Conflict Is the Heart of Drama

In the play, �The Crucible,’ written by Arthur Millar, conflict is the cornerstone around which the text is moulded. Although most of the conflicts are external, there are also examples of severe internal conflict, as can be seen in Millar’s protagonist character, John Proctor. Mary Warren, Proctor’s servant-girl, is also a victim of internal conflict within the play. Proctor, in addition, is involved in external conflict too, between him and Judge Danforth, him and Elizabeth Proctor, and him and the Court of Salem. Each of these conflicts are crucial to the plot, and when represented, complicate the action of the text towards its final resolution.

Internal conflict, in Proctors’ case, acts as a battle within his mind, with one side trying to overpower the other. In Act Two, John is faced with the decision to denounce Abigail, and consequently himself, to the court, and end the mounting number of witch-craft accusations. However, his pride overpowers his conscience and he stands mute, explaining to Elizabeth that he has “good reason to think before I charge fraud on Abigail.” His decision is based on his affection for Abby, and his self-preservation of his good name. Fortunately his decision is only temporary and his “good” side gaining victory over his “bad” side as he watches his wife being arrested as a witch and thrown into prison. He realised he is to blame by not having confessed earlier. Thus Proctor returns to the court, tells of his affair with Abby displaying her motivations to kill Elizabeth, “She thinks to dance on my wife’s grave with me.” The outcome of John’s procrastination is serious in that it severely damages his upright reputation whilst not freeing any of the accused. This highlights the importance of recognizing a right course and acting upon it swiftly.

Another victim of internal conflict in the play is Mary Warren, who struggles in her choice to confess and expose her friends’ deceit. At the beginning of Act Two, Mary feels a new sense of self-importance at her position she has been given in the court, “I’m – I am an official of the court, they say,” and is strong in her conviction to join with the other girls in seeking out the devil, and “discover where he is hiding.” John and Elizabeth listen to her words in a calm manner, but when Elizabeth is arrested, John becomes desperate. He knows Mary is lying in her accusations and orders her to come to the court with him and speak the truth. The next day in the court, Mary’s fear of John, and promptings of her conscience allow her denounce the other girls and herself, telling Danforth that “it were pretence, sir.” Here, the audience has hope for Mary’s’ character if only she can stay strong against the pressures of her friends. However, Millar demonstrates the frailty of human conscience within man, with Mary bowing to the pressure, and turning from John. This bowing relates to the ironic title, “The Crucible.” A crucible is a vessel in which metals are heated to high temperatures, melted down, and purified, without the crucible cracking. Here Mary had the opportunity to act as a crucible, but cracked under the intensity. She runs to Abigail hysterically screaming “I love God! I love God!” Mary Warren’s failure to stand up for what was right indirectly led to the hanging of many innocent Puritans, demonstrating the need for a sense, and strength of conscience.

Proctor is also involved in profound conflict with his wife. The conflict stemmed from the coldness felt within the home, the lack of love and passion between the married couple. Finding these two qualities