The Crucible
[alert-success] The Crucible - Arthur Miller
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[alert-primary] Short Summary [/alert-primary]
[alert-primary] Short Summary [/alert-primary]
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Arthur Miller, an American dramatist, is the author of the play The Crucible. It is a historical play that centres on the Salem witch trials of 1692 in Massachusetts. The author uses the witch trials as a crucible to reveal the traits of each person, melting all human pretence through the fire of a crucible. Since Salem is a Puritan colony, many people who are accused of witchcraft get death sentences there.
During the search for his daughter Betty and niece Abigail, who were seen dancing with a slave in the forest after being suspected of witchcraft, Reverend Parris, the town's minister, appears in the play's opening scene. Betty appears to pass out and does not awaken. Reverend Hale, who is an expert in spotting this witchcraft, visits Betty as rumours start to circulate. And to avoid the trial, Abigail has fled.
We cannot look to superstition in this. The Devil is precise, the marks of his presence are definite as stone, and I must tell you all that I shall not proceed unless you are prepared to believe me, if I should find no bruise of hell upon her.
In this play, witchcraft serves as a metaphor for people's miserable conditions because they are devoid of goodness. Certain traits in the characters suggest the horrible idea, just as the bruise suggests hell. And because she had an affair with the farmer John Proctor, Abigail is one of the important characters to have the quality of having bruises on her goodness. He leaves her after she admits to being a witch and feels bad for his wife. Because she has unjustly accused many people of being witches, Abigail does not reveal her terrible bruise before Tituba makes her confession. Betty also joins them.
But God made my face; you cannot want to tear my face. Envy is a deadly sin, Mary
This is ironic given that Abigail herself has jealous feelings for Elizabeth, Proctor's wife. Thus, this is another aspect of her dreadful nature. Following an accusation by one of the girls, Elizabeth is now in jail. Danforth's order led to the hanging of many people on the grounds of the witchcraft accusation. Vice Governor.
I cannot speak, but I am doubtful that every moment is judged for lies, as though I come into a court when I come into this house.
Proctor wants to demonstrate kindness and the qualities that are opposed to evil since he has felt guilty. The phrases that were just mentioned allude to his guilty conscience since he is tired of telling lies. He so aspires to be a good man, and the Salem witch trials clearly expose this. He is also dealing with the effects of witchcraft as a result of the servant Mary's dishonesty. He has admitted to having an affair with Abigail, a symbol of goodness, in an effort to preserve his marriage. But once more, all is in vain.
The witch trial brings out the true nature of every character, bringing out the wickedness of Abigail, Betty, Tituba, and Mary, as well as the goodness of individuals like Proctor. We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment.
By the play's conclusion, many of the guilty have already been hanged; however, Elizabeth is an exception since she is pregnant. Proctor is also pushed to make a false confession, but he refuses because he is resolved to be one with goodness. Elizabeth's endorsement of her husband's goodness signals the play's conclusion.
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