John Proctor And Bill Clinton example essay topic

The Crucible, constructed by Arthur Miller, tells a tale about the conspiracy of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. There are several plots to this complicated text, many of which are concealed throughout the play. Characters portray their various evils and secrets to effect others. Sometimes they can cause great harm to a whole community or to ones around. Secrets have torn apart Salem, and what isn't known is generating confusion and ignorance. Two people who have been involved in a secret are John Proctor and Abigail Williams.

Proctor had locked up his knowledge of his adulterous scandal with Abigail. Another situation similar to this includes president Bill Clinton and his former intern Monica Lewinsky. Both examples are followed by a cover up to hide the illegal actions taken by both parties. There were many reasons to hide their story from others. Were most of the secrets held to protect them from danger that could follow if the truth was to be revealed? First of all, John Proctor had good reason to conceal his relationship with Abigail.

When he was questioned, he denied all accusations made against him. As told by Proctor to Abigail, "Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby" (Miller, 23). This statement shows his predilection not to discuss the relationship.

He knows what will occur if his sin is let off his leash into the community. A similar story broke out in the White House with President Bill Clinton and intern Monica Lewinsky. As time went on, new topics developed and the secrets were leaking out. Clinton soon appeared on national television during the trial to deny statements made by Kenneth Starr, and other prosecutors. The argument seemed paradoxical, but was also convincing.

His address towards the issue stated, "I did not have a sexual relationship with that woman" (Kenneth Starr report). His mind was apparently on the same track as Proctors when it came to admitting having any connection with other women in more than a friendly manner. There are various reasons why both men would keep quiet about what they had done. Proctor's sins could not only destroy, but kill an entire Puritanical society with just one statement. Adultery, like witchcraft was a capital offense. If he tells, (the people of Salem, or what is left of them), they will never forgive his actions.

As with Clinton, if his affair with Monica were revealed, the whole nation's opinions could backfire and cause chaos. It would leave the people of the states questioning the faith in mortality that the president holds. Would this be a bad influence on the youth of America, or just total mortification towards the president? The same goes for Proctor. Would his actions create an unjust perspective on a Puritanical society, or is it much more than that?

There is the story of witchcraft killing the small town of Salem. Could his actions bring about changes in the beliefs of others, or bring a twist to the end of the trials? As time went on, both Proctor and Clinton confessed to their crimes. Proctor shows his true love towards Elizabeth- he is willing to confess to adultery to save her life, and he would later be hanged. Proctor states, "my wife will never die for me!" What he is trying to say is that he must confess or else his wife will have to be hanged. Clinton unveiled his peccadillo to save his presidency and his representation.

Second of all, there are many similarities and differences in personality and behavior that these two men share. Proctor and Clinton are both frightened by what can occur if their knowledge is released into the community. John's number one worry is being hanged for committing a sin in a Puritanical society. Clinton had a similar outcome for the chance of being impeached. Both men would be rejected by either their religion or country. In the community of Salem, John is important, not for what he is but for who he is.

No one is more generous in helping his neighbors, and no one is more honest in his dealings. He is a very straight forward person. If he thinks your opinion is wrong, he will tell it to your face. John has control, a power that is felt by other people. Clinton is the same way. He is the president of the United States, has power, and he not only rules the country, but has an impact on the rest of the world.

These similarities link to other situations, but they are found to be in the opposite direction. Proctor is now assisting his neighbors to get killed for the reason of witchcraft, and he is not being honest with himself or to others. His power is now twisting the trial as stated before. As with Clinton, he is now overpowering the court system and the judgement's of other citizens. Instead of an average citizen being put on trial we now have our own president in their shoes. He then lies under oath about the crime he has committed and expects to get away with it.

They both tried to cover-up their mistakes, but it only led to further and deeper problems. Now a variety of people don't trust John, nor Clinton, for their ridiculous and immature behavior. On the other hand, both men share differences about their personality. For instance, Proctor is denying accusations made against him to protect others.

Clinton, was withholding information to protect himself. If John were to tell about his amour with Abigail, the town would not only be disgusted by his actions, but would never forgive him for his powerful sin. Reason being for Clinton, since he is the president, if his sex scandal is released in public, he will lose support from the "people" as well respect towards himself. There is little that will effect fellow democratic politicians, but will still adjust their opinions on what they think of him as a leader.

Clinton cannot afford to lose trust from his party, as Proctor cannot lose trust from God. In conclusion, both John Proctor, and Bill Clinton were trapped in a situation where they didn't have much room to breathe. Any falter could get them into serious conflicts or even death. It took a lot of strength and contemplating to solve their problems, and even if a bad outcome occurred, someone else was effected in a positive way. Both men eventually had to give in due to what their opinions were on what should happen next. At last, and fair enough, they ended up paying the price, as Proctor was hanged, and Clinton was criticized by a large percent of the country and even parts of the world.