thomas 2

to sinn a lot which changed him. Cheever: He plough on sunday,sir. Danforth: Plow on

sunday!

Proctor: I have once or twice plowed on sunday. I have three children,sir, and until last year my

landlord gave little. Hearing this in court was the turning point in the sorry. It was the turning

point because they started to think differently about John.

Another way that his relationship quickly deteriorate is when he is hanged for not

confessing to doing something that he knows he didnt do. He didnt think it was ethical to lie

about being a witch when he really wasnt. He confessed but he wanted his name cleared. When

the judge refused to clear his name, John decided to sell his soul. According to the book,

Proctor: I have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it will be public? God does not

need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name; god knows how black my sins are! It

is enough! (142)

A lot of unethical things has happened due to the salem witch trials. Lots of people died

and was unable to freely live their lives due to so much long term hysteria. Since their

government was based off of theocracy in the 1600s, religion controlled the fate of many

people's lives. People had to be religious and they had to act pure. The salem witch trials

pointed out lots of flaws while being intertwined with religion.