Essay/Term paper: Definition of integrity

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Argumentative Essays

Definition of Integrity


The definition of integrity according to Webster's Dictionary is, "a
rigid adherence to a code of behavior." There are though many ways to look at a
persons integrity. A person with integrity possesses many qualities. Three of
these qualities are honesty, the ability to follow a moral code, and loyalty to
yourself and your beliefs.
In The Crucible, a prime example of a person with integrity is Elizabeth
Proctor. Elizabeth shows her personal purity when she refuses to persuade her
husband to confess to crimes of witchcraft. She refuses because she believes
that he is good now in God's light. God, to her, will show her the right way,
and she believes that by following God's moral code she will be right and just.
John Proctor, Elizabeth's husband, also shows his integrity when he refuses to
confess to crimes of witchcraft. Even though confessing would save his life, he
won't confess to a crime he didn't commit. He knows that being dishonest isn't
being loyal to his beliefs.
In The Crucible, an example of not possessing integrity is also shown.
Danforth, is the prime example of having no loyalty towards himselfor his
beliefs. Danforth, is the Deputy Governor who convicts the citizens of being
witches. When Danforth is asked to pardon the accused, he refuses saying that
he can't because twelve have already hung for the same crime, and he refuses
to let asnyone off. Even though he knows what is right and that they are
innocent he won't because it would ruin the integrity of the court, and his own
recitude.
Indictment: The McMartin Trial, also has many characters who posses a
great sense of integrity. For instance the McMartin family sticks together even
when they are being accused of the horrible crime of child molestation. They
also will not confess to the crime because they know they are innocent and that
it wouldn't be right to say that they were guilty. The McMartin's also never
give up hope in the rest of the world. They never lose faith in their belief in
that truth will always prevail. They keep their uprightness, through everything
never giving up and always keeping the faith that if they are loyal to their
beliefs in God everything will work out in the end.
Fox Moulder, the main character from the TV show the X-Files has a sense
of integrity, in that he always does what he believes is right, and what he
feels is the truth. No matter what happens in his life he always believes that
his sister was abducted by aliens, even though the popular belief is that aliens
don't exist. He also doesn't follow the norm in his thinking, he follows the
path that he thinks is right. He also never conforms to the popular opinion, he
always look for the truth.
Integrity shows up in many places and has many faces. The faces of
truth, moral code, and loyalty are all parts of integrity and show up everyday
in many ways. To have a true sense of integrity one must posses all three. You
have to be honest to yourself and to others, follow your personal beliefs and
stick to what you think is right, and you have to be loyal to yourself.
Integrity is to be truly honest, and fair, and to uphold the beliefs important
to you.