While other characters lied to save their skins after being accused, Rebecca Nurse was honest and brave because of her faith in Christ. In a brutal act of vengeance, Edward and Jonathan Putnam “signed the first complaint against Rebecca and Thomas Putnam’s little daughter was the one who fell into a fit at the hearing and pointed to Rebecca as her attacker” (26) thus sealing the fate of this highly respected, innocent woman.
The witch trials were a perfect time for the Putnams to protect their name while expressing their hatred for the Nurses. The Putnam’s and Nurse’s dispute over who should be in the ministry in Salem eventually drove the Nurses out of town to form Topsfield, “a new and independent entity whose existence was resented by old Salemites” (26) thus increasing the loathing the Putnams had for the Nurses. Rebecca was an esteemed member of the community “the general opinion of her character was so high that to explain how anyone dared cry her out for a witch - and more, how adults could bring themselves to lay hands on her…” (26) simply shows the greed and selfishness of the people of Salem. When Salem turned its back on honesty, goodness, and trust, Rebecca did not follow the masses in their lies and attention seeking she stayed true to herself and her beliefs. Only Rebecca Nurse remained faithful to her beliefs before and during the witch trials. Many of the individuals tried in court were fearful of the highly probable chance of being hung, and therefore confessed to a lie and accused others. The supposed Christian town of Salem, where nominal, shallow citizens were more concerned with their own personal gain than with loving their neighbor, was in chaos due to the witch trials where many innocent citizens were accused. The Crucible is a tale of desperation, lies, and hopelessness. Rebecca Nurse is an honest woman motivated by her faith in Christ. She refuses to stoop down to the level of liars, backstabbers, and thieves in a time of uncertainty and corruption.
While this brings fear to all of Salem, one character stands by her beliefs until the death. In today’s world and as shown in The Crucible, honesty is unappreciated and the truthful are punished.
Individuals with integrity have always been scarce in society.
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