A crucial theme Arthur Miller discusses in his play, The Crucible, is repression of individual freedom. While John Proctor represents individuality, the Puritan theocracy symbolizes the repressiveness of a body of government.
The most prominent representation of individuality in Miller’s play is John Proctor. Proctor’s idiosyncratic mind within Salem is not apparent to the reader until he stops agreeing with the courts and his peers. When Proctor refuses to sign a testimony Deputy Governor Danforth requests, he cries, “I have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are!” (Miller 142). He realizes the corruption and manipulation …show more content…
Many believe he wrote the play as a critique of what was happening during the specific time in history. Instead of directly writing about the event, Miller uses the Salem Witch Trials as the setting for his play. With these alterations, The Crucible holds both strengths and weaknesses regarding the message Miller attempts to …show more content…
Miller writes the play so each person in the town represents the different attributes of people seen in society. Reverend Hale, a minister in Beverly, serves as a ruthless witch hunter that changes for the better in a relentless community.
Reverend Hale’s importance is evident in his participation with the witch trials, and his actions following certain discoveries. He is the only member of the court that questions the court 's rash decisions to hang people with little to no evidence. Out of the entire town, Hale is the only member to acknowledge what they have done is wrong. He seems to be the only authoritative figure that has morals and wants to prevent further mistakes. Furthermore, he does not involve himself in the trials for selfish gains or to save himself, but rather to achieve justice in a town full of corruption. Hale is a crucial part of the Puritan theocracy and their aim to dispose of any and all witches in Salem, however, he is the only authority that is able to see the hysteria for what it truly is. At first, Hale is adamant he must find and convict a witch for conspiring with the Devil, however, as soon as he realizes the entire event was a lie, he immediately tries to right his wrongs. He struggles internally as he sees the obvious delusion set by Abigail Williams and her followers, but does not know how to convince the rest of the court he is telling
The most prominent representation of individuality in Miller’s play is John Proctor. Proctor’s idiosyncratic mind within Salem is not apparent to the reader until he stops agreeing with the courts and his peers. When Proctor refuses to sign a testimony Deputy Governor Danforth requests, he cries, “I have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are!” (Miller 142). He realizes the corruption and manipulation …show more content…
Many believe he wrote the play as a critique of what was happening during the specific time in history. Instead of directly writing about the event, Miller uses the Salem Witch Trials as the setting for his play. With these alterations, The Crucible holds both strengths and weaknesses regarding the message Miller attempts to …show more content…
Miller writes the play so each person in the town represents the different attributes of people seen in society. Reverend Hale, a minister in Beverly, serves as a ruthless witch hunter that changes for the better in a relentless community.
Reverend Hale’s importance is evident in his participation with the witch trials, and his actions following certain discoveries. He is the only member of the court that questions the court 's rash decisions to hang people with little to no evidence. Out of the entire town, Hale is the only member to acknowledge what they have done is wrong. He seems to be the only authoritative figure that has morals and wants to prevent further mistakes. Furthermore, he does not involve himself in the trials for selfish gains or to save himself, but rather to achieve justice in a town full of corruption. Hale is a crucial part of the Puritan theocracy and their aim to dispose of any and all witches in Salem, however, he is the only authority that is able to see the hysteria for what it truly is. At first, Hale is adamant he must find and convict a witch for conspiring with the Devil, however, as soon as he realizes the entire event was a lie, he immediately tries to right his wrongs. He struggles internally as he sees the obvious delusion set by Abigail Williams and her followers, but does not know how to convince the rest of the court he is telling