... people accuse their neighbors to receive revenge against one another or gain each others' land. Through the characters of John Proctor, the tragic hero; Giles Corey, the scapegoat; and Abigail Williams, the villain, Miller laments the fact that in the real world truth is not always rewarded and treachery ... result of that journey, Miller emphasizes the idea that society is not always interested in honesty. In the play, the purpose of the character Giles Corey is to be the scapegoat who suffers the punishment that should be given to another, which ultimately leads to his destruction. Th...

• Word Count: 1144
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... to their own meanness and stupidity people can become when fear and suspicion overcome their reason. The need to maintain the positive virtues under pressure that Proctor, the Nurses and Giles have was obviously important to Miller. Indeed, comparisons can be drawn between Proctor's and Miller's motivations for the truth. However, it has been said that the character of ... Giles Corey best reflects Miller's views on "witch-hunts". Giles is motivated by the truth and a contempt for the authorities and individuals who promoted the witch-hunts. He also acts as a cynical commentator on the ...

• Word Count: 1435
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... witchcraft, even without concrete evidence to support his allegation. Hale used such inadequate verification as the deaths of Mrs. Putnam's first seven children, and the reading of strange books preventing Giles from praying, to prove the presence of the Devil. After interviewing the Proctor's, John reveals something to Hale that drastically changed the way he looked at the trials. While on ... ...

• Word Count: 956
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate