A crucible can either be defined as a vessel of heat resisting material used for high temperature chemical reactions, or a test or trial of the most severe and decisive kind. In the Crucible, a play written by Arthur Miller, takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, during the Salem Witch Trials. Witchery is thought of as evil by the puritans living there. Witchery was believed to be linked with the devil, and bad luck. In the film version of the crucible, when someone was accused of witchery, by a group of girls who claimed to be able to see the devil with them, they were brought to court.
A crucible, according to Learner’s Dictionary, is a severe test. Learner 's Dictionary also defined it as a place or situation that forces people to change or make difficult decisions. Both definitions make sense in why they chose to name the play, The Crucible. Crucibles, by both definitions, are seen in the book and in our world today by Proctor confessing, Mary changing sides, discrimination in our world, and religious persecution today. Crucibles, or severe tests, are seen in the play.
In The Crucible is but one symbol that is blatantly clear is that of the crucible in the play itself. The play, set in Salem, Massachusetts during the start of the infamous Salem Witch Trials, is about the struggle to discover truth within the twisted and brutal lies that circlulate about the corrupted town, started mainly by a young girl by the name of Abigail Williams. The significance of the title in Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible is a persecution towards the people who were being accused of witchcraft who were put through both literal and theoretical fires, just as metal and ores are put into a crucible to melt such as. The crucible is a play full of symbolism, one being the crucible itself. The Crucible has two meanings in the play,
Fullmer 1 Undoubtedly children in The Crucible have a very defining aspect of one of the major themes in the novel, innocence vs guilt. In Salem, everything and anything either belongs to God or the Devil and who is more innocent in the eyes of God than a child? Childlike behavior is associated with innocence and this apparent innocence is what kept many of the children in Salem protected during the witch trials. The symbolism of innocence relating to the children, the voice that children are given in The Crucible compared to the other people who lack the ability to defend themselves because they are considered to be less credible, and why children are represented the way they are and how their representation contrasts other characters in the novel are all important elements to the novel as a whole. In The Crucible many seemingly innocent objects and actions are construed as witchcraft or guilty behavior, a good example of this is the poppet made by Mary Warren.
Many counterparts can be drawn between good and evil in The Crucible, and Miller’s juxtaposition of the characters shows the audience how one person acting with integrity can influence a society for good, and vice versa. Reverend Parris is an example of somebody who is extremely concerned with his standing in Salem village. He is afraid that when the people hear
Subsequently Abigail confessed, “I want to open myself! I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for devil; I saw him; I wrote in his book; I go
His guiltiness saved her from being executed for a crime that she never committed. When his lapse in integrity occurred and he committed lechery, it caused Abigail to want to be his wife more than ever. In order to become his wife, she had to find a way to remove Elizabeth from her position. Abigail’s condemnation provided her with the perfect opportunity to accuse Elizabeth of witchcraft. Elizabeth was bound to hang, until John Proctor’s guilt came into play.
During “The Crucible” many characters are brought through the courts because of accusations of witchcraft or working with the devil. The word crucible is used to define a pot able to withstand great temperatures, giving it the ability to melt down tough metals such as iron and steel. The word crucible is also used to describe a severe test or trial. The title “The Crucible” is a metaphor to explain the way the courts went about their trials. During the Salem Witch Trials, when people were accused of witchcraft, the main goal of the courts was to get a confession from the accused.
Finally, through John Proctor tries to tell the truth about Abigale and the girls, Elizabeth Proctor supporting her husband choice even though they have children to raise, and Giles Corey rather be pressed than lie about being a part of witchcraft it is clear the fundamental subject is courage. Nevertheless, The Crucible is a great reading that is not historically accurate, but simply describes the time of hysteria and the decisions people would make during the
The Crucible is a story of deception based on preconceived notion that women are to young women are to pure to be evil.Arthur Miller uses the age and gender of characters in The Crucible to show how when people with power are threatened with losing it, they will do anything to keep it. Abigail realizes the power she has over the men due to the fact