The Crucible Reputation Essay

In The Crucible, there are consistent themes of the importance of reputation in society during the Salem Witch Trials. Within the town of Salem women specifically were expected to keep and maintain a good image by their actions, words, etc. Due to the witch trials, women were robbed of their good-woman title, and their honor. Within the play, Miller continues to allude to the idea of morals, religion, standards, expectations, all while tying them into one’s reputation.
Reputation was a key part of society during the time period of the witch trials. Women weren’t seen equal to men, and they had to be held accountable to high standards. In a conversation between Proctor and Parris, Proctor says, “...so many of these women have lived so long

with such upright reputation.” (Miller, 84). Proctor recognizes the reputation, not by rebuking its importance, but by reminding Parris of what is at stake by ruining an upright reputation of a woman in the town of Salem. Proctor doesn’t want the trials to take away the reputation the women in the town have built up over the years. When these women are being prosecuted and charged for witch craft it causes “disruption is social harmony” (Valente). Within the play women are beyond frustrated, and scared, when being charged “Mary Warren, utterly confounded, and becoming overwhelmed by Abigail’s-and the girls’-utter conviction, starts to whimper, hands half raised, powerless” (Miller, 108). When a woman loses her reputation of being a woman of God and of good morals, she loses her power thus becoming powerless and weak. The witch trials are alluding to “essentially female weakness” (Valente). Within the sexist society, the reputation of women is more significant than a man’s. The connection between power/strength and a good reputation is shown through the trials. The loss of power and beginning of weakness starts whenever a woman is being mischarged for witch craft.
The idea of being a good woman is brought up multiple times throughout the trials, with many female characters claiming, “I am a good woman!” and trying to defend their reputation.

In Act Two, Elizabeth Proctor says, “I am a good woman, I know it” (Miller, 66). She is defending her status of being a good woman. This idea continues throughout the play, with multiple characters defending their good reputations. However the witch trials are not the only thing that rob the women of their reputations. Elizabeth’s words and actions throughout the play prove, “that she is no good woman” (Schissel). Elizabeth is hostile in the way she speaks, letting her anger consume her. She let her anger destroy apart of her reputation as a “good woman” and someone who was known for that reputation. The idea of being good was so significant that the character’s names even reflected the idea of being a good woman. Women in the town such as Goody Proctor, Goody Hawkins, and Goody Booth are all referred to as good women through their name. But that idea of being, “Goody Hawkins,” is destroyed when Abigail claims, “I saw Goody Hawkins with the Devil!” (Miller, 46). This title may not be stripped when the claims are made, but the idea of them being these good women with good reputations is stripped from them when they are accused of being with the Devil and committing witch craft. Women like Elizabeth Proctor were raised in a society that valued women’s reputations, “Elizabeth…raised within a Puritan

society and a living example of its valued ‘good woman,’” (Schissel). There was such a high value for good women, especially in the town of Salem. Status was linked with prestige and wisdom. Without the rep of being a good woman (or man), there was little power held in society.
The idea of reputation, while predominantly focused on women, was applicable for all characters to an extent.

The main reason John Proctor does not want to admit to his adultery is due to his reputation as a Christian man. Religion is a very prominent idea in Salem, and the idea of being a woman or man of God is of essence. Miller creates the idea of man and his image for a reason. He recognizes the essentialness of having an outstanding character in the time period, and the meaningfulness of religion. This theme of, “the relationship between a man’s identity and the image that society demands of him,” is consistent in all of Miller’s plays (Weales). John Proctor is hesitant through the course of the play to confess to his romantic and lustful relationship with the young Abigail Williams, fearing it may damage his image. When he finally admits he calls out to God, “God help me, I lusted!” (Miller, 102). Proctor seems to be the only person in Salem who sees through the girls, and he seems to almost be portrayed the only sane one. The town tries to mold him into this specific model of a man, but it goes against what he thinks and knows to be true, “Salem tries to force John Proctor to accept a particular image of himself, but he chooses to die.” (Weales). The image idea goes hand in hand with reputation, and it goes to show that reputation wasn’t just important for women. Proctor not only revokes the image Salem wants for him, but wishes to show them wrong even after death.

Proctor speaks to his wife with harsh but moving words before he dies, “Give them no tear, tears pleasure them! Show honor now, show a stony heart and sink them with it!” (Miller, 133). Before Proctor dies, he offers these words and commands to his wife, Elizabeth. The idea of reputation surely doesn’t die with Proctor, but his words were probable to plant a seed of resentment for the idea in his wife and possibly others.
The Crucible is a tragic play. Characters are falsely accused and punished due to ludicrous young girls. Due to the charges, women (and men) have their reputations destroyed. The importance of reputations is an overwhelming theme that Miller continuously develops over the four acts. Women are held to high standards, and men must be Godly. Salem attempts to mold the citizens into a specific image that would be pleasing to God. Reputation ultimately destroys the town of Salem, allowing room for utter disaster and resentment.