The Crucible-Thomas Putnam Essay - 751 Words

Thomas Putnam plays a major role in the Salem witch hunt in Arthur Miller#8217;s The Crucible. Inheriting a handsome amount of property makes Putnam a wealthy person; however, it doesn#8217;t seem to satisfy his ambition. After the town terribly rejected Putnam#8217;s brother-in-law, Bayley, Putnam#8217;s bitterness has increased. Finally his prodigious involvement in the relentless accusations places him in the center of the spot light, making him a salient character in both the play and the indignant period of the American history. Thomas Putnam has a very large part in initiating the Salem witch hunt. He is the first character who blames unnatural causes for the illness among the children. Furthermore, he firmly believes in the†¦show more content†¦Does Putnam simply wants to killed the witches and save the children? No, there is something bigger he is after. Thomas Putnam profits remarkably in the Salem witch hunt . The person who initiates the event receives all the benefit. Is it a coincident? It is not. Thomas Putnam must have a plan. At the beginning of the play, the argument between Putnam, Giles, and Proctor shows contentions between people over land. #8220;The tract is in my bounds, it#8217;s my bounds, Mr. Proctor,#8221; says Putnam(32). #8220;I bought that tract from Goody Nurse#8217;s husband five month ago,#8221; Proctor replies Putnam(32). #8220;He had no right to sell it. It stands clear in my grandfather#8217;s will#8221;, Putnam tries to show evidence(32). Later in the play, Rebecca Nurse, Giles Corey and John Proctor are prosecuted. To whom will the tract go to? Only Mr. Putnam can afford to buy. George Jacobs is hanged because of Ruth. #8220;If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property-that#8217;s law! And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbor for their land#8221;(96). Putnam is a realistic person. His major plan is to become wealthier and destroy his opposi tions in the witch hunt. In the end, Putnam completes his plan successfully. People like Putnam exists throughout the history of mankind, such as Joseph McCarthy and Adolph Hitler. They profit through abominations toward otherShow MoreRelatedThe Destruction Of Salem By Arthur Miller1558 Words   |  7 PagesArmania Heckenmueller Mrs. Hagerty H English II 2EF 11/23/15 The Destruction of Salem Through Greed and Vengeance in The Crucible During the time The Crucible was set, the community of Salem was awry. It did not have the solid characteristics of what a healthy town should look like. Instead there was no trust between people, everyone was watching out for only themselves, and most of the townspeople were turning their backs on the disastrous deeds of the court. 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