The Crucible vs Good Country Men

In God we Trust?

God is a central figure for many around the world and will continue to be for years to come. Whether the belief be in just one God or multiple God’s, the figurehead of God will not disappear. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible the idea of God is central to what is occurring throughout the play. The Puritans placed so much faith in the church that in truth it could do no wrong. However, the church was the thing that deceived them. Abigail Williams and the rest of the girls used the power that the church gave them and deceived those around them. Similarly, in Flannery O’Connor’s short story, “Good Country People”, the use of God gives Manley an advantage as he it gives him the impression of being good country people. He uses this appearance to fool the unsuspecting Hulga. While it can be seen in both The Crucible and “Good Country People” that God is used as a tool to deceive, deception is created in different ways.

Abigail Williams is the queen of deception. She is the mastermind behind the Salem Witch Trials and convinces the other girls to trust in what he is doing and follow what she does. Intolerance is a major theme that runs throughout The Crucible. Puritans believed that religion and the state were one thing. Therefore if you did something wrong in your private life this would also threaten the rule of God and religion. Abigail knew this and the discovery of her and the girls dancing in the woods not only jeopardized their position in the community but also Reverend Parris. The elaborate lie she began to spin was based off of the knowledge that the puritan’s deep belief in God would assist her in creating this deceit. “I want to open myself! I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the devil; I saw him; I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand.” (Miller 1262). This line is spoken by Abigail after Tituba, the black slave admits to witchcraft. Abigail knows that by admitting this she is now redeemed in the eyes of God. This...