Introduction
Reputation is the manner that other people see you, and it is slightly different from integrity-which is the way individuals perceive themselves. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is often regarded as a political allegory of the McCarthy period, highlighting several instances of irony, and the importance of reputation through a scan over the characters within the play (Mattia 1). Reputation is extremely significant in rigid societies like Salem, where reputation is aligned to an individual’s ability to follow religious rules. The author argues that those people who are most concerned with reputation, like “Parris," in the play can be dangerous to the community. It is because they can safeguard themselves, and are willing to let others get harmed, and hence fuel panic in the process. Ironically, the "Crucible" demonstrates that those who incline to Integrity, by confessing mistakes, and becoming genuine to save their lives will help to reduce hysteria in the process. The essay seeks to analyze the significance of reputation in Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" as showcased by the characters.
Reputation is the predominant motif advanced by Arthur Miller in “The Crucible.” The primary apprehension that the citizens of Salem have is losing their reputation, since rumors spread swiftly in such a town. The first instance of reputation is seen through Reverend Parris is mostly concerned about gaining the status. The moment Betty was sick and Abigail was accused of dancing in the forest with the devil, he fears that individuals might associate Betty’s illness and Abigail’s behavior to witchcraft.
Through the above illustration, it is clear that Reverend Parris was the first to permit his reputation to get in the way of integrity. In act one, he states that "Abigail, I have battled for three long years to bend these crooked people to me, and now, just now where some good respect is growing for me in the parish you compromise my character” (Puryear III 1). It clearly shows that he is more fixated on what others perceive of him than the psychological well-being of his daughter. Reverend Parris is also more concerned about his monetary status (Puryear III 1). He contends with Giles Corey and John Proctor about the firewood and money. Reverend Parris is more concerned about what he earns in a year, and attempts to keep as much as he can for a profit.
The second illustration of reputation in the book is seen through John Proctor, who is focused on not permitting others to discover his romantic relationship with Abigail. Proctor is also the only character in the play who is compelled to put his concession in writing (Puryear III 2). The judges and reverends believe perceiving Proctor’s name signed to a public confession will encourage the rest of the community to trust the apparent reality of hysteria (Puryear III 2). He cannot permit himself to append the signature since it makes him a coward in the face of his loved ones who succumbed to protecting their innocence.
The third illustration of reputation Arthur Miller's book is seen through judge Danforth. As a judge, Danforth was immensely focused on protecting his reputation. The moment Proctor and Mary bring forth proof that Abigail and other girls are lying, the judge does not believe it. He recognizes that if he trusts it, then he must acknowledge that innocent people have been falsely indicted and charged with witchcraft under his nose (Mattia 22). This definite move would tarnish his status, and the perception that other citizens in the society hold for judges and the verdict they deliver would significantly plummet. Judge Danforth also apprehended all who opposed the court, in the quest of safeguarding the indecency and injustice that is being leveled in the Puritan society (Mattia 23).
The court system makes several mistakes, but the most profound one sees when Danforth willingly sees Mary Warren as possessed, and ignores the possibility of mob attitude stimulated by social panic (Mattia 21). Due to this mistake, Judge Danforth is obstinate against accepting any petitions that attempts to deviate from the court’s purported virtuous purpose. In a nutshell, while trying to remove witchcraft, the judge fails to realize the panic conclusions presented to him in the courtroom. By convicting all 72 victims without a brink, most notably John Proctor, who was seen to have a clean slate, he hopes to reinforce his status as an esteemed judge in Salem (Mattia 31).
Conclusion
The loss of character and the quest for reputation has been a widespread motif in modern American literature. The Crucible is extensively seen as an intense psychological drama, and play in equal measures. The play can provide an analysis of characters like Proctor who seek for reputation and identity (Hooti 74). Proctor succumbs not so much out of fault, but out of his social responsibility. The play generally displays the profound influence of social and mental factors of the "self" of an individual, and how it unravels in situation of social crisis. For example, judge Danforth convicts all 72 victims, and curtails anyone who challenge to expose the unfair arrests that happen in Salem, as it would tarnish the reputation of him as a refutable judge in the society. Reputation is used in both a bad and good way in the book. Judge Danforth, and Reverend Parris use in the wrong way, to exemplify their status in their greedy way. Whereas, Proctor uses his reputation to try and discover his identity.
