The Crucible by Arthur Miller: Themes, Characters, Symbols

The Crucible — Arthur Miller

Author: Arthur Miller
Genre: Drama, Tragedy, Historical
Setting: Salem, Massachusetts, 1692 (Puritan society)

Characters

• John Proctor: Protagonist; dynamic (changes throughout the play).
• Elizabeth Proctor: John’s wife; largely static (remains morally steadfast).
• Abigail Williams: Antagonist; static (manipulative and unchanging in her vengeance).
• Tituba: Secondary character; static (enslaved woman accused of witchcraft).
• Reverend Parris: Foil to Proctor; dynamic (shifts from selfishness to desperation).
• Reverend Hale: Foil; dynamic (initially fervent, later disillusioned and seeking to right wrongs).

Plot Summary

• Elizabeth’s Arrest: Elizabeth is accused of witchcraft by Abigail.
• Proctor’s Struggle: John Proctor tries to expose Abigail’s lies.
• Confession: Proctor confesses to adultery to undermine Abigail.
• Forest Incident: The girls’ dancing in the forest sparks witchcraft hysteria.
• Climax: Proctor chooses execution over a false confession.

Themes

• Witchcraft and Intolerance: Superstition fuels persecution.
• Judgment: Moral versus legal justice (e.g., Proctor’s final choice).
• Paranoia: Mass hysteria destroys rationality.
• Honor and Reputation: Proctor dies to preserve his name.

Symbols & Literary Devices

• Poppet: Represents false evidence (used to frame Elizabeth).
• Rope: Symbol of execution and irreversible decisions.
• Irony: The "pure" church condemns innocents.
• Allegory: The play critiques McCarthyism and similar persecutions.

Author’s Purpose

Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible as an allegory for the 1950s Red Scare, during which he faced accusations and suspicion related to Communism. The play parallels the Salem witch trials with McCarthyism, illustrating how fear and political pressure lead to irrational persecution and the destruction of lives.

Personal Analysis (10 Lines)

• Miller exposes how power corrupts when combined with fear.
• Proctor’s redemption arc highlights the cost of integrity.
• Abigail symbolizes unchecked vengeance masked as piety.
• The courtroom becomes a metaphor for mob mentality.
• Female characters reflect societal oppression (e.g., Tituba).
• The ending questions the price of moral absolutism.
• Historical parallels remind us of recurring societal flaws.
• Dialogue captures Puritan rigidity and hidden tensions.
• Symbols like the poppet underscore manipulation and false evidence.
• Ultimately, the play warns against sacrificing truth for security.