Introduction
The Crucible is a play written by Arthur Miller in 1953. This play highlights the plight of the individuals in Salem witch trials occurred in 1692. The Crucible is an allegory because the story narrated through the dialogues of characters has a close connection to McCarthyism, a term used to describe the blind communist-hunt by an American Judge, Joseph McCarthy.
Themes of individual and society play the most significant role in bringing about the core meanings of The Crucible. The notion of purging an individual hints at the rescue of the society from the darkness favoured by the devil. Social hysteria is subtly implemented as a "victorious tragedy" in The Crucible.
Individuals and Society are associated with each other
This play takes place in Salem, a small town where people strongly believe in the stern rules of their Puritan society. The people of Salem had no faith in individualism. It was John Proctor who challenged his religious society and stood against the oppression by Puritan believes through refusing to sign on the false confession. John Proctor made his people realize that it is no odd to stand for one's own "name". That is why, society is closely related to individuals in this play.
Importance of Society in The Crucible
Before asserting the importance of society, let us explore what a society actually is. Society is defined as a group of people living as a community or an organized group of people for a common purpose. As mentioned above, the formation of a society based on religious beliefs was considered as an important factor of living by the people of Salem. In order to maintain their trade cycle, they had to resort to their society. Taking account of one's neighbours was common. When witchcraft hit the town, authorities were concerned about the eradication of all the witches so that [according to them] people might be protected against any disaster. But some evil-minded people used witchcraft as a tool to extort land from their neighbours. Giles Corey was well aware of such wicked intensions of his neighbour Thomas Putnam, said he,
This man is killing his neighbors for their land!
Significance of Individualism in The Crucible
Vocabulary.com defines individualism as thus,
Individualism is all about taking care of yourself; it is the belief and practice that every person is unique and self-reliant. A belief in individualism also implies that you believe that the government should bud out of your individual affairs.
Although individualism is depicted seeking its existence in the initial stage of the play as people of Salem are opposed to it. However, its roots are gradually deepened through the sacrifice of John Proctor. He was received as a hero not because he had enough courage to condemn the court for the misconduct they showed during the witch trials but because he gave the people of Salem an idea that they were no longer the puppets of their government. John Proctor was not a believer of individualism but he stood for himself and for his wife, which clearly highlights the significance of individualism in The Crucible.
Conclusion
Arthur Miller has succeeded in presenting a conflict between individuals and society on religious grounds in his flagship play, The Crucible. The society of Salem is rescued by the individualism shown by John Proctor.
References and Suggested Readings
- https://neoenglish.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/the-crucible-shows-the-relationship-between-individual-and-society-discuss-the-main-theme-and-contention-of-the-drama-%E2%80%98the-crucible%E2%80%99/#:~:text=REGISTRATION-,The%20Crucible%20shows%20the%20relationship%20between%20individual%20and%20society%2C%20discuss,the%20drama%2C%20'The%20Crucible'&text=If%20a%20man%20is%20to,himself%20open%20to%20unfavorable%20charges.
- https://prezi.com/dhbzogx2fgrf/society-vs-individualism-in-the-crucible/
- The Individual and Society (The Crucible). (2016, May 17). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-individual-and-society-the-crucible-essay
- "How does the play The Crucible show the conflict of the individual vs society?" eNotes Editorial, 19 Oct. 2010, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/hows-does-play-crucible-show-conflict-individual-209793. Accessed 3 Sep. 2020.
- https://www.yourdictionary.com/society
- https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/individualism
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