THE CRUCIBLE ESSAY ‘The Crucible’ written by Arthur Miller and my related material ‘Happy Feet’ by George Miller is true to this statement “Understanding nourishes belonging…a lack of understanding prevents it” that represents the interpretation of belonging. To define belong is to have the correct personal and social assets to be a member of a particular group or it could be to fit a particular environment.
By a sense of place, people you meet, and context and environment can affect belonging. The place that affects belonging in ‘The Crucible’ is set in Salem Massachusetts, USA, in 1692. What arises in this specific setting is only a theocracy based on a very literal Christianity. By changing the setting of ‘The Crucible’ it wouldn’t have the same meaning, for that reason the events that occurred in Salem in 1692.
The Crucible Characters John Proctor, Abigail Williams and Mary warren will provide support to my claims. Belonging can be influenced by the character’s own circumstances. For instance Abigail Williams is in a situation where she longed to belong to the adult world - especially in John Proctor’s arms once more. This is due to the fact that she is in the pre-teen stage and how throughout the play adults kept strengthen the border line between a child and adult. Furthermore realise how in the beginning Abigail is very intimidating and headstrong character due to the fact that she led a group of girls and threatens all who oppose and those who stood in her way. This comes to show that she wants to prove that she is a grownup - one with power in town much like some adults in this play like, Reverend Parris, The Judge and John Proctor. John Proctor, A man who has not put a high priority on ‘belonging’ in his life. Proctor doesn’t belong in his own family due to his affair with Elizabeth’s assistant, Abigail Williams which had a negative influence on his relationship with his wife, Elizabeth Proctor.