Giles Corey, in Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, asserts that George Jacobs is accused of witchcraft because of a land grab scheme. He reveals that Thomas Putnam, a wealthy and influential figure in Salem, is using the witch trials to eliminate his neighbors and acquire their land. By accusing Jacobs, Putnam aims to seize Jacobs’ property once he is convicted and executed. Giles’ statement highlights the underlying motives of greed and manipulation that drive the hysteria in Salem.
This revelation serves not only to shed light on the personal vendettas at play during the witch trials but also to emphasize the broader themes of injustice and the consequences of mass hysteria in the community. The tragic irony is that while Giles tries to defend his friend, he himself becomes a victim of the very system he seeks to expose.