The Crucible Analysis

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Arthur Miller’s The Crucible takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. During this time period, Salem is in hysteria due to the witch hunts and trials of the seventeenth century. The hysteria of the witch trials paints a picture of Good vs Evil which makes The Crucible a morality play. Furthermore, Miller intended to create his characters this way in order for people to reflect on their current way of life. Specifically, the Red Scare that was taking place when the play was first released. The Crucible is a morality play due to the dramatization of Good and Evil that is shown in the characters. The characters Abigail, Reverend Paris and the Putnams are all painted as the forces of Evil in The Crucible. Abigail Williams, who is selfish, manipulative, power hungry, and intelligent, is the main antagonist in The Crucible. In Act I, it is found that Abigail had an affair with John Proctor who …show more content…

The characters John Proctor strongly represents the forces of Good in The Crucible. John Proctor the main protagonist; a blunt, likable, kind man, made a crucial mistake that set in motion the plot of the play. He had an affair with Abigail Williams, who was jealous of his wife. When the witch trials start, John realizes that he can stop Abigail’s evil plot if he confesses to their adultery. He first tries to name Abigail as a fraud but the attempt fails. John, seeing no other option, blurts out his confession which would ruin his image forever. “She used to serve me in my house, sir. A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything, I know it now. I beg you-see her what she is (Miller102).” In the end of The Crucible, John fully redeems himself by refusing to sign a false confession, that would have ensured his survival. His wife Elizabeth stated that he had his ‘goodness’ back in the end. “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him (Miller

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