Synthesis of the Crucible and Forgive My Guilt

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Guilt is the natural consequence of sin, the violation of the rules that human beings know they should follow. Refusing to admit to one’s guilt also negatively affects others. Forgiveness; however, is possible if one is willing to make amends. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and Robert.P.Tristram.Coffin’s “Forgive My Guilt”, the protagonist and speaker experience the consequences of sin and try to find ways to deal with their guilty consciences with different results. Guilt corrodes consciences and adversely affects others unless addressed honestly so that the sinner fins forgiveness. Sin leads to guilt and the sinner must find a way to appease his guilty conscience. In The Crucible, Proctor commits adultery with Abigail Williams, but his initial reaction to his sin is to hide his iniquity. He is dishonest with his wife, Elizabeth, when she questions him about his affair. He even gets mad at her, saying that he “will not have [her] susp[ect] any more” (Miller, 54). To stop the reminders his wife gives him of his infidelity, he upbraids her. Elizabeth becomes the innocent victim of Proctor’s wrongdoing. Guilt affects others, not only the sinners. Furthermore, Proctor is guilty of dishonesty because he is the only person who knows that Abigail’s allegations of witchcraft are fraudulent but he is too afraid for his reputation to tell the truth and risk exposing his adultery. His hesitation causes imprisonment of many innocent people. Proctor’s decision to conceal his adultery to protect his reputation inconveniences many people in his town. Proctor finds absolution when Elizabeth’s imprisonment forces him to tell the truth to rescue her. His honest confession to the court exposes him but also allows him to stop hurting others around him because of his illicit actions. Proctor’s admission gets him the forgiveness of Elizabeth and sets him free from hurting her or those

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