In Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, the dispute between John Proctor and Thomas Putnam is rooted in land and personal grievances. Thomas Putnam is a wealthy and influential man in Salem who often uses the witch trials to his advantage. He accuses others of witchcraft to gain their land and settle personal scores.
John Proctor, on the other hand, is a farmer who values his independence and integrity. He is skeptical of the witch trials and openly criticizes Putnam’s motives. Proctor believes that Putnam is using the trials to expand his wealth and power by accusing innocent people of witchcraft and taking their land.
This conflict highlights the tension between personal integrity and greed, as well as the destructive nature of the witch trials in Salem.