Causes Of Dishonesty In The Crucible

Honesty is being fair and truthful to others. Honesty creates strong relationships in everyday life while dishonesty does the exact opposite and destroys relationships. In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, dishonesty is linked to the main cause and also it affects the evidence of the Salem witch trials of 1692.
In the beginning, a group of girls get caught dancing in the woods. One of the girls from the group, Betty, begins acting peculiar. Rumors begin to be spread throughout Salem that it is witchcraft that is causing Betty to act peculiar. Once this gets to Reverend Parris, who is Abigail’s uncle, he begins to question Abigail on what exactly happened in the woods. As Abigail finishes explaining what happened in the woods, she fails to

mention that in the woods that they were conjuring spirits when Abigail says “Uncle we did dance, let you tell them I confessed it and I’ll be whipped if I must be. But they’re speaking of witchcraft.” (1130). Abigail is not telling the whole truth and is also being dishonest when she fails to mention that they were conjuring spirits in the woods. If Abigail were to mention they were conjuring spirits, then the group of girls will be found guilty of witchcraft and many people in Salem would not be falsely accused of witchcraft. Also, the witch trials would no longer be needed if Abigail would have mentioned the fact that they were conjuring spirits in the woods.
During the witch trials, it is brought up by John Proctor that Abigail is a lying whore as he confirms to being in an affair with Abigail. Deputy Governor Judge Danforth brings in Elizabeth to confirm the affair that occurred between John Proctor and Abigail. Danforth asks “Is your husband a lecher!” to which Elizabeth responds “No, sir.” (1208). Elizabeth is trying to protect her husband from being charged with lechery when she lies to the court and denies the affair. If Elizabeth were to confirm the affair that occurred between John and Abigail then the court would charge with not only witchcraft but also lying to the court and adultery.
Afterward of Elizabeth’s questioning Mary Warren is the next one to be questioned. As Mary Warrens questioning continues Abigail begins to scream that Mary Warren’s is attacking her, in the form of a bird, as Abigail says, “But God made my face, you cannot want to tear my face. Envy is a deadly sin Mary… Oh please, Mary. Don’t come down.” (1209). Mary Warren beings to panic as she’s been asked if she’s working with the devil. Then, she changes from the defense side of the court to the plaintiffs. When Mary Warren goes from telling the truth to lying to support Abigail’s story she is providing evidence to the court that she has been working with the devil. Now John is left in front of the court not only condemned to hang but also looking like the fool of the town. If Mary Warren would have remained on the defense side of the court and wouldn’t have cracked under the pressure then the group of girls will be charged with witchcraft and John would be innocent and free from being hanged.