The Art of Name

      Names are the first thing given to us as a child and the last thing we have when we die. It is constant and you only get one. A name can garner respect and foster shame. Our names define us. It is a single word that encompasses our entire being.
      In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, Proctor initially cares a great amount about his name. He could have saved himself and his wife had he not waited so long to call out Abigail, but he didn't want his reputation (name) tainted. While it was noble for him to save his name in the end by withholding his confession, if he given up his name he would have been able to raise his children instead of abandoning them.
     This is because the name is actually what others think of us. It allows others to define us because the name is credited with the accomplishments, not the person. Rumors wouldn't be so effective if we didn't have names: they cause damage because names are inexplicably linked to power and social status. Names essentially represent all outward materialistic things, not the inner person or conscious. How can we let one word describe a lifetime of memories, accomplishments, and traits. Our names shouldn't embody our dreams and hopes. When we identify ourselves with out names we bind ourselves to things that may not even matter. And it makes you wonder: are you your name?