The Crucible

A few too many cooks in the kitchen can spoil the food. This is true for a few people killing a town. In Arthur Miller’s, The Crucible, three people cause the deaths of so many people. Abigail Williams, Judge Danforth, and Mary Warren, are responsible for the Salem tragedy.

Abigail Williams begins this tragedy because she wants John Proctor. She has an affair with John, and makes her want him. This is why she makes up stories to falsely accuse Martha Corey, Giles Corey, Mary Warren, and Elizabeth Proctor, to have him for herself. Also, she drinks a potion to kill Elizabeth. After the potion does not work, Abigail accuses Elizabeth Proctor of being a witch, and she gets taken to jail. While Elizabeth is in jail Abigail tries to get John to want her, and she accuses any human being who gets in her way. Mary Warren is one of three people who get in her way. Mary tries to confess to Danforth that the girls are lying and making all the accusations up. That is when Abigail accuses Mary of being a witch. Abigail wants John so badly that she turns against her own friend.

Danforth sides the girls’ hanging innocent people is another reason why Danforth is also responsible for the Salem tragedy. The girls lie about the accusations and Danforth believes them. He hangs Martha Corey, Giles Corey, Mary Warren, and Elizabeth Proctor. While Abigail controls the fate of the citizens of Salem, Danforth stands aside watching her become God. John Proctor tries to get Danforth to stop believing the girls, and realize they are lying, but every time he tries Abigail comes in and denies all the accusations made against her. Finally, Danforth realizes that Abigail is lying when she steals 32 pounds from Parris and runs away. By that time Martha Corey, Giles Corey, and John Proctor are scheduled to be hung, but Danforth does not call off the hangings. Innocent people are hung because this one man is concerned about his reputation.

Mary