The Relationship Between John Proctor and Elizabeth in Arthur Miller's The Crucible

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The Relationship Between John Proctor and Elizabeth in Arthur Miller's The Crucible

The Crucible was written by Arthur Miller in 1952. It gives an insight

into the terror of the Salem witch trials of 1692. Many innocent

people were accused of witchcraft; plotting against God, killing

people by using magic, taking over a person's mind and binding with

the Devil. These were very religious times and any little hiccup in

one's behaviour can give reason that one has been taking part in

witchcraft. For example, John Proctor occasionally ploughs his field

on a Sunday which is not strictly correct Christian behaviour and

leads the prosecutors to think that Proctor is linked with the Devil.

The Crucible is also a metaphor for McCarthyism in America in the

1950s. Many American people were questioned because they were

suspected of being an, 'Un-American', or threatening the safety of the

state. This questioning soon turned into a modern day witch-hunt. If

anyone even criticised the government they were worthy to be

questioned. In both cases the policy, 'guilty until proven innocent'

seemed to apply, completely opposite to the justice system of today.

In the beginning of Act II there is definite tension between Proctor

and Elizabeth. Elizabeth's first line when she sees Proctor is, 'What

keeps you so late? It's almost dark.' She does not greet him with

warmth and love but with a hint of suspicion aroused from Proctor's

recent affair with Abigail Williams.

As the conversation carries on Elizabeth is very controlled with what

she says. For example, Proctor says to her, 'Are you well today?' and

she replies, 'I am.' It seems quite unnatural an...

... middle of paper ...

... can't bring himself to confess to

lies and when he heads off to be executed he exchanges a passionate

kiss with Elizabeth. It shows the build up of emotion and an audience

can see the strong love between the two of them. If you were to only

see an extract from Act II you would think that Elizabeth and Proctor

were an unloving and broken couple. But now their interactions are

completely different, they show love, need and compassion for each

other.

The final line, said by Elizabeth, is, 'He have his goodness now. God

forbid I take it from him.' She knows he is a good man and that he is

doing the right thing for himself. Although they have to part, at

least their relationship has been healed and Proctor can die knowing

that Elizabeth loves him and has forgiven him; and Elizabeth knows

that Proctor still loves her.

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