Thematic Significance of Miller's The Crucible

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Introduction

The Crucible is one of the flagship plays of an American playwright, Arthur Miller which was published in 1954. This play revolves around the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts which chronologically occurred in 1692, claiming many innocent lives as a result of Puritanism (religious extremism). This play is a well-known allegory to the McCarthyism, a term used for an American Judge Joseph McCarthy who "blindly" declared and witch-hunted communists traitors and took devastating actions against the accused. The whole unrest is illustrated through the themes of reputation, hysteria, religion as a tool of exploitation and justice.

Lies

The first theme which shows its existence in The Crucible is the practice of lies and deceit. Betty lies consciously unconscious because she wants to protect herself against the accusation of being a witch. So as Abigail does. She denies her ability to see spirits [which is, of course, a lie]. John Proctor also lies to his wife about his affair with Abigail which he "has to done with". Lies serve as a momentum to the other themes in this play to thrive. In fact, the whole witch-hunt is based on lies!

Reputation

Reputation is one of the core themes of The Crucible. In Salem, one's reputation pretty much set a deciding factor of social meet-ups and gatherings. Maintenance of one's reputation is noticeably present in this play as every major character strives hard to save his reputation. John Proctor does not reveal his love affair with Abigail to his wife for the sake of his good reputation. But an accusation of witchcraft would serve as a detergent wash to reputation. That is why John Proctor refuses to sign his name on the [false] confession which is to be hung on the Church's door because he does not want to blot his good name (name = reputation),

I have given you my soul; leave me my name!

Hysteria

Hysteria governs a major share in the thematic significance of the play. Hysteria and witchcraft go hand in hand. Salem witch trials create a massive fear in the hearts of the residents of the very area. So, it can be termed as mass hysteria. Such a fearful growth locks people's ability to think rationally and opportunists like Abigail devises this fear to turn the game into their favour. Abigail's so-called bewitched condition to shift her blame of witchcraft to Tituba is a prime example.

Religion as a Tool of Exploitation

Religious puritanism is widely present in the society of Salem. Their religious activities are composed of going to Church on Sunday, no work on Sabbath, having a firm belief in the Gospel and respecting a minister's words as the words of God. The last one serves religion as a tool of manipulation. People who were accused of witchcraft could be punished if a violation of these religious activities was presented as a piece of evidence. That is the reason why as respectable women Rebecca Nurse are captured and executed in the name of witchcraft. Thus, religion has been used to extort people's resources by accusing them of witchcraft.

Justice

Since the government of Salem is a theocracy, authorities believe that God is the judge and supreme leader of the state. Practically, the power and law are in the hands of a few persons, Hathorne, Hale, Danforth and Parris to name a few. They think that God speaks through children and hints them to punish ones who side with the devil. Such injustice creates a massive fear among the residence and everyone is shifting his or her accusation to the other person to secure his or her life because "the noose is up". Manifestly, the theme of justice is hung just because of authorities' weak analysis.

Conclusion

The Crucible initially burns through the theme of lies, then the security of reputation, then the exhibition of a pre-planned hysteria while using religion to suppress the accused and lastly, by the murder of the justice! Every theme holds a significant water to highlight the plight of the residents who were charged with witchcraft.