Crucible

The Crucible underscores the enduring truth that when fear, intolerance, and the desire for
power combine, it can lead to the persecution of innocent individuals and the erosion of
justice and morality.

TITLE
●​ The word, “crucible”, is never mentioned throughout the play, yet it is a title of great
symbolic importance.
●​ In the play Salem is the Crucible (in scientific sense) and the characters are the
substances. The Crucible is supposed to separate the pure from the impure substances, so
in Salem, this separates the pure characters from the impure characters. Throughout the
play, Miller has characters face severe tests that make them question their own self.
●​ The term ‘Crucible’ could also be used to describe the heat of the situation. Innocent
people were caught up in the witch hunt, thrown into an overheated situation that had
been blown completely out of proportion.
●​ The Crucible may also symbolize Hell. As substances in a crucible melt and disintegrate,
they form a completely different substance. This could symbolize the society of Salem
disintegrating and forming into a completely new one.

Miller wrote Crucible as he saw a strong parallel between the witch-hunts in Salem, and what
was happening in America in the 1950s. However, this time, the hunt was for Communists.

McCarthyism
●​ In America, the common perception was that the Communists were “an empire of Evil”.
●​ Communism stood for repressive police states, human rights abuses and lack of freedom.
●​ Beginning of Red scare
●​ Enter: Joseph McCarthy and the HUAC
-​ questioned Americans who were suspected of being Communists.
-​ summoned thousands of people to testify
-​ Goal: to get as many names of “Communists” as possible
●​ These people had two options:
-​ Admit to being a Communist and tell McCarthy names of other people who attended
Communist meetings
OR
-​ Refuse to admit anything (or rat out others) and be blacklisted
●​ Can’t get work if blacklisted
●​ A Lose-Lose situation

THEMES IN THE PLAY

Hysteria, in this context, refers to an uncontrollable outburst of emotion or fear, often irrational,
that spreads rapidly through a group of people. The play illustrates how the townspeople of
Salem, gripped by the terror of witchcraft accusations, abandon reason and justice. Hysteria leads
to a breakdown of social order, as characters like Abigail Williams manipulate the fears of others
for personal gain, while even the most rational figures, such as Reverend Hale, are swept up by
the collective frenzy. Miller uses the Salem witch trials as an allegory for McCarthyism,
highlighting how hysteria can blind communities, fuel false accusations, and ultimately destroy
lives.
Mob mentality, or herd behavior, refers to the tendency of people to follow the actions and
beliefs of a larger group without independent judgment. In Salem, fear and the desire to conform
lead villagers to join the accusations of witchcraft without questioning their validity. This
collective behavior allows for the scapegoating of innocent people and the erosion of rational
thought. Miller uses mob mentality as a warning about the dangers of groupthink, reflecting both
the Salem witch trials and the Red Scare of his time.

Reputation is the way that other people perceive you. Integrity is the way you perceive yourself.
In The Crucible, Arthur Miller focuses on the witch hunt to illustrate that one’s actions can be
driven by the intent to preserve one’s reputation. It also shows that unfounded suspicions and
rumors can ruin a person’s public and private image. The characters are driven to sin in order to
preserve their reputation.

Injustice: The Crucible problematizes the concept of justice; it suggests that justice is the
prerogative of a few authority figures whose word is often unchallenged and taken as the law.
Those with a different perspective than the ones authorized by the government or church are
charged with heresy and siding with the Devil, as shown in the character of Reverend Parris.

ACT1

Hysteria and Fear:

The town is gripped by fear of witchcraft, leading to irrational accusations and paranoia. Rumors
spread quickly, fueling suspicion and panic.

Social and Religious Strife: Personal grudges and land disputes, like the Putnams' accusations,
fuel conflicts, while Proctor and Parris clash over church and leadership. Theocratic authority
drives tension, with figures like Parris using religion for personal gain, while others seek
moderation amidst witchcraft fears.
Example: The conflict between Reverend Parris and John Proctor reflects the broader tensions
within the community. Parris is concerned with his reputation and status, while Proctor is critical
of Parris's preaching and the growing religious extremism in Salem.

Reputation and Integrity: Reverend Parris is obsessed with maintaining his reputation, fearing
witchcraft under his roof will ruin him.This fear influences his actions and decisions.

Power and Authority: Parris, Putnam, and others use the witch trials to assert power and
control over others. The theocratic system allows religious officials to have immense authority,
influencing decisions through fear of divine punishment.

Jealousy and Vengeance: Abigail’s accusations are fueled by jealousy and desire for revenge
against Elizabeth.
 ACT2

Irony in ACT2

Miller creates a situation of bleak irony in this act with the arrest of Rebecca Nurse and Elizabeth
Proctor. These characters are the most upright in the play, yet are accused of witchcraft by two of
the most unprincipled, Putnam and Abigail. The witchcraft hysteria has created a situation in
which the accuser of witchcraft is automatically presumed holy, as Proctor notes, while even the
most spiritual character may be suspected of Satanic influence. This act sees one of the most
blatant examples of irony in the play. When Proctor is asked to recite the ten commandments, the
only one he forgets is the one most applicable to him, adultery ("Thou shalt not covet thy
neighbor's wife."). This shows how hard he is trying to repress his guilt.

The Proctors can rely only on Mary Warren to save themselves from Abigail’s treachery. Yet she
is the weakest and most pliable character in The Crucible. She alone has the power to stop the
hysteria of the witchcraft trials. Mary requires intense pressure from John Proctor to even
consider admitting to the falsehood in court. However, despite her weakness Mary Warren is as
dangerous as Abigail, for the honest girl betrays none of Abigail's malicious bearing and thus
appears more overtly innocent. She is a pawn who may be used by the Proctors to prove their
innocence, but Miller foreshadows that Mary Warren may be used by Abigail to serve her own
purposes as well.

Themes in ACT2

Blurring of Public/Private
The play shifts from private conversations to public accusations, blurring the two spheres.
Officials like Hale use personal details—church attendance, beliefs, even household behavior- as
public evidence. Under strict scrutiny, even small private matters are twisted into signs of guilt.

Ambiguity of Evidence
Evidence becomes unclear and misused. Hale treats Proctor forgetting a commandment as
suspicious. Martha Corey is accused of witchcraft simply for reading. The poppet, made
innocently by Mary, is used by Abigail to frame Elizabeth- revealing Abigail's shift from
self-preservation to revenge.

Hysteria- In The Crucible, fear and hysteria give people a way to express anger and frustration
caused by strict Puritan rules. Some use witchcraft accusations for personal revenge- like
blaming a neighbor for a dead pig or lost babies. Still, many genuinely believe the devil is
attacking Salem. To protect their faith and appear innocent, they accuse others. The play shows
how intense religious belief can fuel hysteria, overpowering justice and reason.

Reputation- In Act 2, reputation strongly influences characters’ choices. Proctor fears that
revealing his affair will ruin his name. Elizabeth worries that being accused will disgrace their
family. Fear of losing social standing drives people to act wrongly, showing how the pressure to
protect one's name can overpower honesty and fairness.

Power and Authority- The theme of power and authority is shown through the court’s influence
and how characters react to it. The court, represented by Hale and Cheever, believes its authority
comes from God, which leads to unfair accusations and harsh actions. Proctor’s resistance shows
his fight against a system that values power more than truth. Abigail takes advantage of the
court’s authority for her own benefit, revealing how power can corrupt and threaten justice in
Salem.

Guilt- Proctor grapples with his guilt over the affair with Abigail, which strains his marriage and
fuels his internal conflict. Elizabeth's suspicions about Proctor further amplify this guilt, leading
to tension between them. It highlights how the weight of guilt can influence choices and drive
individuals to act against their better judgment.

ACT3

Mood & Tone in ACT3

The intensity of act three in the crucible allows a dramatic shift to occur that allows the act to
have a grim appeal that makes it connect to the surreal events that occurred in 1692 as the play
was written by author Arthur Miller in 1952.
Act three has a very unsaturated and nightmarish mood as it really allows the play to have a clear
understanding in the sense that the reader knows this play is not a light hearted play filled with
joyous events, instead it is ruthless and surreal as people have been hanged, some are being
accused and killed, and some are the terrible minds behind it causing people to disappear in the
snap of a finger. Salem Massachusetts is no longer a safe place where people can hide, instead it
is a place filled with accusations and death.
Speaking of the author the court is back in session as people are being accused of being involved
with witchcraft and it seems that the author immediately sets the tone as being pessimistic as the
worst is yet to come and that the people in Salem Massachusetts bay colony can expect much
worse things to occur as people in this city are making things difficult for themselves.

Important Symbols/Devices in ACT3

During Act III, there were many important symbols and literary devices that were significant to
the plot and historical context.

1.​ The Poppet

●​ The poppet discovered in Act 3 is used as evidence to prove that Elizabeth was involved
with witchcraft.
●​ It was designed to look like a voodoo doll with a needle under the shirt.
●​ Back in 1692, a doll with a needle symbolized voodoo and black magic and most were
essentially used to harm others.

2. The Church
●​ The church is significant because it's supposed to be a holy and peaceful place yet
complete chaos and destruction breaks out discussing about devils and witches.
●​ Although, people are scared of witchcraft -it's actually the Puritans influencing the chaos
 and violence because they think it's right for any means to get rid of witchcraft.

The church in act III was used as the courtroom to discuss the hangings of the accused women
and other cases related to Salem Witch Trials. (The noose is used in the gallows to hang an
individual. If a person was guilty of a crime, they would be sent to the gallows. It was the
punishment that awaited the “witches”)

3. Allusion
In The Crucible, the people of Salem refer to religion when making choices. The witches were
seen as devil worshipers. The belief of witchcraft and religion resulted in the Salem Witch Trials.
Example:
Parris (to Danforth)makes the statement,
"I think not, or you should surely know that Cain were an upright man, and yet he did not kill
Abel."
Referring to the book of Genesis, They were the sons of Adam & Eves. Cain was the first human
born and Abel was the first human to die.

4. Metaphor/Foreshadow
Arthur Miller used a metaphor to foreshadow events and draw more tension to the witch hunt
and how strong the court is.
Example:
Danforth says to Proctor "we burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment."
Significance: The power of court is so strong that it could burn whatever John's concealing,
Foreshadow: Later in the act - as tension begins to heat in court, John eventually confesses his
affair with Abigail.

5. Irony
Abigail and others like Danforth, Reverend Hale and Reverend Parris display the irony of this
act.
These characters have titles and characteristics that everyone looks up to as good, innocent or
someone pure. The ironic part is they are the actual ones that influence the chaos and destruction.
Example:
Abigail looks innocent but manipulates fear and leads John and many others to their downfall.
Reverend Parris hides the witch events that happens in his house to keep his reputation and
power

Irony in ACT3

In Act 3, Reverend Hale continues to make ironic statements about the existence of concrete
proof for the accusations of witchcraft. While touting his holy credentials, he claims that he
“dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of my conscience
may doubt it” (pg. 91). This “immaculate proof” that has led him to sign numerous death
warrants is nothing but the fabrications of teenage girls and other townspeople seeking
petty revenge.

Abigail’s presence is always rife with irony in The Crucible, as she constantly chastises others
for sins she herself has committed. When she is brought in for questioning and claims to see
Mary’s familiar spirit, she says “Envy is a deadly sin, Mary.” Abigail herself has acted out
of envy for the entire play.

THEMES IN ACT3

Hysteria When the petition testifying to the good character of the accused women is presented,
the reaction from Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris is to arrest the people who signed it rather than
considering that this might indicate that the women are innocent. Danforth is convinced that
“there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country!” and anyone who doubts the
decisions of the court is potentially involved.

Reputation John Proctor sabotages his own reputation in Act 3 after realizing it's the only way
he can discredit Abigail. This is a decision with dire consequences in a town where reputation is
so important, a fact that contributes to the misunderstanding that follows. Elizabeth doesn’t
realize that John is willing to sacrifice his reputation to save her life. She continues to act under
the assumption that his reputation is of the utmost importance to him, and she does not reveal the
affair. This lie essentially condemns both of them.

Power and authority Abigail’s power in the courthouse is on display. She openly threatens
Danforth for even entertaining Mary and John's accusations of fraud against her. Though
Danforth is the most powerful official figure in court, Abigail manipulates him easily with her
performance as a victim of witchcraft. Logic has no power to combat paranoia and superstition
even when the claims of the girls are clearly fraudulent. John Proctor surrenders his agency at the
end of Act 3 in despair at the determination of the court to pursue the accusations of witchcraft
and ignore all evidence of their falsehood.

ACT4

The epilogue of The Crucible reflects on the aftermath of the Salem witch trials, showing the
long-term effects on the community and individuals. It reveals how the hysteria and false
accusations led to irreversible tragedy, leaving the town scarred. The death of innocent people,
such as John Proctor, underscores the consequences of mob mentality and the dangers of
unchecked power. The epilogue serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity,
justice, and the need to question authority when it becomes oppressive. It calls for a reflection on
how societies can fall prey to fear and paranoia, leading to the destruction of innocent lives.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
John Proctor- John Proctor is both a tragic hero and a symbol of resistance. His journey from
guilt over his affair with Abigail Williams to his eventual refusal to save himself through a false
confession showcases his moral development. By tearing up his confession, Proctor reclaims his
sense of self-worth and restores his honor, aligning with Miller’s portrayal of individual
resistance as a powerful moral act. This decision serves as a critique of McCarthy-era pressures
to name names and implicates others, a practice Miller openly opposed.

Elizabeth Proctor- Elizabeth’s arc complements John’s journey, particularly through her evolving
understanding of forgiveness and loyalty. Her support of John’s choice to retain his integrity,
even at the cost of his life, highlights her own moral growth and solidifies her as a morally
resilient character. Elizabeth’s acknowledgment of her own faults in their marriage provides a
nuanced view of love, forgiveness, and personal accountability within the play’s context.

Reverend Hale- Reverend Hale’s transformation from an overzealous witch-hunter to a

guilt-ridden advocate for the accused showcases the theme of personal responsibility. His
evolution underscores Miller’s argument that individuals must question and challenge authority,
especially when it perpetuates harm. Hale’s eventual disillusionment with the court
The act highlights the remorse felt by many characters, particularly John Proctor, who grapples
with his past actions and seeks forgiveness from his wife. Reverend Hale, also deeply affected
by the trials, seeks to save those co

THEMES IN ACT4

Act 4 emphasizes the importance of personal integrity and the value of a good name. John
Proctor's decision to die rather than sign a false confession and ruin his reputation demonstrates
his commitment to his own moral code. Danforth's obsession with maintaining the court's
reputation, even if it means sacrificing innocent lives, highlights the dangers of prioritizing
appearances over justice.

The act explores the tension between the belief in divine justice and the fallibility of human
judgment. The court's decision to continue with executions despite the overwhelming evidence
of a false accusation challenges the concept of divine justice.

The act examines the concept of loyalty, both to oneself and to others. John Proctor's choice to
die for his wife demonstrates his loyalty to her, while Reverend Hale's efforts to save the
condemned highlight his loyalty to justice and the people of Salem.