The Crucible

In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, hysteria plays an important role in driving the story forward. It is seen in almost every character and has far-reaching consequences. Examples of this include Abigail Williams accusing people of witchcraft to hide her own guilt; Reverend Parris’ fear that his authority is being…

The Crucible by Arthur Miller is an allegory for McCarthyism. It examines the tension between the human desire to conform and the individual rights of conscience, which mirrors the situation during the Red Scare in America. The play follows a group of Salem villagers as they find themselves swept up…

Sarah Good is a mentally disturbed and homeless lady in Salem. She is also a beggar, and this makes her a person of low social standing in the community. For this reason, Abigail easily accuses her of partaking in witchcraft. Her and Tituba prove to be easy scapegoats because they…

Mary Warren is an embodiment of human weakness and fear. She ultimately gets swept by the wave of hysteria caused by the witch trials. The focal point of these trials is Abigail and her group of girls. Though Mary is among the oldest in that particular group, she is sadly…

Giles is among the noble characters within the play. He is an embodiment of sheer willpower to the rest of the characters. Eventually, they look up to him or feel intimidated by him. This depends on the actions they have committed themselves. Earlier within the play, Giles perceives the possibility…

Judge Danforth is the epitome of over-adherence and rigidity concerning the law. He is intelligent, successful, and highly respected. Danforth has come to Salem in order to oversee the prosecution of those accused of witchcraft. He has serene confidence in his ability to deliver fair judgment. The hysteria of the…

Rebecca Nurse represents a staunch pillar of reason and sense amid the frenzy that engulfs Salem, Massachusetts. She is dedicated to doing the right thing emanating a sense of ideal goodness. For this reason, she is highly revered and holds a position of honor in Salem’s community. Even reverend Hale…

Tituba is a special character in Miller’s play. He is the only black individual in the entire town of Salem and a slave to Reverend Parris. She hails from Barbados, and within the play, she is individualized in terms of her place of origin, dialect and skin complexion to demonstrate…

Reverend Hale is divided between his faith and the belief in the individual. He is like a spiritual doctor” that has been summoned to eradicate witchcraft and other sins.  Hale is expected to diagnose the issue, and after that, administer the requisite remedy by converting sinners or eliminating them from…

Abigail’s character is the vessel that sets the play in motion. She is an unmarried and orphaned girl working as a helper to the Proctor family. Abigail is also the niece to Reverend Parris. She is the one most responsible for the meeting between the girls and Tituba within the…