The Crucible By Arthur Miller - 1399 Words

The play, The Crucible, written in the 1950s by Arthur Miller, is an allegory to the communist investigations happening in the U.S. at that time. The story takes place in 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, and hones in on its puritan members and the witch trials that occur. In order for a healthy, well-functioning community it is necessary for it to be a sanctuary where feelings can be shared, no secrets are kept, and no corruption exists. When a community is lacking all positive traits, it is filled with mistrust, conflict, and hostility. This was especially true in the Puritan community of Salem. The Puritan religion demanded strict adherence to the law they were taught and believed that the punishment would be severe whether it be by the†¦show more content†¦One of the main themes of the play is fear, in The Crucible, Arthur Miller, proves that fear destroys a community through the characters of John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, and Abigail Williams. John Proctor, the protagonist in The Crucible, is sent to his demise because of fear. Respected by all in Salem, John hides a guilty secret. He has committed a crime that is completely unforgivable to the harsh Puritans, adultery with his wife’s former servant. Proctor does not reveal to anyone of his lechery besides his wife in Act 1 and 2 because he is fearful. It is a rational fear since he would have most probably be jailed or hung in the theocratic village. Proctor seems to feel he has betrayed Elizabeth’s love and trust and fears for her arrest in the trials. He rips up the warrant when the court marshals arrive to arrest Goody Proctor in order to protect her. â€Å". . . while he shows his love by sacrificing his name to try to save Elizabeth†, he only condemns himself (Johnson 52). When Proctor goes to court, he is cautious when speaking to Hathorne, Danforth, and the rest of the court officials, because he is afraid of the religious, social, and legisla tive crime he committed. Even when speaking to Hale, he only raises suspicion that the girls might be lying, not giving them proof by his sin, proving his