Sacrifice in The Crucible Essay

The Lessons of Sacrifices

What would you do for your family? Would you sacrifice your life for your spouse or member of family? The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, is all about sacrifices, some of which are unnecessary. The sacrifices made in The Crucible by Abigail, Elizabeth, and Proctor are all unnecessary.

In The Crucible, Abigail makes a lot of unnecessary sacrifices. One being the sacrifice of her Uncle Parriss reputation, thanks to her being caught in the woods dancing. She claims that she wasnt dancing in the woods, and Parris is concerned because his people are going to come down on him. Now look you, child, your punishment will come in its time. But if you trafficked with sprits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it. (Miller, The Crucible) When Parris says that, he makes her aware that he has many people that dont like him. Thanks to Abigail actions, they will more than likely cause more problems. Abigail, I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish , you compromise my very character. I have given you a home, child, I have put clothes upon your back- now give me upright answer. Your name in the town, it is entirely white is it not? (Miller, The Crucible)

Elizabeth has made some very unnecessary sacrifices in The Crucible. Elizabeth made sacrifices in love. She let Abigail get the better of her and let her husband, Proctor, commit adultery. Your Honor, I in that time I were sick. And I my husband is a good and righteous man. He is never drunk as some are, nor wastin his time at the shovelboard, but always at his work. But in my sickness, you see, sir, I were a long time sick after my last baby, and I thought I saw my husband somewhat turning for me. And this girl. (Miller, The Crucible) When she was sick, she felt that Proctor was turning on her and fancied Abigail. This worried her, very much. I came to think he fancied her. And so one night I lost my wits, I think, and put her out on the high road. (Miller, The Crucible) Elizabeth caused problems in the court, as she tried to cover up Proctor, but the truth finally came out. Thanks to Elizabeth being pregnant, she was saved from death.

Proctor made many sacrifices in The Crucible, but some were unnecessary. Proctor sacrificed his life. He admitted that he had committed adultery which carries a death sentence. His did such thing, to save his wife. In the proper place, where my beasts are bedded. On the last night of my joy, some eight months past. She used to serve me in my house, sir. A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything. I know it now. I beg you, sir. I beg you-see her what she is. My wife, my dear good wife, took this girl soon after, sir, and put her out on the high road. And being what she is, a lump of vanity, sir. Excellency, forgive me, forgive me. She thinks to dance with me on my wifes grave! And well she might, for I thought of him softly. God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whores vengeance, and you must see it; I set myself entirely in your hands. I know you must see it. (Miller, The Crucible) After he admits the to adultery, he tries to prove that Elizabeth is innocent and begs Dansforth that she is. As a result, he gets sentenced to be hung.

The unnecessary sacrifices made by Abigail, Elizabeth, and Proctor in The Crucible proves that sacrifices are not the best. Abigail sacrifices the reputation of her Uncle Parris, thanks to her dancing in the woods and she got caught. Elizabeth made sacrifices in her love life, as Abigail tried to take her husband, Proctor. Proctor sacrificed his life for his beloved wife, Elizabeth. He admitted that he committed adultery while in a relationship with his wife. Sacrifices are not always best, but sometime they have to be made. The quote by G. B. Shaw, Self-sacrifice enables us to sacrifice other people without blushing.