The Truth Will Set You Free
The dangerous conditions of the Salem Witch Trials caused the whole town to live in fear. People were constantly being accused by their neighbors and close friends. When Elizabeth's husband John is accused of being a wizard he clams that his accuser, Abigail, is motivated by the fact that she had an affair with him and is only tying to get back at Elizabeth, John's wife. When brought in to support John's claim, Elizabeth lies and says John was always faithful to her. Elizabeth's morals about honesty take an ironic turn in Arthur Miller's The Crucible, when Elizabeth lies in order to protect her husband when in fact she has doomed him to death.
Before Elizabeth's infamous lie, her morals were what pushed her along in such a harsh Puritan society. Her and her husband John are known as a very honorable couple in Salem.
Deposition of Abigail Williams v. George Jacobs, S...
"The witch no. 1" lithograph
The Pickman House, Back view that abuts the Salem ...John has a reputation for being a straight shooting family man, to which he mostly lived up to, and Elizabeth, also carries that same reputation. She has strict morals and believes in honesty and truth. When Elizabeth found out that her husband John was having an affair with their maid Abigail, she immediately fired her and sent her to live on the streets. Elizabeth does not tolerate untruth and trickery, and if ever asked to lie about something she would refuse immediately since it goes against her morals completely.
The events after Elizabeth's lie in the witch trials have caused her to change her beliefs. Abigail had accused Elizabeth of witchcraft, and with Elizabeth she had accused John. This made John furious and he confesses his affair with Abigail to prove to the court that Abigail is acting out of jealousy and vengeance. When the judge brings out Elizabeth...