The Crucible

The crucible         As defined by the American heritage Dictionary, the word crucible refers to A severe test as bof patience or belief; a examination, a place, period or situation characterized by the confluence of powerful intelectual, social, sparing or political forces. The title is definitely a alteration one for Arthur Millers play.

        The play is reminiscent of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The place setting of the play is in a prude community. These people had a very strong sense of church and government as a combined entity. Membership in the church was needful to voting and holding office. Not attending church or not knowing theological concepts was considered suspicious and sinful. The puritans had a exigent idea about sin; forgiveness was granted with rough confession, rependance and penance. Within this social and religious atmosphere, the Devil had a monolithic impact. Sin was the Devils temptation of man and glamoures were the Devils hand maidens. In Puritan society, the biblical quote, Thou shalt not suffer a enthral to live (Exodus22:18), was accepted as doctrine.

                 This play, set in this autocratic society, is the desired feeding ground for suspicion, fear and religious pursecution. The social, economic and political lives of the people were intwined in the church, whose dictates brooked no debates. It is fear that breeds the witch trials, a fear that the church encouraged in the Puritan parishioners. As depicted in Millers play, the trial is a travesty of justice as we know it. For example, the fact that Abigail was a despoiler should have caused doubt about her testimony.



The absence of lawyers at a trial in which the judge (Danforth) is solely responsible for the verdict, is a slap in the face to the concept of due preocess of law. even out the minster (Reverend John Hale) who , at first, believed in the need for these investigations sees them for the sham they are.

        The Crucible is a perfect title because it combines the concept of a trial with the atmosphere and society that nursed, fomented, and set in motion actions that would canvass many innocent lives. Inherent in The Crucible, is the way in which greed and lies protect the guilty and condemn the innocent.

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