A British prime minister, Benjamin Disraeli, once said “Circumstances are beyond the control of man, but his conduct is in his own power.” This quote emphasizes that our reactions to situations and events hold great importance even though we cannot predict the future. It states that our behavior and decision-making are within our control and reflect our personal responsibility. I agree with this viewpoint because it recognizes that while we cannot determine what happens, we still have the ability to make choices for ourselves. This sentiment is strongly echoed in two significant literary works: The Stranger by Albert Camus and The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
Both stories portray main characters who confront different choices, but in both cases, the ultimate outcome is beyond their control. In Albert Camus’ novel, The Stranger, the protagonist Meursault faces numerous decisions, yet many of the consequences are unfavorable and outside his influence. Despite knowing about Raymond’s infamous reputation as a pimp in the community, Meursault chooses to befriend him. Out of all possible companions, he selects Raymond which ultimately leads to his own downfall.
Later in the novel, Meursault comes across one of Raymond’s enemies for the first time. In a brutal act, he utilizes a firearm to kill the unknown person, discharging 5 bullets. Despite only requiring one shot for protection, Meursault decides to shoot the attacker an additional 4 times. Consequently, he must face the repercussions of his deeds, which include being arrested and standing trial in court. Meursault did not anticipate or want these events as they are situations beyond his control. Almost a year later, he meets his demise via execution by guillotine.
John Proctor, the main character in Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, had the opportunity to live a lawful and ordinary life but instead made immoral choices. Consequently, he ended up as a prisoner and ultimately faced execution.
In this play, John Proctor is depicted as the protagonist who enjoys high respect within the Puritan community. Conversely, Abigail Williams assumes one of the primary antagonist roles. She is an attractive young woman singularly focused on fulfilling her selfish desires.
The society portrayed in The Crucible operates under religious governance where Christianity holds great significance. Within this Puritan society, all aspects of life are guided by religious beliefs.
John Proctor has chosen to commit adultery with Abigail Williams, despite having the power to deny it. As a result, Abigail has developed romantic feelings for him and wants to marry him even though he is already married to Elizabeth Proctor. To achieve her goal, Abigail plans to falsely accuse Elizabeth of witchcraft, taking advantage of the intense aversion towards witches in the Puritan religion. It is important to note that being accused as a witch in the Puritan religion can lead to death unless one confesses and repents.
Abigail’s selfish behavior of trying to gain control results in Elizabeth’s trial during the Salem Witch Trials. The corrupt judges, who desire bloodshed, swiftly find Elizabeth guilty. Although he still loves his wife, John Proctor confronts the judges and admits that if he had not committed adultery, he could have saved both his reputation and marriage. He confesses to having an affair with Abigail Williams, fully aware of her intention to eliminate Elizabeth and replace her as his spouse. The corrupted judges accept Abigail’s claim and also charge John Proctor with witchcraft.
In essence, John Proctor is executed because he refuses to confess his participation in witchcraft. This tragic consequence is influenced by both John’s personal desires and Abigail’s selfish motives. Similarly, Meursault also makes choices that provide him a feeling of control but lead to unexpected outcomes. These instances strongly indicate that while circumstances are uncontrollable, individuals can govern their own behavior. Despite our inability to predict the future, we possess the capability to manage our conduct.
