Analytical Essay - The Crucible

The Crucible takes the historical context of the Salem witch trials of 1692 in order to explore several important, yet different, themes. Miller turns the reader’s attention to the small community of Salem, Massachusetts, and encourages the reader to look at how people behave under threats from society. Some people show their best traits while others show their worst traits. The motivations that drive the various characters in The Crucible, and in fact the people of Salem at the time, were the fear of losing the protection of personal reputation and the reputation of the Church. In the context of Puritanism, which purportedly supported the virtues of honesty, The Crucible shows that those who are honest are not believed and suffer persecution, while those who lie are praised and admired. Dishonesty quickly becomes a contagion that wipes out all human decency. Mass hysteria becomes a terribly dangerous social epidemic.

Reputation, both personal and for the church, was extremely important in Salem where social standing of an individual was tied to his or her ability to follow to follow religious rules and beliefs. If people were of good standing in the church, they also had good standing in the community. In The Crucible, the behaviour of one character, Reverend Samuel Parris, exemplifies this need to protect and maintain a good reputation within the church and maintains a high regard for himself. This is evident in his dispute with John Proctor as to whether the supply of firewood should be deducted from his salary: “I am not some preaching farmer with a book under my arm, I am a graduate of Harvard College” (p. 34). He also defends his reputable position as a minister, revealing his high expectation for the respect he desires and feels he deserves, “a minister is the Lord’s man in the parish… not to be so lightly crossed or contradicted” (p.34). In his relationship with Abigail Williams, Parris reveals another side to his character, which shows his little