The Crucible by Arthur Miller - Essay Example

The plot involves a series of accusations about people participating in witchcraft. Reverend John Hale, an expert in witchcraft, is called from a neighboring town, to investigate the unnatural events that have recently been reported in Salem.  Many people accused of witchcraft end up in court and are hanged for their supposed involvement in unnatural activities.  The scenes reveal that many of those who undergo trial for involving in witchcraft are innocent people accused by others for personal reasons.

The Crucible features many prominent characters among them John Proctor, Abigail Williams, Mary Warren,  Ann Putman, Thomas Putnam, Giles Corey, Reverend John Hale, Elizabeth Proctor, Thomas Danforth, and John Hathorne. John Proctor (Husband to Elizabeth), a humble farmer, had an affair with Abigail at the time she was working for the Proctor family as a house help. Abigail a great liar wishes to see Elizabeth dead in the belief that upon Elizabeth’s death she would be married to John (Grade Saver par. 3). In a private conversation, Abigail reveals to John Proctor that the entire witchcraft saga was a hoax.  Abigail accuses Elizabeth of attempting to murder her as she feels a needle stab while she is eating. This she does know fully well that Mary had made a poppet and given it to Elizabeth as a gift with a needle stuck to it. It is based on the needle and the poppet that she accuses Elizabeth of.  In court, Proctor denounces Abigail’s claims stating that she is a liar and a whore. As a result of Abigail’s lies, Proctor is hung, Elizabeth is imprisoned awaiting her hanging after delivering her unborn child, and Rebecca Nurse is scheduled to face the gallows.

The setting of the plot is Salem, at a time when accusations of being involved in witchcraft could draw the death penalty. The author is keen enough to involve creating characters with different traits to be able to develop a captivating plot. In the Crucible, if Abigail was a truthful person, the many lives lost or about to be lost would have been saved. The author creates a plot that involves innocent people being accused of witchcraft and dying for the sins of others as in the case of Abigail and John Proctor and Elizabeth. Judge John Hathorne is presented for example as a person who delights in other people’s suffering. Better stated, the plot is such that innocent people are accused and end up suffering as a consequence of other people’s characters. Read More