The Crucible Lies And Deceit Analysis

Foundations built on lies and deceit will never stand the test of time, In the play the Crucible by Arthur Miller, the conflict between the proctors and the theme of lies and deceit go hand in hand because it illustrates how their relationships were built on a foundation of dishonesty and falsehood causing them to break as time goes by.

One of the ways that Miller showcases his theme is by including the relationship of John Proctor and Abigail Adams. Although they had the affair before the play began, the results of dishonest foundation led to a sequence of lies and deceitful acts throughout the play. Though John has told his wife the truth about the relationships between him and Abigail, he continues to lie about the encounters he had with

her such as “Abigail (grasping his hand before he can release her). John—I am waitin’ for you every night. Proctor. Abby, I never give you hope to wait for me.”(miller 149) causing this to be one of the many ways John deceived his wife Elizabeth Proctor. Miller had strengthened the universal theme of lies and deceit will lead to more lies and deceit with the implementation of John and Abigails affair, not only does he focus on that but he also spotlights the concept of lies will have consequences.
The consequence of Lies and deceit were will illustrated in the play when Elizabeth says “No Sir”(Miller 194) to Danforth question of whether John Proctor has ever committed the crime of lechery? The result of her lie after John proctors confession of his affair causes Danforth to claim that John has lied which eventually causes John to be punished or to be put to death. The universal theme of lies have consequences sooner or later was strengthened with the insertion of this scene.
The theme of Lies and deceit stretch further out in the play to Elizabeth and Abigail. In the scene in which Abigail, John, Elizabeth, Danforth and some other people where presented, Danforth asks Elizabeth few question about the why she fired Abigail and her untruthful response of “And so one night i lost my wits, I think, and put her out on the high road”(Miller 194) causes Elizabeth to lose her prestige by giving her self out like that, although her true intentions was to get her away from John Proctor. This adds up to the universal theme of lies and deceit will cause a fragile relationship to break as time goes by.
Arthur Miller claim of Lies and deceit will cause a weak foundation to break as time goes by was well illustrated through the conflict between the proctors and Abigail, through out the entire play. So, create a relationship foundation on a platform that is firm and steady and not built upon on lies and deceit because they will be the downfall of your relationship.