Crucible Is a Play by Arthur Miller Essay

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Crucible is a play by Arthur Miller with layers of meaning and subtext. Miller's mission was to draw a direct analogy between the social and political themes of the 20th century with those of pre-Revolutionary America. Setting the play in Puritan New England, in the town of Salem, allows the playwright to explore the thematic connections between the witch trials and McCarthyism. Doing so seems seamless, as the audience perceives three main themes that remain salient in American culture. Those three themes include that of social conformity; sexual repression; and religious rigidity. Miller explores social conformity, sexual repression, and religious rigidity throughout The Crucible, to warn of the cyclical nature of history and the resistance to change that permeates American society.

One of the primary themes of Miller's The Crucible is the ways social conformity and mob mentality manifest in American society. The Crucible remains primarily concerned with the ways personal psychology interface with social norms, values, and expectations. The Reverend Parris, for example, has internalized the Puritanical values and mores to an extreme extent; surrendering his desire to think creatively, critically, and independently. When he states to Abigail, "if you trafficked with spirits in the forest I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it," his self-centeredness in the matter is extraordinary (p. 10). Rather than be concerned for Abigail, Reverend Parris is more concerned about himself and his own reputation.

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He also relinquishes responsibility, blaming Abigail and telling her that "punishment" will come from on high: "your punishment will come in its time," (p. 10). Here, Reverend Parris is attempting to instill the Puritanical values and norms into Abigail: in order to mold her in his idea of what a Puritan female should be like. The very idea that Abigail and the other girls would consider developing their own worldviews is preposterous to the religious right in Salem. Social conformity is achieved via psychological intimidation, persuasion, propaganda, and violence.

Given that the persecuted members of society comprise a vast underclass based almost entirely on gender, Miller makes a broad statement about the way gender roles and norms play out in American society. Sexual repression means not just the prudishness for which Puritans are well-known; sexual repression also entails the suppression and oppression of women. Women's sexuality is demonized in Salem; just as it was certainly demonized also in Miller's milieu in the middle of the 20th century in America. Abigail's budding sexuality, for example, has been demonized by Proctor. Proctor in turn cannot bring himself to take responsibility for his own moral transgressions and lays blame on Abigail for her seductiveness. Even if Abigail is manipulative, it is likely because women in Salem have few options in terms of how they can….....

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