Through the character of Rebecca Nurse, Arthur Miller is able to present the role of women in two ways; to be very powerful, yet despite the righteousness of a women, none can be exempt from the accusations. Rebecca Nurse, a figure of respectability and good sense, has a very big influence on John Proctor, the protagonist of the play. It is due to her that he is able to become such a hero of Salem, sacrificing his public reputation for his personal integrity. Rebecca's presence at Proctor's confession convinces him of what he must do. This shows Miller's representation of Rebecca as signifying truth, morality and logic. Her 'great charities' have all been 'heard ofin Beverly', as mentioned by Hale, and her gentle, just nature creates a sense of sympathy for the audience to feel. Interestingly, Rebecca Nurse, is the only character to suggest that the people of Salem 'go to G-d for the cause of' Betty's unresponsiveness rather than jumping straight to the subject of witchcraft. She points out that 'there is prodigious danger in the seeking of loose spirits', stating a witch hunt could 'set [them] all to arguin' again in the society'. Miller presents Rebecca Nurse as very mindful and respectable, leaving people to 'feel resentful of her note of moral superiority' in her absence. She is constant in her just beliefs, yet despite all this righteousness, she becomes the main victim of the Putnams' accusations. This shows the unfair treatment of women at the time, due to the fact that Rebecca Nurse helped so many people and was so selfless, but she could not escape the accusations of immorality that characters resort to. This is particularly highlighted when Hale informs the Proctors that Rebecca had been 'mentioned somewhat in court', as Elizabeth responds '(with an attempt at a laugh)' emphasising the ridicule of the witch hunt, and how it has become out of hand.
