4. Preserving one’s reputation is a prevalent theme in The Crucible. Examine three characters in detail who are concerned with their reputations. How does this affect how they act? How are their situations similar or different? Is a good name more important than the truth?

One of the characters that cared so much about their reputation was Reverend Parris. Reverend Parris was only worried about him. He was very clear in the book claiming it took him forever to earn everyone's respect in the church. Since he was the Reverend, people looked up to him, or so he thought they did. When Betty was first "sick" in the beginning he cared for her but he cared about what others would think if witchcraft was involved in her sickness. He thought that if she was conjured by a witch in his "holy" house that it would look bad upon him because he is a Reverend and reverends are suppose to be holy. Another character that was concerned about their reputation was Deputy Governor Danforth. He was proud of who he was and bragged about himself. But once he knew that witchcraft was only a lie made by Abigail, he knew it was wrong but he continued to hang people. Danforth did not want to look bad in front of Salem because they had already hung several innocent people and he could not let his reputation be ruined with a lie made by a girl. He then let those who confessed that they were into witchcraft or they were with the devil. This made him have proof that he did not just let them be free but they admit to being the devil or doing witchcraft things. Even though he knew that they were innocent and they did not sign the confession then he would hang them anyways, which is murder. The other character who cared about their reputation is Abigial Williams. Abigail cares about her reputation as well and wants others to care for her. Reverend Parris spoke with Abigail about his reputation and she claims her name is being blackened by Elizabeth Proctor because of her "rumors" that were made. She did not want everyone to think of her as a whore because of he affair with John Proctor. She was still Reverend Parris' niece and should keep a good reputation to look up too.