Blame for Characters in The Crucible: The Role of Mrs. Putnam in Blaming Witchcraft

Introduction

In Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, the characters get caught up in hysteria and paranoia, accusing each other of witchcraft. Amidst all this chaos, Mrs. Putnam stands out as someone who constantly blames witchcraft for her family’s troubles. This essay will dive into why Mrs. Putnam is so quick to point fingers at witchcraft, looking at her personal experiences and what drives her. In the end, it’ll show that her strong belief in the supernatural lets her put the blame for her problems on others, adding to the rising accusations and tragedies in the play.

Personal Losses

Mrs. Putnam blames witchcraft mainly because of her personal losses, especially losing her seven kids. She talks about this tragedy a lot during the play, saying their deaths are due to supernatural causes. For example, she says, "I'd not call it sick; the Devil's touch is heavier than sick" (Miller 25). This quote shows how Mrs. Putnam explains her kids' deaths as the Devil's work instead of thinking about other reasons. By blaming witchcraft, she tries to find a reason for her grief, giving her some sort of control over the situation.

Need for Revenge

Besides her personal losses, Mrs. Putnam’s blame on witchcraft is driven by her need for revenge. She resents Rebecca Nurse, who is well-respected and has many healthy kids. Feeling jealous and bitter, Mrs. Putnam thinks supernatural powers are behind Rebecca's good luck. This bitterness is clear when she says, "There are wheels within wheels in this village, and fires within fires!" (Miller 39). Here, Mrs. Putnam hints that hidden forces, like witchcraft, are causing her misfortunes. Her belief in supernatural powers helps her justify her feelings of revenge and putting the blame on others.

Impact on the Community

Mrs. Putnam’s strong belief in witchcraft has a big impact on the rise of accusations and the ensuing tragedy in Salem. Her constant blaming of witchcraft pushes others to do the same, creating a domino effect. For example, when she insists that Betty's illness is due to witchcraft, other characters start suspecting supernatural causes too. This is shown when Mrs. Putnam says, "I'd not answer such a charge; I'd have you examined for such a charge!" (Miller 41). Her insistence on finding witches to blame spreads fear and paranoia in the community, leading to the trials and the resulting chaos.

Consequences

Mrs. Putnam’s unrelenting blame on witchcraft plays a big part in the tragic outcomes in The Crucible. The accusations and trials from her beliefs lead to the wrongful executions of innocent people. Also, the community gets torn apart, friendships break, and trust is destroyed. Miller uses Mrs. Putnam's character to show the dangers of unchecked blame and the awful consequences it can have on people and society.

Conclusion

In The Crucible, Mrs. Putnam is key in keeping the blame for witchcraft alive. Her personal losses, need for revenge, and strong belief in supernatural powers all make her blame others. Through her actions and influence, Mrs. Putnam fuels the hysteria and paranoia that lead to Salem's tragedy. Arthur Miller's portrayal of Mrs. Putnam serves as a warning, reminding us of the destructive power of blame and the need for critical thinking during crises. When we think about this play, we need to consider the bigger impact of blaming others without enough evidence and the potential consequences it can have on people and communities.