Salem Witch Trials - Book Report/Review Example

Introduction The play ‘The Crucible’ is a classical drama that was written in the 1950s by the author Arthur Miller. The setting of this drama is in Salem, Massachusetts, and it dates back to 1692 (Miller and Susan 1). The setting is in Puritan only societies who were known to be very religious. However, there was a practice of witchcraft which was not acceptable. The events of the Salem Witch Trials are detailed with the author Arthur Miller criticizing these events. One of the dictionary definitions of the word crucible is a very severe trial. Another meaning is that a crucible is a metallic pot used to heat chemicals so as to separate the pure and impure. Therefore, in the play, the Author was criticizing the Salem Witch Trials which were depicted this precise meaning. Therefore, the play is based on the need to separate the good from the evil which is done through a thorough test of character. Consequently, the combination of these two meanings will help in understanding the main theme of the play. Given that there was a practice of witchcraft in Salem, the mood of the play was that of unexpected doom. People are not able to trust each other but rather lived in suspense not knowing the good and evil. In the play, good people are viewed as bad and hence persecuted while the bad people continue to triumph. Through this, the author explains the idea of how hard it is to do good when there are malicious people against one's good deeds. The characters in the play have been used to properly bring out the theme with some of them playing major roles while the others play minor roles. Character Analysis Reverend Parris The play has its major characters introduced in the first act where they all gather at the Reverend Parris’s home to discuss the practice of several girls who are suspected to be practicing witchcraft. Parris is the church leader at Salem. His believe in God shows that he is a good character who is concerned by the good of the community. Witchcraft is not a good activity, and since the reverend is worried that his daughter could be practicing it shows that he is indeed concerned with the good of his family and also the society. However, Parris is concerned about gaining power which makes his quest for good questionable. He defends himself by claiming that the town’s people do not respect his position as Gods minister. John Proctor John Proctor is the major character of the play and husband to Elizabeth Proctor. He has a love for truth and goodness in him which is a positive aspect of his character. However, this goodness is only within him but not practiced which leaves his morals doubtful. This means that he wants well done unto him and others, but he struggles to do well to others. His character is not very good as he is accused of being involved with Abigail who is Parris’s niece. This sees him fail to do what is just by revealing Abigail as a fake as he fears that his reputation would be ruined. Elizabeth Proctor Elizabeth Proctor is a God-fearing and noblewoman who is married to John Proctor. She is principled, and her will to do well is overwhelming. This is shown when she throws Abigail out of her household when she discovered her unfaithfulness. Her character is compromised when she keeps quiet about the behavior of her husband making her an accomplice of evil doers. Abigail Williams Abigail Williams was Reverend Parris’s niece once worked at the Proctor’s but thrown out by Elizabeth Proctor due to her immoral behavior. This causes her to engage in the witchcraft and casts a spell on Elizabeth as a form of vengeance. She is ambitious as she stops at nothing so as to have John Proctor but this does not work out well, therefore, she flees Salem. Betty Parris Betty Parris is the daughter of Reverend Parris who is introduced to witchcraft by Abigail and Tituba who was a servant at the Parris’s. She is naïve as she follows what she is told blindly. It is because of this that she is greatly controlled by Abigail who often threatens her. She would have a good time if she only came clean on the things they did as she had nothing to lose. Tituba  Tituba is a servant at the Parris’s and was black. Since she was black, it would be good if she dressed differently from the others. There were the claims that Tituba was able to communicate with the dead to cast her spells which she later confessed to.  Abigail and Tituba involve other girls; Ruth, Susanna, and others in their evil practices. However, Tituba is turned in by Abigail who is self- centered but saves herself in the trial by coming clean and telling the truth. Tituba trusted thoughtlessly which she ought not to considering that Abigail turned against her. Thomas and Ann Putnam Thomas and Ann Putnam were rich people in Salem and were able to buy anything that they wanted. They had many rivals and enemies and took advantage of the witchcraft to implicate them. This shows that they were self-centered and ambitious. Reverend Hale Reverend Hale was a friend of Reverend Parris who comes to Salem to find out whether witchcraft existed in the town. He is believed to be knowledgeable at this. This shows that he has good intentions. However, he does not look at all the facts as he comes up with hasty conclusions. This would mean that he is not very efficient at what he does. Danforth Danforth is the deputy governor at Salem who has the responsibility of leading the witchcraft trials. It is because of this role that he is brought out as authoritative and powerful. From how he conducts the trials, it is clear that he is intimidating. It is because of this that the trials are very severe. Work Cited Miller, Arthur, and Susan C. W. Abbotson. The Crucible. London: Methuen Drama, 2010. Print.     Read More