Elizabeth's Perspective:
1. Lack of Emotional Intimacy: Elizabeth is reserved in expressing her emotions and finds it difficult to communicate deeply with John. This creates an emotional distance that affects their connection.
2. Doubt and Trust Issues: Elizabeth initially harbored doubts about John's past infidelity, which created a strain on their trust. While John's actions caused this mistrust, Elizabeth's struggle to move beyond it also affected their closeness.
3. Religious Conviction: Elizabeth's strong religious beliefs and strict adherence to the Puritan society's moral standards sometimes make her judgmental towards John's more flexible views.
John's Perspective:
1. Adultery: John's affair with Abigail Williams was a betrayal of his marriage and broke Elizabeth's trust. This act caused considerable pain and resentment in their relationship.
2. Concealing the Affair: John initially hid the affair from Elizabeth, adding to the deceit and further damaging their trust.
3. Conflicting Values: John's moral compass differs from the stern Puritan values upheld by Elizabeth. This difference, highlighted in their views on witchcraft accusations and the lengths to which they would go to protect others, creates tension between them.
While it's tempting to assign more blame to one party, the breakdown of their relationship is a consequence of their shared history, miscommunication, and the social pressures of their time. Both Elizabeth and John contribute to the challenges in their marriage, and their inability to find a common ground exacerbates the rift between them.