David Merrill, the main character portrayed as a prominent director in Guilty by Suspicion, had definite similarities to John Proctor. The McCarthy hearings called for David’s prosecution. (Guilty by Suspicion) Joseph McCarthy, the character who bears closest resemblance to Abigail Williams, conducted trials to eliminate all Communism in the United States. (Guilty by Suspicion) American citizens feared Communists much like the people of Salem feared the devil. The people of Salem believed that a witch-hunt would banish the devil, just as American citizens believed that the trials would eliminate Communism from the United States. David Merrill’s attendance of two harmless communist parties caused scrutiny of his loyalties, which lead to the loss of his reputation. (Guilty by Suspicion) Like John Proctor, the court offered Merrill to exchange his reputation for his life by giving the names of others who attended the parties. Faced with time in prison and fines, along with the blacklisting of his name, David made the appropriate decision to save his reputation, the reputation of his friends and the reputation of his nine-year-old son, Paulie: “I want to be able to walk into a room with my friends. I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror.” (Guilty by Suspicion) Many people wanted to know why Merrill didn’t simply answer the government’s questions: “Since when did you become this saint? … If you want to make this picture, you gotta get yourself straightened up,” said David’s agent, questioning David’s morals and trying to persuade him to reconsider for the sake of his career. (Guilty by Suspicion) “Why don’t you just give them what they want?! … I think you should leave (before anyone sees me with you),” (Guilty by Suspicion) said David’s friend in New York, who took the same standpoint as David’s agent. (Guilty by Suspicion) David’s life was ruined the instant he was suspected; however, like John Proctor, his integrity was maintained by his not condemning innocent people. (Guilty by Suspicion)
The harassment from the government had many effects on David Merrill. David was going to buy his son, Paulie, a bike for Christmas when a man whose looks resembled those of an agent from the FBI appeared. (Guilty by Suspicion) David showed his paranoia in this scene by approaching the man and yelling at him, “Why the hell can’t you leave me alone? It’s Christmas for God’s sake!” (Guilty by Suspicion) The man was, of course, astonished, as he was not the man David thought he was. This is an understandable response from David, since the FBI had been “observing”—the government’s word for stalking—him for such a great length of time. The government had harassed both Merrill and his friend Buddy Baxter. (Guilty by Suspicion) “I’m scared shitless. … The fucking planet has gone insane. And the only way to get out is by selling out your best friends? … Eating shit isn’t enough. You have to name names.” (Guilty by Suspicion) The strong, vulgar language used by Buddy shows his anger and agitation, which conveyed to the listener their view toward the hearings as ridiculous, biased and unnecessary. In the end, the hearings may have caused more damage to innocent people than the treat of Communism, displayed when David’s friend, Dorothy, committed suicide because of the unrelenting harassment of the government. Paulie saw the sentencing to death of a convicted Communist spy, Michael, on television, “Whatever suffering (the two nine-year-old children of the spy) may endure, it is well worth it.” (Guilty by Suspicion) Paulie shows the innocent and inquisitive nature of a child when he asks, “Are you going away, Dad?” (Guilty by Suspicion) Merrill was heart struck, as would any parent, when he had to respond. Through all of the harassment and distress he endured, David Merrill retained the support of his wife—much like John Proctor does in The Crucible—and is able to make the proper choice by not giving names. (Guilty by Suspicion)
Both main characters in the two stories begin to falter in their morals: John Proctor untruthfully signed his name confirming his dealings with the devil and David Merrill went to court with the intention of giving names, “Am I supposed to spend the rest of my life dreaming what I could have been?” (Guilty by Suspicion) Nevertheless, both individuals eventually make the right choice: Proctor rips the confession stating he compacted with the devil, “You have my soul already. Must you take my name as well?” (The Crucible) and Merrill said to the judges, “I’m willing to answer any questions regarding myself, but I will not answer about or for anyone else.” (Guilty by Suspicion) Both men showed their dignity and stood for their moral beliefs, rather than by taking the easy way out by submitting to the threats of others. Ultimately, both men salvage their lives that were once broken by lies and ignorance.
Works Cited
1. Guilty by Suspicion. Warner Brothers Studios. ©1991, All rights reserved.
2. Miller, Arthur. The Crucible, 1953.
