Symbols In The Crucible

Drama; Secrets; Scandal. Three simple words, all of which describe ‘the Crucible’ perfectly. Arthur Miller’s clever use of universal themes and hidden techniques throughout the tragedy are what makes ‘the Crucible’ the well known play that it is today. With its gripping storyline of love, jealousy and betrayal the play is deeply moving with a twist of excitement. Focused on the series of mysterious events surrounding 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. Arthur Miller produced the play in 1953 at just 34 years of age. Miller demonstrated the devastating effects of McCarthyism as he had experienced himself in the 1950s. He expresses his opinions on it clearly so the audience can comprehend.

From the rise of the curtain, the build up of tension
He uses light to represent moods and this time describes the ‘moonlight seeping’ as though being sly and pervasive. Miller states the room as ‘appearing empty’ which is insinuating it’s not definitely empty. When Herrick enters he refers to Sarah Good and Tituba as a bundle of rags even though he knows that Sarah and Tituba are lying beneath them, which is somewhat dehumanising. Towards the end of Act 4, when Proctor is discussing with Danforth about confessing, he says he ‘wept like a woman’ which I feel is being sexist and it’s as if stating that men don’t cry. Also near the end of Act 4, Proctor eventually releases his emotions and breaks down, with a moving speech, and confesses to his sins. Miller has done this in a extremely clever way as its short but still deeply moving. He adds in a rhetorical question, and shows Proctor’s emotions spilling out. The stage direction (‘with a cry of his soul’) is powerful but at the same time moving. When Danforth replies, he asks plenty of questions but doesn’t give Proctor a chance to answer. Millers stage directions are smartly written, especially in this scene. Once the paper has been torn, Miller describes it as ‘though it were his life’ which is true because he now faces a death penalty for tearing it. After having confessed it seems as though Proctor can relax and is finally open with Elizabeth. When Rebecca almost falls, but lands in the arms of John Proctor, its displaying the tragic hero that he is. Also when she claims she has had no breakfast its almost as though she’s trying to stay strong but she’s obviously weak. When the drum rolls begin, its almost as if times running out as the space between each beat is getting shorter. The final stage direction is meaningful as it finalises as brings the tragedy to an end. After the final drum roll there is a ‘new sun’ as if there shall be a fresh start and