Revenge Essay

Revenge Essay

In both stories The Crucible and The Scarlet Letter, revenge plays a major role. Each story is based around the want for revenge, and the risks and prices each character is willing to pay for it. In the crucible we have Abigail Williams and the Putnam's, who are looking to get their revenge on the Proctors and the Nurses; while Roger Chillingworth in the Scarlet Letter, looks to get his revenge on Hester.

In the beginning, we see how the story unfolds in Crucible. We learn of the girls' witchcraft in the forest, which leads them to court and being accused of doing the devils work. Abigail learns of a way to beat the system and admits to being under the devil's evil power. She then admits to being under the influence of Elizabeth Proctors witchcraft. This is Abigail's form of revenge on Elizabeth for not allowing John Proctor and herself to be together. John, however, is disgusted by Abigail's doings, and threatens her to stop, or she will regret it. Abigail continues with her lies, with the help of the other towns girls and continues to accuse others for her behaviors. However, Abigail's plan for revenge backfires, when John is accused as being the "Devil's Man" by Mary and Elizabeth is said to be pregnant. Elizabeth can no longer be hanged until she gives birth. John is eventually hanged and Abigail disappears.

During the story, we learn of Thomas and Anne Putnam's part in the play. Thomas is a wealthy, greedy land owner in Salem, who is only out for himself and to get more land. His revenge is on the nurse family, who blocked the appointment of his brother-in-law to the position of minister. He knows that if they were to be found guilty of witchcraft, they would in turn be hanged and their land would be available for purchase. His wife, Anne, blames Rebecca nurse for her seven stillborn children and states that there must be some