The Crucibleby

Arthur Miller

Revision Guide

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Summary

"The Crucible" is a 1953 play by Arthur Miller. It is set in the Puritan community of Salem, Massachusetts in the

late seventeenth century. The play centres on paranoia and hysteria, and the ability of fear to cause basic

human emotions to take over. The protagonist of the play is John Proctor, an independent thinker who is put

into a number of difficult situations by the chaos within Salem.

Although the play is set in the 1690s, it has echoes with a more modern era, and Miller intended the play to be a

criticism of the paranoia over Communism in the US in the 1950s. Although the fear of Communism has died

down, the key themes of "The Crucible" remain evident today.

Historical Context

The Salem Witch Trials

The ending of the seventeenth century (1600s) was a period of strong religious belief throughout the Christian

world. One of the strictest of these groups were the Puritans. The Puritans believed that true religion was

shown through acts and deeds, and particularly through hard work. They shunned the beliefs of Catholics and

other Protestants who celebrated religion through ornate churches and images. Instead, Puritans felt that self-

sacrifice was the route to religious salvation. Puritans therefore wore only simply-coloured clothes, and worked

hard with little rest their entire life. They rejected things such as dancing and music as being evidence of leisure

time, and therefore of time wasted. Their strict conservatism led to conflict with non-Puritans, particularly in

England. After the establishment of colonies in what later became the United States, many Puritans fled

England for the New World (what America was known as at the time) where they set up communities. From

1630, many Puritans began to head to Massachusetts (an area, now a state, on the East coast of America).

Because of the distance between Massachusetts and England, the Puritan community was semi-independent,

and was able to govern itself in many areas. Massachusetts at that point was a theocracy, where religious law

and political law were the same.

Salem was an isolated community within Massachusetts. The belief in witches was common throughout the

Protestant world at the time, and witchcraft was seen as a means of interacting with the devil. Many aspects of

everyday life were attributed to witchcraft and black magic, and not believing in witches was said to mean that

one didn't believe in God. The lack of medical understanding at the time meant that disease and illness were

often linked with witches. Salem was divided by a social rivalry between families. When this is combined with

its physical isolation - it was ripe for a descent into witchcraft. When girls within Salem began to experience

epileptic fits and other medical problems, accusations flew across the social divide. Most of those accused were

either local rivals or those who were in some way alienated from the community. Sarah Good, a local beggar,

and Tituba, a Barbadian slave were some of the first to be accused. For a period of two years the trials raged,

and a number of Salem figures were convicted of witchcraft. Although the panic eventually died down in 1693,

the Salem trials are commonly held to be an example of mass hysteria, in which fear and irrationality are

contagious and spreads throughout a community.

The Communist Trials

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The period after the Second World War (1939-45) saw the emergence of the Cold War. This was so-called

because it was a war that never broke out into actual fighting, despite there being tension and aggression from

both parties. The two sides in the Cold War were the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR), a Communist

country based around modern-day Russia. The conflict was one of ideology, between Communism (USSR) and

Capitalism (USA). Capitalism refers to the economic system of free trade and free markets, and is generally

linked with the democratic West (Western Europe and the USA). During the Cold War, Communism began to

spread throughout the world, and the USA feared that it would take over.

After World War II, the United States became the key global player in preventing the spread of Communism,

and became increasingly worried about Communists within the US itself. Such was the sense of paranoia that

many Americans began to fear that there were Communists working within the US government. Senator Joseph

McCarthy, a politician from Wisconsin, said that he knew of Communists working in the US State Department

(the part of the government responsible for foreign policy). Such was the fear at the time, many people believed

McCarthy, and the period became known as McCarthyism.

During the period, a number of playwrights and Hollywood figures were called in front of the House Un-

American Activities Commission, where they were asked to give the names of Communists in Hollywood. They

would often do this in order to avoid being seen as anti-American. Miller wrote "The Crucible" because he

thought that McCarthyism was a 'witch hunt'. Ironically, because Miller wrote "The Crucible" he came to the

attention of the House Un-American Activities Commission and was denied a passport to go and watch the

opening of the play in London in 1954.

Plot Summary

Act I

The play is set in Salem, a Puritan town in Massachusetts in the 1690s. A group of young girls go into the woods

to dance, along with a Barbadian (from Barbados) slave called Tituba. The girls are discovered dancing by the

Reverend Parris. The girls know that this will be frowned upon by the strict Puritans and are extremely

frightened. Reverend Parris's daughter, Betty, falls into a coma upon being discovered. Back at the Parris's

house, a number of the village have all come to see Betty, and the Putnams, a local couple suggest that

witchcraft may have been involved. This causes a great deal of fear, and Parris decides to send for Reverend

Hale, a 'witchfinder' from a nearby area.

While they are waiting for Hale to arrive, Parris asks Abigail Williams, who is his niece and the leader of the

girls, what happened in the woods, although Abigail says only that they were dancing. Abigail perhaps realises

what they are being accused of, and tells the other girls not to admit to anything other than dancing. John

Proctor, a farmer in Salem comes to talk to Abigail alone. Abigail used to be a domestic servant for John and his

wife, although left after her and John had an affair. Abigail clearly still has feelings for John, although John does

not reciprocate (feel the same way back) and tells her to be careful what she starts in the village, and to stop

her childish behaviour.

Betty Parris wakes out of her coma and starts screaming. As the townspeople begin to crowd around her,

arguments break out between the figures in the town. The arguments are about various deep-rooted social

tensions between leading villagers (particularly between the Putnams and Parris), thus suggesting that Salem is

a town that is very much divided. Reverend Hale arrives and questions Betty and then Abigail before 3

demanding to speak to Tituba. Under the pressure of his interrogation, Tituba confessing to having 'cavorted'

with the devil, and begins to name other people in the village who have done the same. Abigail and Betty both

join in these accusations, and the sense of hysteria grows and grows in front of the townspeople as more names

are given. The Act ends on this dramatic climax, as the situation in the village turns from one hearsay (rumour)

to one in which the devil appears to be communicating with a number of people, and in which accusations have

begun to fly.

Act II

Act II begins in the relative calm of John Proctor's house, where he is eating dinner with his wife, Elizabeth. It

emerges that there are now fourteen people that have been arrested by the court. Proctor is upset by the

hypocrisy of forcing people to confess in order to avoid hanging. He tells Elizabeth that Abigail told him that the

dancing had nothing to do with witchcraft. Elizabeth, initially encouraged by this information, soon realises it

meant that John and Abigail were alone together, and suspects that the affair between the two may not have

ended. John accuses Elizabeth of placing him constantly on trial, whereas Elizabeth says that John is judging

himself. This foreshadows the later trial of John Proctor.

Mary Warren (the Proctor's servant - the replacement for Abigail) returns home, she gives Elizabeth a 'poppet'

(a small doll) that she sewed while she was in court. John forbids Mary from attending court any more,

although Mary seems to be more aware of her own power within Salem, and tells John and Elizabeth that

Abigail accused Elizabeth in the court, but Mary defended her. Elizabeth is convinced that Abigail wants

Elizabeth dead in order to have John.

Reverend Hale visits the Proctors as part of his investigation into those the court has accused. He questions the

Proctors about why they have not attended church recently, and John Proctor states it is because he disagrees

with Reverend Parris's teachings. Hale asks Proctor to recite the Ten Commandments. Proctor goes through

them all, but can only remember nine. Elizabeth has to remind him of the tenth - 'Thou Shalt not Commit

Adultery'.

Proctor tells Hale that Abigail is a fraud, and that the only reason those in jail confessed was to save their lives.

At this point, Francis Nurse and Giles Corey burst in, saying that their wives have been arrested. Shortly after,

Cheever and Herrick (the town marshalls) come to arrest Elizabeth. This is a shock, even to Hale. Cheever tells

the Proctors that Abigail Williams had a fit at dinner, and found a sewing needle stuck in her belly. The poppet

that Mary gave to Elizabeth has a needle in the same place, and it appears that Elizabeth has used witchcraft to

attack Abigail. She is taken away, despite Mary saying that she made the poppet herself. Proctor resolves to

confess his affair with Abigail in order to secure Elizabeth's release.

Act III

Act III begins with the court in session. Giles Corey interrupts proceedings to accuse Putnam of using

accusations of witchcraft for his own personal profit. Proctor also arrives with Mary Warren to accuse Abigail

of lying. Judge Danforth orders that discussions take place in the vestry room (a room next to the court, but

outside of its authority). In the vestry, Proctor finds out that Elizabeth is pregnant, and therefore will not be

executed until after the child is born (since Puritan society regaded it as a sin to kill a pregnant woman). He

decides to carry on with his arguments anyway, showing that he didn't just care about Elizabeth, but the trials

as a whole. Proctor and Corey give Danforth a petition signed by ninety-one farmers, testifying to the good 4

character of Elizabeth Proctor, Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse. Parris demands that they all be arrested for

challenging the work of the court. Hale, in a first indication that he is losing faith in the proceedings, angrily

asks Parris why every defence is an attack on the court.

Danforth summons Putnam into the room, where Corey repeats his allegation that Putnam told his daughter to

accuse George Jacobs so that Putnam could buy the land when Jacobs was hanged. Corey says that he has a

witness, although refuses to give the name of the witness because he fears the consequences for the man

(either from Putnam, Danforth, or both). Danforth arrests Corey for contempt of court.

The girls are now brought into the room, where Mary Warren accuses Abigail of telling lies. However, the girls

soon say that Mary Warren is bewitching them, and when Mary Warren is told to pretend to faint, to prove how

easy it is, she can't. Proctor angrily steps in and accuses Abigail of being a 'whore'. He confesses his affair to the

court. Abigail denies this. In order to settle the debate, Danforth sends for Elizabeth. When she enters, Danforth

orders John and Abigail to turn their backs, and asks Elizabeth about why she sacked Abigail from their service.

Elizabeth denies that John and Abigail had an affair, determined to protect her husband's reputation. As

Elizabeth is led away, John calls out and tells her that he has already confessed.

The girls begin crying that Mary Warren is a witch. The hysteria in the room grows to a crescendo (climax)

before Mary Warren turns on John and accuses him of being a witch. John is arrested, and taken away. He

violenty denounces the court, as does Reverend Hale, who storms out, losing all respect for what is going on.

Act IV

Act IV begins months later than the end of Act III. Reverend Hale has returned to Salem to plead with those

waiting to be executed that they should confess. Abigail has fled the village, after stealing money from Reverend

Parris. Hale pleads with Danforth to stop the executions, although Danforth claims that this would be an

injustice to those that have already been hanged. The court decides to ask Elizabeth to plead with John Proctor

to confess.

Elizabeth is left alone with John, where she tells him about the fate of people within the town. Corey refused to

say whether he was guilty or not guilty to avoid a trial. He feared that if he did, he would be hanged, and

Putnam would get his land. The court tortured Corey by placing large rocks on him. Despite the torture, he still

refused to put in a plea, and was crushed to death (although his land passed to his sons). Proctor says that he

has not confessed so far because he wants the accusers to feel guilty when they see him die. Eventually, he

decides to confess.

Danforth hands Proctor a pen and some ink, and tells him that his confession will be hung publicly. Danforth

asks him to denounce others in his confession, and Proctor refuses to do this. Proctor eventually signs the

confession, but snatches it out of Danforth's hands. After arguing with Danforth, he rips his confession in two.

At this point, he is taken away to be hanged with the other prisoners. Hale pleads with Elizabeth to get John to

change his mind, but she only says that John is doing what he believes to be right.

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Context & Performance

Miller published ‘The Crucible’ in 1953.

The timing is significant as during the 1950s, America were recovering from WWII and due to conflicting ideologies, the USA was at war with USSR; this was known as ‘The Cold War’. Americans were fearful that Russia would take over and impose their communist way of life on them.

At the time, Joseph McCarthy became responsible for the anti-communist feeling within the country and he claimed to have a ‘list’ of communists within the state department. Although the list was never seen, this sparked media frenzy, public panic and in the end the formation of the HUAC (The House Committee on Un-American Activities), which gave him the power and responsibility to ‘rid America of communism’.

The HUAC (led by McCarthy) interviewed all citizens who were deemed or accused to be involved in communist or anti-American activities. Those who were accused often lost their jobs, homes and families. McCarthyism furthered the panic and hysteria within the country and eventually society became paranoid, making false accusations to avoid being tainted themselves. People in society conformed to avoid any chance of accusations, which were based on rumour and not evidence. Arthur Miller himself was accused, after writing the play ‘The Crucible’.

America’s McCarthyism parallels Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 when the village was tormented by the hysteria fuelled witch trials. At this time, Salem was a strictly puritan society where residents lived a religious life and were constantly afraid that they would not be saved by God. However, the witch trials of Salem eventually fizzled out after residents became disenchanted by the number of accusations and deaths (19 hanged, 1 pressed and many imprisoned).

Genre

Allegory – symbolic for the comparison of 1950s McCarthyism and 1692’s witch trials Tragedy – false accusations, constant anxiety and the personal tragedies of John and Elizabeth Proctor Cathartic – Miller intends to help his audience to get through and overcome times of deep emotion,

paranoia and hysteria (in this case, McCarthyism) Realistic ‘Cup n’ Saucer’ drama – Miller’s stage directions and dialogue ensure the characters behave as

though real, and in real life situations

Setting

‘The Crucible’ is set in Salem, Massachusetts in the late C17th. This was a time when early English settlers arrived in America and were attempting to create their communities in a foreign land. The setting is uncomfortable, with an unfriendly atmosphere.

Put it in context:

Self-made wooden houses North Atlantic winds attacking your home and piercing the man-made structures you live in You have a firm belief that God has your destiny planned and he alone can ‘save you’ But you know that most of the seeds you plant won’t grow in the climate and conditions Winter is fast approaching and there is not enough food for all of you to avoid starvation You constantly worry that the natives you’ve stolen your land from will attack you and your family You worry that God won’t choose you to be saved and he tests your faith with all of the harshness of life.

You constantly read the bible with some question and hesitation, but you daren’t sin and must remain ‘pure’

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Miller himself describes the settings as being unfriendly, through his stage directions: ‘narrow window’, ‘roof rafters are exposed’, ‘crowded parlour’, ‘low, dark and rather long room’, ‘the room is solemn, ever forbidding’ and ‘A cell…a high barred window…a great heavy door’. The setting represents the simplicity and beliefs of the people in Salem society.

Through the setting and context of his play, Miller presents Salem as a Theocracy in which a God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, and so God's laws are being interpreted by the ecclesiastical authorities – in this instance, the reverend holds power and the land owners try to sway it.

Style

The style means the way in which something is written. Miller uses a combination of structure; prose inserts; dialogue/ direct speech and ‘reported speech’ to create a realistic story of fear and corruption, where gossip fuels hysteria, paranoia and control.

The play is organised/ structured in to 4 Acts, each with its own setting and intention:

1 The Accusations (Parris’ home, village) To shock the audience2 The Proctors (Proctor home) To provide human tragedy and relationship

3 The Trials (The court in the village) To give an analysis f the role of justice in the village, and the sense of disbelief and pity which comes to a dramatic climax

4 The Executions (Jail cell)

Miller uses prose inserts to give a commentary on his characters’ history and this is further conveyed through the detailed stage directions. This detail is important as he expects it to be read as well as seen, and he must make sure that in a time of fear and paranoia, the play is about Salem 1692 and not America 1953.

Miller also adapts the device of Chorus from the Greek tragedies. A ‘chorus’ is a group of people who are commenting on the actions, decisions and beliefs within the play. Miller uses the collective girls (chanting, accusations and supposed visions) as a chorus to deliver Miller’s view on 1950s America.

Tone

The tone is the mood and atmosphere created within a text. In ‘The Crucible’ the tone changes as each character enters and exits, and in each new Act or scene has a different tone, created through imagery, stage directions and dialogue.

Act 1 Tone: blame, accusatory, aggression and at the end – conflict.

Atmosphere: revelation and sense of relief (the return to God and explanations for their misfortunes). At the end there is a sense of hysteria and ecstasy on stage, whilst the audience feels uneasy.

Act 2 Tone: solemnly, discontentment when we meet Elizabeth. But dignified as the scene ends and Elizabeth accepts fate.

Atmosphere: suspicious, fraught, tense, uncomfortable, fiery

Act 3 & 4

Tone: immoral, hypocritical, inspired Atmosphere: it becomes more intense and oppressive as Salem’s hypocrisy and duplicity is revealed

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Language

Miller captures a realistic C17th east coast America, with colloquial and realistic lexis such as ‘Goody’ and language of the court, e.g. ‘clerk of the court’, ‘Marshal’, ‘warrant’, ‘charged’ and ‘confession’.

Miller also creates a realism through the use of direct speech (one to one) and reported speech (gossip), to reflect the 1950s era and make the audience more inclined to believe the story as it is presented. The gossip reveals much of what happens in the village and is a dramatic device which creates the effect of progressing the plot and revealing character.

Metaphor (something representing additional ideas and events) reveals attitudes in Salem, character’s views and character traits. For example, Parris declares early on “these stiff neck people” which reveals that he sees the village as being strict and unforgiving.

The play is also a Parable; it is a moral tale about what will happen when gossip and hysteria are allowed to run riot and all logic is lost.

We also see Miller use Dramatic Irony to as a literary device to create the dramatic effect of character revelation, plot progression, mood and atmosphere. For example, in Act 1 Abigail Williams reveals to Proctor that Betty “took fright is all”. This reveals to the audience that the claims of witchcraft are false and this makes the events that unfold all the more dramatic and tragic to behold. It intensifies the fear and corruption.

Quotations & Analysis

Act 1

We see an all-encompassing fear reside over Salem as an atmosphere of witchery grows and many characters, including Parris, begin to despair for their reputations and sense of power/control. Some key quotes:

Parris: “What did you do with her in the forest?” Abigail: “We never conjured spirits” – here Abby claims that it has all been ‘sport’ and the witchcraft is not real

Mary: “What’ll we do? The village is out! They’ll be callin’ us witches Abby!” Mercy: “She means to tell” Mary: We’ve got to tell!” - Mercy reveals her fear that the village will find out and their reputations will be damaged

Abigail: “Now look you. All of you. We danced. And Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam’s dead sisters. And that is all. And mark this. Let either you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you. And you know I can do it.”- Abigail’s fear that the truth would damage her chances with Proctor and blush her name make her wild and aggressive. She manipulates the other girls with threats of violence. This strengthens her position in the group, as reputations are vital in securing jobs and husbands. The violence is made possible when she goes on to reveal her parents death, evoking sympathy and foreshadowing the deaths to come.

Proctor: “Abby that’s a wild thing to say” Abigail: “ A wild thing may say wild things”- Abigail is likened to an animal, showing passion and sexual heat/desire

Abigail: “I never knew these lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men!” - The town itself is hypocritical, judgmental and false.

Abigail: “I have a sense for heat, John, and yours has drawn me to my window, and I have seen you looking up, burning in your loneliness. Do you tell me you never looked up at my window? Proctor: “I may have looked up”. - The windows show Abigail and Proctor without frames, enclosed by the society around them. But as

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they look at each other through the same window – the boundaries of the town and society dissolve, leaving just their desire. Proctor’s guilt doesn’t let the frames disappear.

Proctor: “I’ll cut off my hand before I reach for you again” - He will never sin/ stray again.

Act 2

This takes place in Proctor’s house and the feeling of being trapped continues. There is great tension.

Proctor: “You forget nothin’ and forgive nothin”- reveals character and relationship

Proctor: “Learn charity woman”- ironic as Elizabeth is the most moral and true character within the play. This reveals that John is projecting his own guilt on to Elizabeth.

Proctor: “..an everlasting funeral marches round your heart.”- symbolic/ metaphoric for the darkness within the play and the damage within their relationship

Proctor: “..but I wilted, and, like a Christian, I confessed. Confessed!”- The confession is expected but Proctor sees it as a weakness, admitting that he has lost face.

Proctor: ”and judge me not”- Proctor is fearful of God’s judgment, and the fear that the moral Elizabeth will see through him

Elizabeth: “I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you. I never thought you but a good man, John – (with a smile) – only somewhat bewildered.” - Elizabeth reveals her own nature and that there is still a sense of caring between them. She reveals the truth – that John judges himself and merely projects his guilt upon Elizabeth.

Proctor: (hesitating and with deep hatred of himself) “Her saintliness is done with”… Proctor: “My wife will never die for me”.- John’s guilt drives him to become a religious crusader, and to stop Abby and her accusations.

Act 3

A vital moment; we meet Judge Danforth for the first time, and in a “solemn” setting. There is a wealth of emotion within this act and great oppression. Some key quotes:

Giles: “Thomas Putnam is reaching for land!”… “Why, I – I cannot give you his name.”- dramatic device to reveal the theme of greed and corruption. Hypocrisy is evident.

Proctor: “I have known her, Sir. I have known her.” - Proctor’s confession in a bid to stop the hysteria rising out of false accusations. It costs him a great deal and symbolises his loyalty to Elizabeth.

Danforth: “You deny every scrap and tittle of this?”- Danforth’s shock and fear at Abigail’s sin is clear. He cannot afford for Abby to be proven as a whore, when he has executed so many based on her word.

Proctor: “..my wife cannot lie. I have paid much to learn it, sir.”- dramatic device to reveal character and motivations. Proctor has deep respect and faith in his wife to be true. He underestimates her love for him; enough to lie.

Danforth: “Did he indeed turn from you?”- Danforth seeks clarification from Elizabeth with this interrogative utterance. He intends to push Elizabeth to declare the truth, outland, where no mistake can be made.

Elizabeth: (faintly) “No, sir.”- great loyalty and love is demonstrated here as Elizabeth crosses her own sense of morality to protect her husband. It costs her her life, and soon Proctor’s too.

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Hale: “Excellency, it is a natural lie to tell”- Hale’s mistrust and disillusionment with the court becomes evident. He is disgusted by the lack of logical thinking and the belief of one ‘girl’.

Abigail: “Why do you come , yellow bird?”- Abigail’s flouting of the maxim of quality here provokes a new hysteria within the court and fear is presented in a new, dramatic way. Mary is forced to back down and Abigail’s reputation is saved once again.

Mary: “You’re the devil’s man!”- with no choice left but to shift the blame, Mary turns her attention to Proctor and uses him as a scapegoat, accusing him of being the devil’s man and instigating the witchcraft. This is not what Abigail planned for originally and her own meddling hysteria has gone awry.

Proctor: “I say – I say – God is dead!”- Proctor’s faith is tested. His disbelief in the lack of logical thinking; disgust at the lies told and blindness of the court, and his own guilt crush him.

Act 4

The climax of the play, set in a ‘dark’ place and the jails of Salem. The tone is solemn, grave and, for a brief instance, passionate. Some key quotes:

Parris: “..but the rumour here speaks rebellion in Andover” - The hypocrisy of the church and courts is being revealed. The lack of logic and investigation is not being tolerated and rebellion threatens in Salem. The fear loses its edge as the deaths become so frequent they are meaningless.

Hale: “You must pardon them. They will not budge”- Hale’s character arc is complete. He is willing to lie and spin truths to save their lives as he sees the ridiculous hypocrisy within the theocracy.

Danforth: “Them that will not confess will hang [… ]While I speak God’s law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering. If your retaliation is fear, know this – I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolution of the statues […] bound by heaven to do.”- Danforth remains, as ever, faithful to the court and the power he channels through it. He is immune to the deaths he is ordering and will not risk losing face.

Proctor: “My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing’s spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before”.- John believes that because he has sinned, God has already decided not to save him and so another sin (to lie) will make no difference now. This demonstrates the broken character he has become and the desperation he has to be with his family.

Elizabeth: “I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery. […] It were a cold house I kept.”

- Elizabeth’s love and forgiveness becomes clear as she lays the blame for John’s sins at her own feet. Proctor: (with a cry of his whole soul): “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my

life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! […] I have given my soul; leave me my name!”- John declares he is unworthy and that his name is his only ‘good’ thing left of himself. This is what forces him to deny the confession and be hung. Miller finally shows us that Proctor is a sinner, he has betrayed his wife and that he now wishes to pay for his sins.

Elizabeth: (supporting herself against collapse, grips the bars of the window, and with a cry): He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!”- Elizabeth reveals her true love for Proctor in allowing him to save his soul. Her passionate desire and love

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for her husband is sacrificed so that he can die a ‘good man’ in the eyes of God and is freed from his guilt and responsibilities.

The irony is that had Proctor lived his and Elizabeth’s relationship would have been renewed. This is the real tragedy of the play. Proctor is a broken man at the end and Elizabeth is his rock.

Key Themes & Ideas

Intolerance/ accusation/ shame/ injustice/ misinterpretation/ hysteria/ fear/ revenge/ jealousy/ morality/ allegory/ parable/ suspicion/ religion/ relationships/ power/ loyalty/ faith/ identity/ guilt/

greed/ corruption and many more…

Hysteria

The real force that stalks through Salem is not witchcraft, but hysteria. Hysteria works as a catalyst to heighten

existing tensions in the town, and brings to the surface greed and vengeance that was bubbling under. The fear

that people held towards the devil (as well as the harsh and foreboding conditions of their surroundings) leads

them to believe implausible statements. The townspeople can therefore be divided into two – the cynical and

the naïve. The cynical people like Thomas Putnam and Abigail Williams use the hysteria for their own good,

while the naïve people trust them and going along with their accusations. The hysteria forces people to become

irrational, and to put their trust in the court at the expense of all else. Even John Proctor succumbs to anger

during his appearance in court, as the hysterical emotions run high. The audience is also taken in by this

irrationality. How can we see John Proctor as a hero for giving up his name (by confessing his affair) and also

see him as a hero for refusing to give up his name (by retracting his confession)? The hysteria in Salem changes

the moral boundaries not only of the town, but also of the audience.

Irrationality

The battle between the rational and the irrational can be seen as that between Danforth and Hale. Although

John Proctor is seen as the archetypal rational character, his ultimate decision to save his name, and therefore

die, shows that he values reputation over his life. Instead, Hale is the character we see that is willing to

challenge his own beliefs. Although he is one of the architects of the court and the hysteria, he denounces the

proceedings midway through. Hale also asks, “Is every defense an attack on the court?”, thus highlighting the

problem with Danforth’s form of justice.

Irrationality also causes danger for those that are different from others. Sarah Good is the first to be accused,

because she is homeless and unstable. Proctor’s accusation comes, in part, because he doesn’t attend the

Church in Salem. Miller’s ultimate message is that irrational beliefs are ones that are not challenged, and that

beliefs that cannot be challenged should be regarded as immoral. ‘The Crucible’ is an allegory of the Communist

Trials of the 1950s in the US, when an irrational fear of Communism led to people clamping down on beliefs

that were different from what was ‘normal’.

Conformity/Individuality

During times of mass hysteria and irrationality, it is dangerous to be an individual. Safety comes in being as

similar to everyone else as possible. Those who are accused are often found guilty based on their individuality.

Sarah Good, Giles Corey and John Proctor all come to the attention of the court because they are different in

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some way. In a time of mass hysteria, John Proctor’s greatest crime is not being hysterical. The power and

pressure of conformity is something that drives the actions of the court. Danforth highlights this when he says,

‘a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it’. This shows that Salem has polarised. On one

side are those fit in, and desire to conform, and on the other are those that do not. This also shows how mass

hysteria needs only a critical mass (the number required to adopt a new behaviour that the movement takes on

a life of its own) in order to become dangerous.

The Communist Trials of the 1950s famously attacked those who were regarded as being ‘different’ and

accusing them of being Communists. Miller is therefore making the crucial point that being different is not

necessarily a crime.

Reputation

Reputation is shown to be extremely important to the characters of Salem. John Proctor uses his reputation as a

way to attempt to stop the witch trials. Proctor feels that by admitting to his affair with Abigail, he will show the

court that she is a liar, even though this would cost John his own reputation in the town. However, at the end of

the play, he recants (takes back) his confession because he does not want his reputation to be tarnished.

Although reputation is shown to be a good thing, Miller ultimately questions whether it is worth dying for.

Reputation also crops up in other ways in the play. There is a sense of anticipation as the town waits for

Reverend Hale to arrive, as his reputation is one of being fiercely successful at finding evidence of witchcraft.

Similarly, when Hale begins to doubt the validity of the court, it is because of Proctor’s reputation that he

believes him. Individuals within Salem regularly talk about their ‘character’. Reputation can also be a bad thing

within Salem, as it can very easily turn into prejudice.

Morality

Morality runs throughout ‘The Crucible’. In many respects, morality is told through the technique of irony, in

that those who often speak most of morality are those who are the least moral. The best example of this is

Danforth. Danforth regularly talks of the importance of justice and fairness, and yet when he finds out that

Abigail’s testimony was false, he refuses to continue hanging those who have been found guilty. Immorality,

therefore is closely linked with injustice. The lack of justice that comes from the court is highly ironic, and

Miller is making a clear comment on the Communist Trials, and their legitimacy.

Morality is also a key theme because of the link with Puritanism. Puritans believed that only through dedication

and work could they get to God, and so all leisure activities were banned. This is why Parris was so shocked

when he found the girls dancing in the forest. The irony comes from the fact that it is because of the Puritans’

strong beliefs that they are so capable of immoral acts. Essentially, because Puritan law was so strict, it was not

possible to follow it all the time. This leads to feelings of guilt, as well as easy to prove accusations of

immorality.

Revenge

The two key characters for revenge are Abigail Williams and Thomas Putnam. One of the open questions of the

play is whether Abigail accuses Elizabeth Proctor to get revenge on John or Elizabeth. Although Elizabeth thinks

that the accusation is an attempt to remove a love rival, it could be the case that Abigail is punishing John for

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rejecting her. Thomas Putnam is less ambiguous – he is trying to get revenge of Rebecca Nurse, as well as

increase the land he holds within Salem. This is an ironic element of the play, as Salem is in the heart of a new,

unexplored country. Putnam could have increased his land by simply finding new places to inhabit, although he

chooses more Machiavellian tactics. Both Abigail and Thomas are ultimately concerned with power. Abigail

enjoys the power she holds over the court, even deliberately clashing with Danforth to demonstrate it. Putnam

is partially motivated by the fact that he couldn’t prevent Parris from being appointed minister in the village.

Both characters utilise the hysteria to increase their power, and ultimately, to get revenge. In the context of

revenge, it is ironic that Elizabeth ultimately condemns John to death by denying his affair. This shows that the

Proctors exist on a different moral plane to the rest of Salem.

The following ‘snapshots’ have been compiled by students.

Fear

The theme of fear is closely linked to that of hysteria. Fear fuels the events that unfold within ‘The Crucible’ as it is what motivates the characters. Fear first blossoms when Tituba ‘confesses’ and the girls begin to accuse others, out of fear that Tituba will lay the blame at their feet. The play’s conflict is motivated by the fear of accusation and sin. The town fears that the devil is in the village and the people look inward, attempting to hide their sins. It is this paranoid and suspicious society that fuels hysteria. The spiral of fear and hatred reaches its peak when justice is lost and the trials end.

The Putnams fear the loss of their final child, and a loss of influence. Proctor fears his reputation being ruined and losing face within the community. His fear is what allows

Abigail to run riot, as his unwillingness to confess his affair allows her name to be ‘good’ in the village. Parris fears his power and influence being lost. At the end of the play, after he is robbed and threatened,

he also fears for his life. Hale fears that he will be cast out of the church and of God’s good will, because he stands up to the

court. He also fears that nobody else will recognise the lies behind the accusation, and more innocent lives will be lost.

Elizabeth fears the loss of John’s good name and thus her own reputation within the village. She also fears the extent of Abigail’s power when she is taken in Act 2.

Mary and the girls all fear Abigail and her power over them and the town. They dare not cross her. Rebecca Nurse and Giles Corey are immune to fear; they remain strong true until the end. They die in

the knowledge that they are good and without sin of the devil or his lies.The other themes that fear links to are hysteria, power and witchcraft.

Morality

This is a key theme in the Crucible and is portrayed throughout the play and represented through Proctor, Elizabeth, Danforth, Hale and Abigail.

Both Proctor and Elizabeth have strong morals. Evidently, Proctor dies for his name, and Elizabeth lets him. Proctor is a man of pride and Elizabeth is firm in her morals and abides by them in every situation.

Danforth does not allow for any exceptions in the court, which is required in the court system. Even when Abigail tries to leave, he does not let her. Even though he is misled by the girl’s lies, he still remains open minded as to who is to blame.

Hale has strong morals at the start, but as the play progresses and he see Abigail for who she really is – a liar, he changes his morals, and quits the court as a result.

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Abigail is a mug. She has a lack of morals and lies to the court compulsively showing little to no compassion to anybody, not worrying about who she hurts or ultimately kills.

Giles Corey and Rebecca Nurse stand true against the injustice taking place and remain truly moral until the end, when their deaths signify the true innocence slaughtered.

Morality links: Pride, justice, love, loyalty.

Relationships

Proctor and Elizabeth’s relationship – Loving relationship that has encountered trust issues due to Proctor having an affair with Abigail. Proctor still loves Elizabeth however Elizabeth has lost compassion for him and is cold hearted.

Abigail on the other hand has a lust for him, she shows upfront her affection for him but relationship turns to a hating one and causes his downfall (femme fatale). Her lies and accusations were meant to only uproot Elizabeth, but instead lost John his life.

Mary and Proctor have a formal relationship, she being his servant, is subordinate to him. There is a sense of fear of Proctor from Mary until she is overwhelmed by Abigail and the girls.

Abigail’s accusations have power over the girls and they show a loyal relationship towards her, which is showed in their actions when they mimic her. A forced relationship.

Injustice

The idea of Injustice within ‘The Crucible’ links directly to its historical context and McCarthyism because many innocent people were accused of being against the American government so where blacklisted, which means that they were associated with communism. The Injustice focuses on Elizabeth and Proctor, initially Elizabeth is shown to be a good religious woman but the audience is thrown when she is arrested for witchcraft, the audience knows that this is not just because they know that Abigail’s accusation has an ulterior motive to get Proctor for herself. The women are unjustly accused of association with the Devil and this can show Injustice toward women in general as at the time they were seen as being a lower class than the men.

In Salem all the people who are accused are given the opportunity to save their own lives if they confess to witchcraft, this is unjust because all those who stand for their beliefs are killed. This led to hysteria throughout Salem as innocent were being hung which reflects the misguided power of religion, the court and safety in numbers.

Witchcraft

The theme of witchcraft is a central aspect of the play which was intended by miller to represent the accusations surrounding McCarthyism in the USA 1950’s. The essence of the theme is carried through the play by the characters strong sense of puritan religion. This also builds the context surrounding the witch trials in Salem 1692 as they were often narrow minded; believing that the devil was to blame for their troubles. The people in Salem are driven by their fear that god will not save them; hence their belief that there really are witches in the world. This key theme is introduced to the play immediately they jump to the conclusion that Betty bewitched them: “The rumour of witchcraft is all about”.

Power

Throughout Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ we can depict several underlying themes which Miller has purposefully imbedded within the story. Amongst these is the theme of power, which not only is displayed through power

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over characters or lack of power, but also the power of the court and religion itself. Abigail has power over most of the characters in the crucible, even the ones with a higher sense of authority – such as Danforth.

However due to Abigail’s devotion to Proctor we can see that he therefore has a sense of control over her, although this he doesn’t purposefully inflict.

Specifically in the scenes in court, we can see the extent of Abigail’s power over the girls, where they all follow in Abigail’s steps. She uses this to take control of Mary when she attempts to out the truth about Abigail to the court. Due to Danforth’s high authority in court and the court’s overall power of the community we can see that he is the character which has the overall say on anything in court.

The amount of power tends to decide the fate of the characters – such as Abigail having a high extent of power and therefore is believed throughout much of the play. Not only do the characters have power over each other, but the idea and devotion to Religion and the court has set rules which controls the actions of the characters.

Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy in ‘The Crucible’ derives primarily from the church and its puritanical values. Theocracy seen in ‘The Crucible’ demands ‘honesty’ but hold members of society in a compromising position where they have no other choice but to confess to debauchery even if it is not actually true. Many characters within the play, claim to be good Christians but many are guilty of lying, in many cases to save their own life.

Those in power profess to be upholding the tenets of society and impose exacting standards. However, in reality, they demonstrate superficial values as they recite the Bible throughout and claim to live their lives by the church but fail as there is an absence of compassion, forgiveness and humanity. Characters such as Parris are deemed to be the most hypocritical because he disguises his pride and uses Christian ideals to thinly veil his contempt for Proctor under the crusade of religious morality.

Symbolism

Crucible

A crucible is a melting pot for metal. It allows impurities to be extracted under immense heat and pressures. It is symbolic, as it demonstrates that rather than look to the strict rules and problems within society, they look to pin the blame on external factors such as the supernatural/ the devil or communism.

So what is melting? Well, in Miller’s eyes society was melting, as the fear of accusation and persecution became real through hysteria.

Morality

The conflict between a man’s raw deeds and the concept of himself; Miller suggests that one’s conscience is organic and your sense of morality is governed by the place, culture and time in which you live. Miller uses morality to symbolises the corruption that power and greed can cause. In a time where the reverend is in charge of the morals in town, and the reverend Parris is not moral himself mirrors the actions of Joseph McCarthy and the HUAC.

Furthermore, it presents the idea that a theocracy is potentially an explosive situation which sparks rebellion and hysteria through hypocrisy.

Light

Morality is also represented by light throughout the play. Light is also used to set the mood / tone of each act.

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Act 1: the morning sun streams and a candle still burns. This demonstrates a revelation or change; the 2 lights indicate the need for illumination metaphorically (a learning). There are also religious connotations – the sun/ candles being symbolic for hope/ life and God.

Act 2: almost dark, a fire in the fire place. This demonstrates that there is an enclosed, unwelcoming atmosphere that needs light being injected. However, a fire was still lit and this signifies there is still love within – the warmth is spreading, slowly (as Elizabeth’s icy demeanour towards Proctor melts as the play progresses).

Act 3: sunlight pouring through, 2 high windows in the back wall. This implies that in this scene, in the court and church, we can expect justice. We’re hopeful for it, in fact; we have faith that it will be given. The sun represents the physical presence of God and we expect Abby to be brought to justice – but this is gradually eroded, as Danforth refuses to accept Proctor and Mary, and Elizabeth lies. The audience realise that – just like the accusations in act 1 – the symbol of light proves false.

Act 4: place is in darkness except for the moonlight seeping through the bars. This creates an eerie and anxious atmosphere. Being night time creates the typical expectation of when evil is done, and the moonlight is trapped behind bars. However, the ‘seeping’ indicates that there is still hope that justice will prevail – there is a chance. The bars indicate that the chance of justice will be restricted and foreshadows the tragic ending to come.

Hathorne says ‘The sun is still up’ and in this moment Miller offers the audience a dash of hope still being left. There may still be some hope, in a different form. As the sun rises, Proctor confesses and we see a chance for a ‘happy ending’ but hope is dashed as he rips up his confession to absolve his sins.

We see a final symbolic happiness when ‘the new sun is pouring in upon her face’ and Elizabeth reveals to the audience that although tragic, Proctor is spiritually saved and has forgiven himself; he has paid his penance.

Birds and Other Animals

Betty is said to have flown “I hear she flies”, “starts for the window” which is taken as a sign of witchcraft and the devil. This motivates Parris to send for Hale to come and investigate.

Abigail pretends to see a yellow bird in the court, to represent Mary’s spirit. She claims its ‘wings spreading’ and that it has ‘claws’. Abigail implies that she and the girls are prey and need protecting from this danger.

At the end, Proctor is described as ‘sits like some great bird’ to signify his strength, pride and his desire for freedom. This is also symbolic of Salem’s desire to be free from the trials and the injustice within them. The village desires freedom from hypocrisy, sacrifice and a society ruled by a religion.

Cheever notes that “many cows wandering the high road” which could be symbolic, implying that eventually nature with overcome man’s conventions and balance will be restored again.

In Act 2, Elizabeth describes her interaction with the rabbit. She tells John the “rabbit walked in … like she came to visit”. This account foreshadows the sacrifices to come:- John’s confession- Elizabeth’s lie- John’s death

Key Quotes

“I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian

women and their covenanted men!” (Abigail, Act I) 

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This highlights the irony within Salem that the people who claim morality are actually acting in the least moral

way. Abigail is here saying that she learnt her immoral (‘lying’) actions from the people of Salem. Not only does

this indicate the immorality in Salem, it also sets the scene that Salem is a town with secrets below the surface.

Abigail is hinting that she has perhaps had immoral interactions with different people within the village. This

quote also serves as foreshadowing, because the ‘lying’ that takes place in the court does so by ‘Christian men’.

“I danced for the Devil; I saw him, I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good

with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!” (Abigail, Act I) 

The most important part of this quote is the punctuation, which highlights the sense of hysteria at the end of

Act I. Abigail uses short sentences, and Miller clearly intended them to be shouted (hence his use of exclamation

marks). The sentences keep getting shorter, and this increases the rhythm of the speech, which is a common

way to create tension. As well as the growing speed of the sentences, Abigail also repeats ‘with the devil’ three

times. This means that the phrases take on the form of a chant. When the other girls begin to join in, they follow

the chant. This rhythm illustrates the mass hysteria and the conformity – it is easy to go along with and it

causes panic.

“You must understand sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be

no road between.”(Danforth, Act III) 

This quote is important in highlighting the pressure to conform that existed at the time. Despite the fact that

Danforth is supposed to be an impartial (neutral) judge, he clearly regards anyone defending themselves as

attacking him personally, and the court more generally. Hale asks him whether every defense is an attack on

the court, thus highlighting the split between the two men. The division of Salem society into ‘with’ the court or

‘against it’ shows that Salem has become fully polarised, and that the choice is essentially between conformity

or death.

”I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!” (Hale, Act III) 

This is perhaps the most important part of Act III. Although John Proctor goes to the court with Mary Warren to

attempt to bring a halt to proceedings, he ends up being on trial himself. Hale can’t believe that Proctor is being

found guilty of witchcraft, recognising him as a fellow rational ally. This indicates the battle between the

rational and the irrational. Hale is a strong believer in logic and learning, where Danforth believes in tradition

and conformity. The break between the two indicates the complete collapse of the legitimacy of the court.

“Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies!

Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang!” (John Proctor, Act IV) 

This quote falls at the end of Act IV, and is perhaps the most important quote in the play. Here, John Proctor

recants his confession, and states that he would rather die than have his children and wife seem him as

someone who betrayed his principles and his friends. Proctor says that those who hanged are noble, because

they neither confessed nor did they accuse others. The fact that Proctor references ‘dust’ is biblical language.

‘Ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ is used in burial services, and references a quote from Genesis (3:19) "Dust thou

art, and unto dust thou shalt return". This quote highlights the insignificance of man, which juxtaposes with

Proctor’s sense of empowerment at this point.

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Key CharactersJohn Proctor: Proctor is the main protagonist within Miller’s ‘The Crucible’. He is a strong, powerful and committed Christian who is filled with guilt after his affair with Abigail Williams. Because of this, JP is trying to make amends with his wife Elizabeth Proctor. However, this turns out to be his mistake, as the fear and hesitation to reveal the truth is ultimately his downfall.

JP openly criticises the justice system within the village and he doubts the purity of reverend Parris, and his plight within the play becomes symbolic for the village as a whole.

In the final scenes of ‘The Crucible’ we see JP as he truly is; he condemns himself by confessing his lie and pays the ultimate price for his sin.

The audience attempts to justify Proctor’s affair and see him as a ‘good’ character. Miller is able to gain sympathy for Proctor, as the audience can recognise parts of themselves within him.

Key Words to describe: Loyal, Family man, Powerful, Religious, Intellectual, Stern, Strong Morale.

Catalytic moments and Key actions: - Refuses to sign confession as he does not want his name marked, and to symbolise his loyalty to himself. - Attempt to stop Cheever taking his wife, shows his love for her and trust. - Convinces Mary to confess the girls lying, however she gives in to Abigail. - Tells the court that Elizabeth will never lie, symbolising his utmost love for her and reflecting her stoic figure. - Tells audience he had the affair, giving in to having his name destroyed so he could save Elizabeth.

Key Ideas: Relationships/ Loyalty/ Hysteria/ Religion/ Pride/ Guilt/ Fear/

Function or role within the play: Main Character in the play – Symbolises those who were wrongly accused during McCarthyism, not giving in to their attacks. Shows that no amount of power you have can stop peril when mass accused.

Key Quotes/ stage directions: “(angered – at himself as well) You’ll speak nothin’ of Elizabeth!”- "I'll plead my honesty no more, Elizabeth...No more! I should have roared you down when first you told me your suspicion.- "Oh, Elizabeth, your justice would freeze beer!"- "Spare me! You forget nothin' and forgive nothin'.- “Why, I – I would free my wife, sir”- “My wife pregnant!”- “(trembling, his life collapsing about him): I have known her, sir. I have known her.”- “I have made a bell of my honour! I have rung the doom of my good name – you will believe me, Mr Danforth! My wife is innocent, except she knew a whore when she saw one!”- “In her life sir, she have never lied”- “Elizabeth, tell the truth!”- “I say – God is dead!”- “(laughs insanely, then): A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth!...we will burn together!”- “You are pulling Heaven down and raising up a whore!”- ‘(His wrists are chained. He is another man, bearded, filthy, his eyes misty as though webs had overgrown them. He halts inside the doorway, his eye caught by the sight of Elizabeth. The emotion flowing between them prevents anyone from speaking for an instant).’

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- “(with great force of will, but not quite looking at her): I have been thinking I would confess to them, Elizabeth.”- “(for the first time he turns directly to her.) I would have your forgiveness, Elizabeth.”- ‘(He moves as an animal, and a fury is riding in him, a tantalized search)’- “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”

Elizabeth Proctor: Proctor’s wife Elizabeth is first introduced in Act 2 of ‘The Crucible’.

Elizabeth and John’s relationship is shown to be strained in Act 2 and this alters her behaviour and emotion. Elizabeth is a CHARACTER who arcs over time and changes from a stoic woman to one of great passion and strength when, in the final scenes, she counsels John with humble wisdom and shows an understanding for his desires to pay penance and cleanse his sins.

Elizabeth closes the play with the words “He have his goodness now” demonstrating her love for John, by placing his need above her own wish to have him live.

Importantly, Elizabeth is Abigail Williams’ opposite. She is timid and unsure until her one desire (John) is taken away from her. Only then does she realise her own wants and needs.

Key Words to describe: Loyal, gentle, devout, reserved, restrained, careful, calm, solemn, humble, virtuous, honest, moral, dependable, motherly, determined, good and stoic. Later on, as the play reaches its conclusion, we see Elizabeth become passionate and selfless.

Catalytic moments and Key actions:

Kicks Abigail out of the house when she suspects John of adultery Encourages John to reveal Abigail’s deceitful accusations Gets arrested for witchcraft Pregnancy is revealed (can’t be hung) Lies in-front of the court to save Proctor Helps Proctor forgive himself in the end

Key Ideas: Relationships/ Loyalty/ Religion/ Truth/ Conscience/ Morality/ Religion/ Identity/

Function and role within the play:- Proctor’s rock – he turns to her to see what he should do. - Honesty – keeps the plot grounded.- Hope – revelation of pregnancy.

Key quotes/ Stage directions: - ‘(Elizabeth is head softly singing to the children)’- ‘(with a smile to keep her dignity)’- ‘Abigail brings the other girls into court, and where she walks the crowd will part like the sea for Israel.’- ‘You cannot keep it, John.’- ‘I do not judge you.’ - ‘Why-! The girl is murder! She must be ripped out of the world!’- ‘He have his goodness now, god forbid I take it from him’- ‘Adultery, John’- ‘I am not your judge, I cannot be’- ‘(now pouring out her heart)’

Abigail Williams: Abigail Williams is Reverend Parris’ orphaned 17 year old niece. As a child, she witnessed her parent’s murder at the hands of the native Indians and so Parris has reluctantly taken her in. Abigail is

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without parental guidance and is somewhat of an outcast; she attempts to be respectful to Parris but ultimately becomes confrontational. She merely tolerates the other girls and threatens them with violence in order to gain control. Abigail previously worked as the Proctor’s servant, until Elizabeth put her out after her affair with John Proctor.

John Proctor is Abigail’s desire. He symbolises her need for attention and the desire to be loved. She is obsessive about him and casts a spell to make Proctor love her, when dancing with the other girls and Tituba.

Tituba’s powerful Christian confession and ‘return to god’ is the catalyst for Abigail – a chance for control, power and respect. Thus showing that Abigail is the effect of oppression within the puritan society and she shows that eventually something has to give.

Abigail has never known love and in some ways this allows the audience to feel somewhat sympathetic towards her desire for Proctor’s love. But Miller himself doesn’t seem to care for Abigail, stating early on in the stage directions: “Endless capacity for dissembling” and writes her as someone constantly trying to manipulate others (Parris, girls, Proctor and court). Importantly, Abigail is the complete opposite to Elizabeth Proctor’s character.

Key Words to describe: frightening, mean, controlling, defiant, strong, determined, manipulative, jealous, deceitful, devious, sly, whore, powerful, motivated, lustful, attention-seeking.

Catalytic moments and Key actions: - Proctors' servant before Elizabeth fired her for having an affair with John- Dances with Tituba and the other girls (seen by Parris)- False accusations against other women after Tituba’s ‘confession’- Accuses Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft and attempting to kill her- Deceives the court about Mary Warren and stops her deposition being taken seriously- Tries to accuse Hale’s wife of witchcraft- Steals Parris’ money and runs away with Mercy- Later found to be a prostitute

Key Ideas: Hysteria/ Morality/ Metaphor/ Femme Fatale/ Deceit/ Injustice/ Theology and its weaknesses/ Power/ Control/ Desire/ Fear/

Function and role within the play:- Catalyst for the trials and accusations- Represents the hysteria and false accusation at the time of Salem and McCarthyism (allegory)- Symbolic of man’s weakness and sin

Key quotes/ Stage directions: - “Uncle the rumour of witchcraft is all about; I think you’d best go down and deny it yourself”.- “There be no blush about my name”- “It’s a bitter woman, a lying, snivelling, woman and I will not work for such a woman!”- “I will not black my face for any of them!”- “(in a temper) My name is good about the village!”- “she took fright is all”- “Give me a word John, a soft word”- “I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and the covenanted men!”- “She made me do it!”- ‘Abigail rises, staring as though inspired, and cries out “I want to open myself… I want the light of God…”- “(in an open threat): Let you beware, Mr Danforth. Think you be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits?”- “(Looking about in the air, clasping her arms about her as though cold): I –I know not. A wind, a cold wind,

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has come (her eyes fall on Mary Warren)”- “(Crying to Heaven) Oh, heavenly father, take away this shadow- “Why -? (She gulps) why do you come yellow bird?”

Reverend Hale: Reverend Hale comes to Salem after receiving Reverend Parris’ request. He’s from a neighbouring town (Beverley) and is known to be an expert on witchcraft. Hale’s arrival is both good and bad; it is good because he may see through the false accusations to the truth, but it is bad because he may see it as merely an opportunity to strengthen his name and have his knowledge and expertise in deciphering signs of witchcraft acknowledged. Unfortunately, the villagers simply see his arrival as confirmation of the devil being in Salem and their worst fears.

Hale initially extracts Tituba’s ‘confession’ which is his ambition (and really she’s given little choice, being presented with torture and death). This action is the catalyst to the story as from here the false accusations begin and Judge Danforth is summoned to conduct the witch trials.

As the play progresses, Hale’s character changes; he becomes disillusioned by the process and tries to help Proctor and other prisoners to save their lives with false confessions. This is proof of the injustice and failure of the theocracy in which they live. The executions are clearly immoral and corrupt.

In the final scene, Hale shouts to Elizabeth and pleads with her to save John Proctor. This shows Hale’s ignorance to the wider significance of Proctor’s decision to hang for his sins.

Key Words to describe: Convincing, Influential, Religious, Reasonable, Honest, Adaptable, Stern

Catalytic moments: Extract’s Tituba’s false confession/ When he visits the Proctors and sees there may be a falseness about the confessions/ When he is consumed by lies in court/ When he changes his mind and tries to convince Elizabeth to save Proctor

Function and role within the play: he symbolises the weaknesses within a theocracy. He represents the reasonable nature that Miller wants the audience to see, and apply to the social context in which it was written (1950s America); Hale represents a logical thinking that society should apply in situations so serious.

Key Ideas: Theocracy/ Religion/ Faith/ Logic/ Morality/ Truth/ Power/ Fear/

Key Quotes and stage directions: - “(setting down his books): …They are weighted with authority”- “Now mark me, if the Devil is in her you will witness some frightful wonders in this room”- “Glory to God! It is broken, they are free!- “I have seen too many frightful proofs in court—the Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points!” (Act 2)- “ If Rebecca Nurse be tainted, then there is nothing left to stop the whole green world from burning!” (Act 2)- “Man remember until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven” (Act 3)- “It is mistaken law that leads you to sacrifice. Life, woman, life is God’s most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it . . ..it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride.” (Act 4)- “ Let you not mistake your duty as I mistook my own. I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion; the very crowns of holy law I brought, and what I touched with my bright confidence, it died; and where I turned the eye of my great faith, blood flowed up.” (Act 4) 

Reverend Parris: Parris is not native to Salem; before this he was a merchant who bought Tituba as a slave on his travels. He is the 3rd reverend since the town settled there. He is a widow with a daughter, Betty.

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Parris is not well thought of by all those in the town and early comments are made about his salary and the confidence the village has in him. He has enemies within the village and the witchcraft scandal could ruin him – as it begins in his house. He therefore bends to suit whomever has the power and influence.

Parris instigates the witchcraft hysteria, sending for Hale and stirring up a panic when Tituba is questioned. Parris knows the truth that Abigail is lying about the dancing and the witchcraft, but perpetuates the deception because it is in his own self-interest. He later changes tact and at the end of the play we see Parris praying with Hale for the prisoners to give false confessions and save themselves, after a threat was put on his life and Abigail ran away with his money.

Key Words to describe: materialistic, paranoid, weak, suspicious, demagogue, selfish

Catalytic moments: Sees the girls dancing in the woods/ Sends for Hale’s expertise/ Aids Tituba’s false confession/ perpetuates the deception Abigail and the girls create/ attempts to sway prisoners in to false confessions – especially pleading with Elizabeth for her to save Proctor

Function and role within the play: demonstrates the weakness with theocracy and religion. How the power of fear can influence action

Key Ideas: Greed/ religion/ power/ fear/ injustice/ lies/

Key Quotes and stage directions: - ‘In history he cut a villainous path, and there is little good to be said for him’- ‘though we cannot hear his words, a sense of confusion hangs about him.’- “(his eyes going wide): No – no. There be no unnatural cause here.”- “That my daughter and niece I discovered dancing like heathen in the forest?”- “There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit.”- “my own household is discovered to be the very centre of some obscene practice. Abominations are done in the forest –“- “Your name in the town – it is entirely white, is it not?”- “I pray you, leap not to witchcraft… We cannot leap to witchcraft. They will howl me out of Salem for such corruption in my house”- “There is either obedience or the church will burn like hell is burning!”- “You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba!”- “They’ve come to overthrow the court, sir!”- “All innocent and Christian people are happy for the courts in Salem! These people are gloomy for it”- “Excellency, I would postpone these hangin’s for a while”- “Go to him! (He rushes out the door, as though to hold back his fate) Proctor! Proctor!”

Judge Danforth: Judge Danforth presides over the Salem witch trials. He is a stern yet practical man more interested in preserving the dignity and stature of the court than in executing justice or behaving with any sense of fairness. He is called in once Hale and Parris extract the false confession from Tituba and then Abigail, followed by the other girls.

Danforth is described as “a grave man in his sixties, some humour and sophistication that does not, however, interfere with an exact loyalty to his position and his cause”. He ignores clear evidence that the accusations are false and discards the truth.

When visiting Proctor in the final scenes, he refuses to pardon those remaining because he would lose reputation and respect, as his decision might cast doubt on the autonomy of the court. To Danfoth the law of the church is black and white.

Key Words to describe: controlling, cold-hearted, inherent gullibility, self-righteous, arrogant, prejudiced, uncaring,

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Catalytic moments: - Danforth in many ways reflects the problems with religion and how faith in this period is ultimately flawed. - Danforth is convinced of his own importance; he is so convinced he is right that he doesn’t like being questioned (Identity).- Danforth believes that what he is doing is right and anyone who challenges him must have something to hide, be against the court and therefore against God (intolerance). - He is afraid of being seen as weak (Fear) and refuses to stop the hangings even though he’s realising there false accusations.

Function and role within the play: - He constantly reminds the audience of the impending sense of harm that religion can cause. - Danforth is the anthropomorphic representation of the failings and false pretences of religion and keeps the clock of hysteria constantly ticking over with a tangible and terrifying beat.

Key Ideas: identity/ religion/ injustice/ fear/ intolerance/ hysteria/ allegory/ theocracy

Key Quotes and stage directions: - “Do you know who I am, Mr Nurse?”- And do you know that near to four hundred are in the jails from Marblehead to Lynn, and upon my signature?”- “And seventy-two condemned to hang by that signature?”- “the voice of heaven is speaking through children”- “And the other girls?... they are also pretending?”- “I judge nothing… I have seen marvels in this court.”- ‘(– it is the reflection of himself he resents)’- “The pure of heart need no lawyers”- “there is fear in the country because there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country!”- “But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it not?”- "You deny every scrap and little of this?"- “I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law”

Francis & Rebecca Nurse: This elderly couple is morally good, and whose actions are mainly off stage and revealed through ‘reported speech’. They are seen as gentle, kind, wise and highly respected. They have had many children and many grandchildren.

Rebecca is a “woman of experience” and she recognises Betty Parris’ mischief when she says “I think she’ll wake when she tires of it”.

Hysteria is at its peak when Rebecca Nurse is accused of witchcraft and this is a catalytic moment.

Rebecca’s presence at Proctor’s confession convinces him of what he must do. She signifies truth, morality and the logic of what his morals implore him to do.

The Putnams: They are wealthy land owners who are odds with other villagers over land disputes. The Putnams capitalize from the accusations of witchcraft by buying up the land of those imprisoned and hung, for cheaper prices. This means that they gain power and influence through the town.

Giles Corey notices the Putnam’s scheming – but won’t reveal his sources to the court (he is killed for this).

They are bitter people who encourage the witchcraft hysteria, Thomas says: “a murdering witch among us”. Mrs. Putnam is a twisted soul, a death-ridden woman. He only has one surviving child and turns on Rebecca Nurse, showing she’s bitter and malicious. She also states “there are wheels within wheels in this village, and fires within fires” which is metaphorical of the political games within the trials, and that every comment/ action has a hidden motivation or reason; all is not as it seems.

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In his research, Miller observed that many people who Ruth Putnam accused owned lots of land.

Giles Corey: Giles Corey, although a minor character, is one of the heroes in the novel. He is deeply brave and innocent. He holds true to his name, his morals and his family – sacrificing his life to protect what is theirs. Giles accuses Putnam of underhand tactics and refuses to reveal his sources, declaring “I stand mute”. He’s described as being “knotted with muscle” and he doesn’t give any credit to public opinions. He bothered very little about church.

In the end, for standing mute, he is pressed to death with stones. By admitting and revealing nothing, only repeating “more weight”, Giles ensures his land is passed to his sons and not eligible to be bought and sold, thus demonstrating his intelligence and his knowledge of the law – rather than blind belief in religion.

Characters are our vehicle in exploring 1692 Salem and 1950s McCarthyist America. The main plot centres on a love triangle, while the sub plots explore greed, corruption and political agendas (Parris, Putnam, Corey). The play and its characters give Miller’s comparison of Salem society with that of the McCarthy era (Allegory). They are a lesson to us, explaining that we should always be true to our moral compass (Parable).

Key Scene

The key scene in ‘The Crucible’ comes at the end of Act III (in some texts the play is only divided into two Acts,

in which case it is the end of Act I), when Proctor attends the court in an attempt to discredit Abigail. He does

this first by persuading Mary Warren to tell the truth, and ultimately by confessing his affair with Abigail.

However, both fail, and Proctor is put on trial himself. When Elizabeth is called to the court and asked about the

affair, she denies it, and in doing so undermines John’s case. He is then accused of witchcraft and placed under

arrest. At this point, both Proctor and Hale angrily denounce the court.

When Proctor attempts to undermine Abigail, Danforth sees him as attempting to undermine the court, and

therefore God. Danforth reacts extremely defensively to this, and begins to question Proctor personally, asking

him about his Christian morality. This shows the extent to which the court has stopped being about witchcraft,

and is now more concerned with preserving itself. Abigail wants to continue accusing people because she

enjoys the power, Putnam accuses those whose land he wants, and Danforth defends the court because he has

no other choice. There is no space for logical argument, and this is what appals Hale, and ultimately causes him

to denounce the court, and leave. It becomes clear in the court that what matters is not who is guilty and who is

innocent, but who holds power.

Ultimately, this scene is a tragic one. Proctor’s confession of adultery comes too late to stop the trials. Had he

confessed earlier, he may have been listened to, although at this point, no one in power is willing to admit that

the trials may be false. Another tragic aspect is the testament of Elizabeth Proctor. Although she is an honest

and moral character, it is her one lapse into deception that condemns John. This symbolises the decline of

Salem’s morality, where an honest woman in a court of law feels compelled to lie. Elizabeth is forced to choose

between telling a lie and (she thinks) exposing John’s affair. She chooses to lie, which she believes is a sin –

effectively sacrificing her morals for her husband. Ironically, telling the truth would have saved her husband.

The inversion of morality means that even the good and pure characters do not know how to act. This scene

represents the nadir (low point) of the court in terms of legitimacy. After this scene it is completely discredited.

The denunciation of Hale exemplifies this.

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