Thursday, January 22, 2015

Which characters symbolize the refusal to sacrifice personal integrity?

The three main characters that symbolize the refusal to sacrifice personal integrity are Giles Corey, Rebecca Nurse, and John Proctor. These three characters challenge the corrupt Salem court and pay the ultimate price in order to maintain their personal integrity. After being arrested and charged with contempt of court, Giles Corey is sentenced to death by pressing. However, Giles Corey refuses to offer a false confession to save his life as heavier stones are laid on his body. Giles is aware that if he were to confess to being involved in witchcraft, his sons would not inherit his land, which is one reason he maintains his personal integrity while he is being executed.
Both Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor also refuse to offer false confessions to appease Salem's authority figures. They both end up being hanged and die as martyrs in order to maintain their personal integrity. After John tears up his confession in the hopes that his execution will undermine the corrupt court, John finds redemption by maintaining his personal integrity and says,

"You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dog." (Miller, 144)

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