The Crucible - Final

Introduction
The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, is a play set in 17th century Massachusetts. During this time, the belief of witchcraft was predominant in the town, and many were accused in the famous Salem Witch Hunts. The trials of these accusations revolved around the biblical texts, and had little factual evidence that any magic was actually performed. For the most part, the charges were the product of grudges and land disputes. Witchery was simple to fake, and that led to a mass of false allegations which only stopped once everyone had become a “witch.”

Arthur Miller writes The Crucible during the time of the Anti-Communist movement in the United States. McCarthyism – named after the US Senator who promoted anti-communism, Joseph McCarthy – was the general name given to this movement. The Witch trials in the book serve as an allegory to the movement. The story also illustrates that not all of the accusations are factual. In the land wars of The Crucible, Putnam makes attempts to grab more land. Abigail uses the witch theme in an effort to kill Proctor’s wife. The play acts as a parable in such sense.


Act 1
The story of The Crucible begins with witchery immediately. Betty Parris, daughter of Reverend Parris is in a stupor. Parris claims to have seen her and other girls in the forest dancing, sparking witchcraft as a theory. He is very reluctant to state this as the primary source as, being the Salem church minister, the scene of witchery at his house can easily be used by his enemies. This is the initial development of the theme of witchcraft in this play. The incident causes the investigations of other inquiries which lead to more witch accusations, which do not end.

We also learn that John Proctor and Abigail Williams had a relationship earlier in time. It is this that caused Proctor’s wife Elizabeth to fire her from the household. Abigail still has feelings for Proctor, yet Proctor suppresses his, saying “I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again,” (Miller, 23). Abigail also expresses hatred against Elizabeth, aiding the development of tension between the both of them. This is shown to be the primary reason for the later attacks from Abigail

Following the side-scene that tails Proctor’s past relationship, Betty is thrown into a fit. Mrs. Putnam springs to a conclusion that witchcraft is the sole reason for this, as a psalm was sung. Rebecca Nurse, counters that, indicating that she believes the girl is pretending. Rebecca is a respected person in the community and has been a grandmother many times, while Mrs. Putnam has lost 7 children previously. The contrasts between the two women emphasize the differences and create a character foil for each other.

At the arrival of Reverend Hale, renown for his intellect on witches, inquiries on witch-like activities are made. Many of these questions reinforce the superstition of the townsfolk, and serve to set the relationship between the witches and society. Hale first investigates the dancing that was reported, and under the pressure, the source of the problem is averted to Tituba, Parris’ slave. Although defending her position that she was forced by Abigail to perform the ritual, the opposing argument from Abigail appeals to Hale. The ending of this scene concludes with Tituba bending over to the general will and falsely admits to witchcraft, in which she gives the names of Sarah Good and Goody Osburn. This sparks a wave of names from Abigail and Betty, staring the chain of event which will lead to the arrest of many more.

The introduction of each major character is done via authorial intrusion. Miller writes a brief history and bluntly presents it to the reader without disguising it in any way. Along with these descriptions, he also explains the purpose of the stage directions and any actions the actors make. Such an example occurs when Proctor gets angered by Mary Warren. After his line “I’ll show you a great doin’ on your arse one of these days. Now get you home; my wife is waitin’ with your work!” Miller writes “Trying to retain a shred of dignity, she goes slowly out,” (Miller, 21). This shows the impact on the inner feelings of Mary Warren, something many plays would omit and express implicitly. Miller also uses metonymy in the introduction of the characters. In John Proctor’s introduction, Miller states “A Proctor is always marked for calumny,” (Miller, 20). This creates a stereotype-like term that can be applied to other characters who exhibit the same trait.



Act 2
The beginning of this act opens with a conversation between John Proctor and his wife. Although their discussions of daily events seem quite casual, the friction between them surfaces as they reach the climax of the discussion: Mary Warren, their servant. Mary, acting against Proctor’s will, had ventured into Salem to testify in court, during which she claimed to have saved his wife. In this scene the notable phrase “We must all love each other now,” (Miller, 56) from Mary is seen as a change to her dynamic character. From a shy, timid, mouse-like person, she changes with that comment into a threatening person who now has power over Proctor.

We also learn Abigail has risen to power as the “victim” of witchcraft attacks. Fourteen people have been accused of witchery and all from the mere acting of Abigail’s group. The only way of countering this is if Proctor admits his lechery. He faces a dilemma, as admitting lechery would destroy his reputation yet if he does not, the false witchcraft accusations will continue.


Elizabeth is arrested in this scene by Ezekiel Cheever and Herrick after they discover a poppet in the Proctor household. Using this as a connection between an earlier injury of Abiagil, they issue the arrest. Proctor in anger rips up this document, and pursues to free his wife. Hale is also changed in mindset, following the arrest of Proctor’s wife he begins to support Proctor in bringing down the false witch-hunters, going as far as to say “What I have heard in her favour, I will not fear to testify in court” (Miller, 78). The development of this opposing view in Hale will lead to bigger support for Proctor’s points.

Miller continues his use of authorial intrusion, ensuring the actors know every detail of the scene. This extensive use of stage directions also serves to enlighten the reader to past events. In the opening conversation, Elizabeth’s line is marked with “She doesn’t want friction, and yet she must,” (Miller, 51). Used in context with the following lines where Proctor angrily argues with her, it can be implied that the relationship is not a perfect one. Miller also uses irony during when Hale arrives at the Proctor household and requests Proctor to recite the Ten Commandments. He recites all but one, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” This fact is quite ironic, being that he had an affair with Abigail, thereby violating this.

Act 3
In this act the true light of the accusations come to be. Two judges have arrived at the scene, to continue the judging of the witches. During one of their trials, the court is interrupted by Proctor and Mary Warren. Claiming that the girls are merely acting, Mary gives a testimony to the judges, but Danforth is not so quick in believing those facts. Along with many other residents of Salem, Danforth sees many perspectives in black and white. He believes that there are only two types of people in the town, those with the court and those against. Danforth tells this to Francis using an analogy: “But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against there is not road in between” (Miller, 94). Additionally, Danforth does not want to admit that he was tricked by a few girls.

In an attempt to destroy Proctor of any credibility, the judges, along with Parris begin to question his Christianity. It is revealed by Parris that Proctor would only go to church once a month, a fact that shocks the court. From this point, they try to argue that Proctor’s purpose for submitting such evidence is not to save his wife, but to overthrow the court. In the midst of all this the topic that Elizabeth is pregnant is brought up. When Danforth asks for confirmation, Proctor states that “That woman will never lie” (Miller, 92). This statement brings about his downfall.

To prove that he is not there to overthrow the court, Proctor admits to lechery with Abigail, stating “She thinks to dance with me on my wife’s grave” (Miller, 110). The logic behind this is all the witch-acting was setup by Abigail in an attempt to kill his wife so that they could be together. Because no person would throw away his honour for no reason, this statement carries much meaning. Danforth is unsure about this change of events and calls Elizabeth to confirm this. She is oblivious to this recent confession when she is called into the room and therefore, lies about his affair. This completely destroys Proctor’s argument and Abigail takes advantage of it by acting that there is witchery occurring in that room from Mary. Mary giving up hope that there will be any salvation announces that it was Proctor who forced her to do all that and he was working with the devil. Proctor, going crazy with this openly states that he is working for the devil and is arrested.

In this act, rhetoric is used to enforce the validity of the witch trials. One occurrence of this ensues when Francis Nurse states that the girls are acting. Judge Danforth rants with his achievements of his past cases: “Do you know that near to four hundred are in the jails from Marblehead to Lynn, and upon my signature?” (Miller, 87). In this line, Danforth indicates his superiority as well as give information that does not relate to the current case at all.

Act 4
In this final act, we see that the society of Salem is falling apart. Homes and farms are no longer maintained due to the fact that many people are accused of witchcraft. Hale urges the judges to pardon the prisoners, because they would not confess, even as he relentlessly attempts to make them confess. Danforth states that he will not allow this as it would create doubt on all of those accused. Even Parris is concerned about the hangings, as the people sentenced to death are of high social standing, and fears there may be revolt. Everyone in the town fears accusation.

Proctor has not confessed, and in an attempt to make him confess and save his life, Danforth calls on Elizabeth to try to get a confession out of him. In private, Proctor and his wife have a conversation. Giles is mentioned to be killed in an attempt to get him to confess, willing to die than submit a plea. After considering, Proctor makes the decision that he will confess. He signs, yet he does not give them the paper, saying he is entitled to his name, but Danforth interprets this as if Proctor is renouncing his agreement, and in the end he does. The rationale behind this is to him, the good is greater than his life and therefore, to prove that he sacrifices his life.
Works Cited

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. Harmondsworth (GBR): Penguin, 1976. Print.