Jordan is so eager to find out the truth, that Grace’s relationship with him produces the story he wants to hear. Grace knows that there is no concrete evidence against her as there was against McDermott; otherwise she would have been sentenced to death as he was. Instead, it is McDermott’s word against Grace’s: McDermott says that the murders were Grace’s idea, and Grace says that she had nothing to do with the murders. At some points in the book Grace seems like the innocent victim that she claims to be, and at other points the reader can see glimpses of her more manipulative side. During her sessions with Doctor Jordan, her responses are all too rehearsed, and it gives readers a sense of unreliability about her story: “But I don’t say this.
Although his wife, Elizabeth Proctor is nice enough that can forgive his sin, John Proctor has his mind set that he will not confess to anyone else, in fear of running his good name. The affair between John and Abigail causes the start of chaotic witchery and accusation. Abigail became very jealous of Elizabeth Proctor. John realizes there is only way to stop all the witch hysteria in Salem, and that would be to confess adultery. He knows what he should do, but he continues to deny, until his wife is put into jail.
Eventually he makes an attempt, through Mary Warren’s testimony, to name Abigail as a fraud without revealing crucial information about the affair. When this fails, he confesses calling Abigail a “whore”, he then realises that it’s too late and matters have gone too far, not even the truth can stop what Abigail has caused. John’s confession leads to his conviction as a witch. The only way John and his wife can live is if he signs a confession to adultery
Arrogance in pride has the potential to ruin a man’s integrity, destroy his life, and even drive a settlement to insanity. Salem experiences all of the previous and more because of the arrogance of those involved in the Salem Witch Trials. Nathan Hale is one of the few men involved in the trials who had potential to prevent its tragedies from ever occurring. When Reverend Hale was summoned to Salem, he was quick to let his “extensive” dealing with witchcraft be known. Though he is more a man of God than Parris, he is not without his faults, and his faults will prove fatal.
Finally, we see this concept taken to the extreme with the weird sisters. The witches make Macbeth believe something that is false, and lead him on for most of the play. Potentially, if the witches had not given Macbeth this sense of confidence than he may have never killed, Duncan, Banquo or Macduff’s family. This concept of appearance vs. reality not only caused Macbeth to rise up and become king, it also caused his inevitable downfall. Throughout the play Macbeth uses his acting abilities and deceptive qualities to make people believe something, which in reality is false.
If he continued on the ethical path he was on he very well may have rose in rank importance without his stir. So as Lady Macbeth started Macbeth’s wicked ways she has had a substantial affect on his poor decisions and his eventual demise. The wicked witches as well as Lady Macbeth instil a sense of evil desire in Macbeth that was not evident before their
The community is so focused on religious laws that if any one steps out of bounds they are considered in “the devils grip”. (Miller 1.1.1150). The accuser, Abigail is trusted by the town’s people though secretly she wants to be the wife of John Proctor. Her accusations against his pregnant wife cause the town to spiral out of control. During the trials others are caught up in
In the play many characters do not take responsibility for what they do see going on. As a result many lives are taken. For example, John Proctor realizes how dangerous the witchcraft accusations are when the court officials arrest his wife, Elizabeth, for witchcraft: "The little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law! I ll not give my wife to vengeance!” (Miller 34). Before his wife was arrested, John really did not see that the girls weren't just telling little “white lies”.
All he wanted was for fair trials to be conducted and evidence to be looked for, because he was a very just individual and when a debate of who had authority he said “we vote by name in this society, not by acreage” (1. 28). John committed adultery with one of his maidservants, Abigail Williams. When questioned about the emotion that John displayed toward Abby, he said “the promise that a stallion gives a mare I gave that girl”, basically, it was only out of instinct. Proctor really Bates 2 regretted, and felt very upset for his cheating on Elizabeth.
Is Macbeth Responsible For His Downfall? Who is responsible for the downfall of Macbeth? He is manipulated by the witches, encouraged by his wife, but ultimately he chooses to act. His first conference with the witches, Macbeth’s ambition was planted and his mind was overwhelmed with thoughts of murder and betrayal. It fair to say, in addition, that if his betrayal caused this extensive pain that clouded him after he murders Duncan, Banquo and the Macduff’s that it wasn’t a case of fate and was his own doing.