The Crucible

The Crucible

According to the Encarta® World English Dictionary, a definition for the word crucible is a place or set of circumstances where people or things are subjected to forces that test them and often make them change. In the drama The Crucible by Arthur Miller, various citizens of Salem, Massachusetts face the witch trials. Victims were tried and convicted based on only spectral evidence. John Proctor, Giles Corey, and Reverend Hale were a few among the many that went through these severe tests, hardships and trials.

John Proctor’s wife; Elizabeth Proctor, was accused of witchery and sent to prison. John loves his wife and tries to save her and all of the other accused women. His crucible is the Salem Court because Proctor has to prove that all of the ‘witches’ were innocent to an over-confident judge like Danforth without a lawyer or much knowledge of the law. During the trial, he discovers that his wife is pregnant and she will not be hanged for another year. He chooses to continue with the trial because he still needs to free the other prisoners. In order to do so, Proctor brought Mary Warren to explain to the court that there were never any spirits or witch craft. When his plan backfires, Proctor confesses about his affair with Abigail Williams, Hoping to discredit her and to let everyone know that she is a whore and that she only wants Elizabeth Proctor dead so she can take her place as John’s wife. Both attempts fail and Proctor is taken to the dungeon. He is later offered