Examples Of Fear In The Crucible

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Fear: The Core of Our Actions
Oftentimes, people act impulsively simply because they are afraid of what inaction may lead to. Fear is used as a tool in the Crucible. It shows how one can take advantage over another’s fear in orders to gain authority. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the characters of Abigail and Proctor help clarify that fear is an important factor in decision making. Abigail is afraid since the beginning of the play of being accused of witchery. Because of this state of worry, Abigail begins to blame others. She also pleads her innocence while being questioned by saying, “I never sold myself! I’m a good girl! I’m a proper girl” (Miller 45). The first person Abigail blames is Tituba. When Hale asks Abigail about Tituba making her drink chicken blood, Abigail replies with, “She tried, but I refused” (Miller 45). She blames Tituba because she is an easy target. Tituba lacks of power. Abigail clearly does not want to be accused of witchcraft because it would hurt her uncle’s name. Therefore, she pins the suspicions on others who are afraid of her and have less authority. In this way, it is easy for the church to believe that she is not guilty of performing witchcraft. Through the course of the play, John Proctor is afraid of many things. He is afraid to be involved with the court, admit to adultery, and for his wife to be killed. Yet, his fear was so powerful for his wife to be hanged that he eventually gets involved with the court, and admits to adultery. Proctor eventually feels that saving only his wife is not enough. He feels that staying in court and fighting for the other wives will help gain more self respect and finally give him a reason to be content with his well being. Proctor is given a choice to sign a confession to the church but refuses to sign because he fears what his name would become.

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