Internal Conflict In The Crucible

Karol Dabrowski December 1, 2012
English III Period 2: Roll 12 Indicating Theme through Internal Conflict: An Examination of Miller’s Intent in The Crucible Theocracy is a method of government in which a divine being is formally recognized as the public Head of state and community officials are viewed as divinely guided. In a theocratic civilization, God himself is thought of as the head of state. Conscious of how a theocracy can destroy a society, Miller intends to imply – through his portrayal of John Proctor and Reverend Hale – the thematic idea that theocracy is essentially blind and corrupt. One indication of Miller’s intent, in this respect, is his formation of John
Proctor, who criticizes the court throughout the trials. An Additional suggestion of Miller’s intention is his creation of Reverend John Hale, who at first was in favor of the trials but later denounces the count and tries to save the lives of those accused. Concerning the belief that theocracy is blind and corrupt, Miller embodies this belief through his character John Proctor. For example in one part of the story Elizabeth, John Proctor’s wife, tells Proctor that he must go to Salem and disclose that Abigail is being dishonest. In these circumstances, Elizabeth says, “She said it had naught to do with witchcraft, did she not” (3.53). Miller’s choice of words shows how Abigail is being deceitful at the witch trials. These words are an example of internal conflict because John Proctor wants to tell the court the truth but, he knows that it will be his word against Abigail’s. From a thematic viewpoint, Miller seems to be implying that government, when governed by a theocracy, is blind and crooked because it is run by false evidence. Similarly, through a later scene in the story, Proctor tells Mary Warren to be truthful. He tells her to go to the courtroom and bear witness against Abigail. Proctor consoles Mary by saying, “We will slide together into our pit; you will tell the court what you know” (2.80). Miller selected these words to show how Proctor wants Mary Warren to swear against Abigail in order to ensure his wife’s freedom. This confrontation is a case of internal conflict because on one side Mary wanted to testify in order to free Elizabeth but, on the other she is afraid that Abigail and the others will turn against her. From a thematic position, Miller intends that when a culture is being ruled by a theocracy, corruption and greed are all that can follow because in the story the theocratic trials are based on the allegations of a little girl that had no physical evidence to back them up. Moreover, Miller wants the reader to determine his thematic concept that generally a theocratic society is blind and immoral.

Outside the influence of corruption and deceitfulness, Miller seems to be expressing that one may once be in favor of something but later condemn it.
This is shown through Reverend John Hale. In the play, after Proctor is arrested, Hale denies the accounts and resigns from the courtroom. Hale informs the courtroom, “I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court” (3.120) Miller chose these words to show how Hale, once a supporter of the trials, now criticizes them and is against the courtroom. These words are an occasion of internal conflict because on one hand he wants to believe what he’s known all of his life but, on the other he believes the trials are corrupt and unfair. From a thematic outlook, Miller aims to imply that when a society is subject to a blind and corrupt government, such as a theocracy, nothing good can come of it much like in the words quoted when the society crumbled and even a once supporter of theocracy criticized it. In another segment of the play, Hale is attempting to get the prisoners to confess their crimes in a useless effort of thwarting their punishments. In the play Herrick says, “He goes among them that will hang, sir. And he prays with them” (4.123). Miller chose these words in order to show how Reverend Hale, a once supporter of the court, now denounces it and attempts to save the lives of the people he assisted in accusing. These words are an instance of internal conflict because Reverend Hale is going against what he believed in
all his life and endeavoring to free the lives of those he sentenced. From a thematic view, Miller implies that when a theocracy is in charge of a civilization it is blind and unethical because Reverend Hale, a man once in charge of the Salem witch hunt, now goes against the vary court that he once stood. One can conclude that Miller is informing the reader that when a society is being ruled by a theocracy, the outcome is necessarily a blind and corrupt form of government. Surely one could differ by saying that Miller implies that a theocracy can lead to stronger control over people and a government with more authority.
In truth, however, such an examination is most likely wrong because Miller obviously suggests his belief that, in truth, a theocratic government is nothing but blind and corrupt. In the drama, Reverend Hale tells Danforth that none of the captives will plead guilty and informs him of what’s going on in the town. Reverend Hale states, “Excellency, there are orphans wandering from house to house; abandoned cattle bellow on the highroads, the stink of rotting crops hangs everywhere. . .” (4.130) As of a thematic standpoint, Miller infers that when people are being ruled by a theocracy pain and disorder are all it can convey because in the play, the town is left in wrecks because of the trials. In another scene of the story, John Proctor admits to witchcraft and Danforth tries to get him to accuse someone else. Judge Danforth states to Proctor, “You have most certainly seen some person with the Devil. Mr. Proctor, a score of people have already testified they saw this woman with the Devil” (4.140). From a thematic opinion, Miller seems to be inferring that a theocratic government is crooked because even after Proctor has confessed to witchcraft they try to get him to convict someone else. According to literary criticizer Muhammad Awan, the charges of the court were unfair and illegitimate. Muhammad Awan claims that, “The
accused is judged as guilty before any evidence is established” (7). According to literary critic Muhammad Awan, the claims were so stark that if anyone debated with the alleged they are believed to be working together. Muhammad Awan says, “Those who dare to speak in favor of the accused are threatened and are treated as accomplices” (7). Overall, a theocratic form of government is, in a way, blind and corrupt because of how they make accusations deprived of concrete evidence and facts. In conclusion, one can understand that Miller formed the character John Proctor as a disobedient individual who disagreed with the courtroom’s actions throughout the play. Miller furthermore implies, as shown through his portrayal of Reverend Hale, that one may once approve of something but later on criticize it. Finally, the play displays, through the internal conflict of John and Reverend Hale, the blind corruption of theocracy. Therefore, the circumstance that Miller gives John and Rev. Hale internal conflict makes it obvious that a theocratic society is generally blind and corrupt.