A Comparison of Arthur Miller's Play The Crucible, and Edna St. Vincent's poem Justice denied in Massachusetts.

Essay by backdoor5128High School, 11th gradeA, February 2005

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History had left many with wrongful convictions, while no one can be certain of a person's innocents, looking back it appears as if many trials were conducted poorly, and that the convictions of were based on unreliable and unbelievable circumstantial evidence. Now, only in hindsight, is it seen the errors made initially, and the failure of justice caused hysteria. Never is this more evident then in Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, and Edna St. Vincent poem, Justice Denied in Massachusetts.

While justice is meant to be administered with utmost fairness and equality Arthur Miller's play The Crucible demonstrates that this does not always prevail, and in many circumstances the forces of injustices are exposed. Those appointed to administer justice often misuse their power resulting in a lack of justice. In addition, Justice failed to protect the individuals of Salem and instead was blinded by their personal jealousies, vengeance, fear, and greed.

Similarly, in the poem Justice Denied in Massachusetts by Edna St. Vincent Millay the justice administered by the judge was blinded by race, color, and background.

In The Crucible justice failed to protect the innocent, as individuals of Salem used the witch trials to make wild accusations against their neighbors for their own personal gain. The Putnam family, in order to gain more land and to settle old grievances, show some of the greed and jealousy that overtake the trials. Thomas Putnam takes advantage of the witch trials and is quick to accuse people so he can take over their land. He starts arguing about the boundaries of his land as he tries to drag John Proctor into a witch scandal. This is done so that Putnam can buy up the land when it becomes forfeited. Goody Putnam accuses the honest Rebecca Nurse about the supernatural murders of her...