The Path To Hell Essay Research Paper — страница 2

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the Ou 4 town, and is finally given an opportunity to reveal its nefarious power when the town is occupied with the witchcraft trials. When the town and its citizens are consumed by confusion and disorder, several characters discover the opportunity to take advantage of the situation and acquire as much wealth as possible. Such is the case with Thomas Putnam, who had supposedly requested his daughter to cry witchery upon George Jacobs, a man who owned a large quantity of land, to send him to jail. If Jacobs hangs as a witch, his land is to be forfeited, and Thomas Putnam would be the only one with enough money to purchase the land. As a result of the pandemonium brought about by the trials, Jacobs was accused, and soon after he was arrested without questioning or proper evidence.

Greed can drive men to do anything to meet their desires, but it can also destroy a reputation and alienate even friends and family members who trust them. When Proctor is questioned by Hale as to why he has occasionally absent from church, he explains his discontent with the Reverend Parris. He claims that he prefers to avoid the Reverend and gives an example of the greed he senses in the man. ?Since we built the church there were pewter candlesticks upon the altar? But Parris came and for twenty week he preach nothin? but golden candlesticks until he had them. I labor the earth from dawn of day to the blink of night, and I tell you true, when I look to heaven and see my money glaring at his elbows?it hurt my prayer, sir, it hurt my prayer. I think sometimes, the man dreams

cathedrals, not clapboard meetin? houses.? (65) Proctor shows his adversity toward greed by avoiding his Reverend and Church because of his repulsion for the man. Greed has never been looked highly upon, and when it has beset any soul, any effect is certain to be detrimental. Ou 5 Vengeance, punishment in retaliation for injury or offense, in the case of the Salem Witchcraft trials, was the predominant cause of this mishap. When an individual is harmed, they can learn to forgive their adversary or request atonement. But when they stoop so low as to turn to reprisal as a solution, the result will mostly be inimical to more desirable outcomes. The most prevalent example of the exhibition of vengeance is in the discord within the Proctor family, and with their former servant Abigail

Williams. Elizabeth Proctor had thrown Abigail out of the house shortly after learning of the affair between Abigail and her husband, John. Abigail, who is still in love with John and hates Elizabeth, was then determined to defile Elizabeth and espouse John. ?Never in this world! I know you John?you are at this moment singing secret hallelujahs that you?re wife will hang! (p. 152) Despite the obvious, Abigail still feels that everything should go her way. Though all that was in her mind was a childish desire to be with John, her mere artifice would soon lead to the demise of a town and several of its citizens. In opposition to her deceitful manipulation, John does all that he can to reveal the actuality of the predicament. ?If you do not free my wife tomorrow, I am set and bound

to ruin you Abby.?(p. 151) in an ineffectual attempt to save his name, as well as the lives of several other innocent victims, he pays with the loss of his own. While vengeance can sometimes be an infantile response to mistreatment, when it is carried too far, it can result in immeasurable losses, sanity, faith, and even life. Lacking experience, the small town of Salem Massachusetts followed the path to hell, and that is exactly where it led them. It brings into question the power of the Devil and his involvement in this series of losses. It reveals the destructive competence that lays dormant within the hearts of every man. Once these men are exposed to the lures and temptations Ou 6 that can provoke them to do anything, a spark is set off that can ignite a holocaust of

infinite proportions. A fire was ignited in Salem, it was put out, but it is only a fraction of the indefinite battle between good and evil. The Puritans lost this battle, and the power of theocracy was broken forever. The Salem Witchcraft trials will be remembered throughout the course of time. And whether this was the work of the Devil or the will of the people, this tragic occurrence should set an example never to be followed.