The Value of Reputation in Literary Works

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Human nature has always consisted of a type of obsession with maintaining certain reputations. Writers usually portray these characters as either conceited or a form of selfish or noble protection. In The Crucible, one of the main themes is the conservation and destruction of reputation and the repercussions that follow. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby contains a more superficial take of how one appears to others as there is a fine line between the wealthy and poor. These works of literature have clear conflicts that revolve around the value of the expectations and aspects of one’s character. In 1692, Salem, Massachusetts was a largely theocratic community. Religion and Law were practically one and the same. From the beginning of The Crucible, Reverend Parris fears that his daughter’s coma and his niece’s, Abigail, suspicious behavior will destroy his reputation and ultimately his career by being associated in any way with witchcraft. “If you trafficked with spirits in the forest, I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it.” (Miller, 11) John Proctor, the protagonist, is under the manipulation of Abigail throughout the play, because he struggles between preserving his reputation or stopping Abigail’s mischief and saving his wife by exposing their secret affair. Proctor goes to great lengths to let it be known that the witch trials are a hoax, while keeping his reputation clean. Abigail’s ‘victim’ image protects her from being revealed until Proctor becomes more concerned with his personal integrity than his public reputation. “I have given you my soul; Leave me my name!” (Miller, 145) By admitting the truth he believes that he has gained redemption by confessing his sins instead of concealing them and for the public to believe he was a witch. “If you trafficked with spirits in the forest, I must know it now, for surely my

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