The Crucible Summary
The Crucible is a 1953 play by Arthur Miller about the Salem witch trials of 1692.
- Reverend Parris finds some girls dancing naked in the forest who claim they were bewitched. A special court investigates these allegations.
- Over a hundred of Salem's citizens are accused of witchcraft. One of them, Elizabeth Proctor, proclaims her innocence to her husband, John, who had an affair with a girl named Abigail.
- Realizing that Abigail has incited this witch hunt, John admits his adultery to save his wife, only to be convicted of devil worship. John is hanged while his pregnant wife is spared.
Summary
Introduction
The Crucible takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692 during the Salem witch trials. The play tells the fictionalized story of young Salem women who falsely accuse villagers of witchcraft, leading to mass hysteria, 200 arrests, and 19 executions.
Arthur Miller wrote the play during the 1950s McCarthy era as an allegory, drawing parallels between the witch trials and the political persecution of alleged communists in his time.
Plot Summary
Act I: Accusations Begin
The play opens with Reverend Parris discovering his daughter Betty, niece Abigail, and others dancing in the woods. Betty is unconscious, and rumors of witchcraft spread through Salem. Abigail denies the accusations but secretly threatens the other girls to maintain their silence. Reverend Hale, a witchcraft expert, is summoned to investigate.
John Proctor, a farmer, confronts Abigail, revealing their past affair and her desire to curse his wife, Elizabeth. Abigail denies witchcraft but later accuses Parris’s slave, Tituba, of forcing her to join the devil. Under pressure, Tituba and Abigail accuse others in the village, leading to mass arrests.
Act II: Rising Tensions
John and Elizabeth discuss the growing number of accusations in the Proctor household. Elizabeth urges John to expose Abigail as a liar. Mary Warren, the Proctors’ servant and part of Abigail’s group, gives Elizabeth a puppet she made in court. Mary reveals that Elizabeth has been accused of witchcraft but denies knowing who accused her.
Reverend Hale visits the Proctors, questioning their faith. Tensions rise when officials arrive to arrest Elizabeth, citing evidence of witchcraft linked to the puppet. Mary confesses the puppet is hers, but the officials refuse to believe her. Furious, John vows to confront the court and expose Abigail despite the risk to his reputation.
Act III: The Courtroom
In court, Proctor presents evidence that Abigail and the girls are lying. He submits a deposition signed by villagers attesting to the innocence of Elizabeth, Rebecca Nurse, and others. However, Judge Danforth dismisses it, claiming witchcraft defies ordinary evidence. Proctor also confesses to his affair with Abigail to prove her motives.
When questioned, Elizabeth denies the affair to protect John, unintentionally undermining his testimony. Abigail and the girls feign being bewitched by Mary, who panics and accuses John of conspiring with the devil. Proctor is arrested, and Reverend Hale, disillusioned by the court’s injustice, quits the proceedings.
Act IV: Tragic Resolution
Salem descends into chaos, with many jailed and awaiting execution. Abigail, fearing rebellion, steals money from Parris and flees. Reverend Hale, now guilt-ridden, urges the accused to confess falsely to save their lives. John Proctor struggles with his decision, torn between saving himself and maintaining his integrity.
Ultimately, John confesses but retracts his statement, refusing to live with a lie. He is executed alongside Rebecca Nurse and others. Elizabeth, though devastated, admires John’s moral courage, recognizing his decision as an act of redemption.
The play ends with Salem in ruin, its leaders discredited, and its people scarred by the hysteria and injustice of the trials.
Expert Q&A
Why did Arthur Miller write about the Salem Witch Trials in 1952?
Arthur Miller wrote about the Salem Witch Trials in 1952 to draw a parallel to the McCarthy hearings, which targeted alleged communists in the U.S. government without substantial evidence. This political statement highlighted the hysteria and lack of due process in both events. Like the witch trials, those accused during McCarthy's era faced public fear and pressure to name others, leading to ruined lives. Miller's The Crucible served as a critique of such unjust practices.
Why did Arthur Miller delete the final scene between John Proctor and Abigail in The Crucible?
Arthur Miller deleted the final scene between John Proctor and Abigail to prevent the audience from sympathizing with Abigail. In the scene, Abigail's possible madness is revealed, which might evoke sympathy, undermining Miller's intent to portray her as wholly culpable for her actions. Abigail represents Senator Joseph McCarthy, and Miller wanted her to be seen as fully aware and responsible for the chaos she incites, paralleling McCarthy's role in the anti-Communist witch hunts.
What might be Miller's purpose behind giving The Crucible a tragic ending, apart from making it more memorable and moving?
Miller's tragic ending in The Crucible serves as a critique of American politics during the McCarthy era, highlighting the dangers of political corruption and the misuse of power. It reflects the historical tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials, emphasizing the destructive consequences of fear and irrationality. The ending underscores the moral victory of John Proctor, who regains self-respect, while also serving as a warning about the potential for history to repeat itself if vigilance is not maintained.
Why did Miller struggle to depict The Crucible's characters as they were in real life?
Miller struggled to depict the characters in "The Crucible" as they were in real life because the play was written 261 years after the actual Salem witch trials, making direct observation impossible. He relied on historical documents and references for his research. Additionally, character creation is inherently challenging for writers, as it involves deciding how much information to reveal, when to reveal it, and through what means, such as dialogue or character interactions.
Arthur Miller's purpose for writing The Crucible
Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible to draw parallels between the Salem witch trials and the McCarthy-era anti-communist hearings. He aimed to highlight the dangers of hysteria, false accusations, and the erosion of civil liberties, using historical events to critique contemporary political practices and the impact of mass fear on society.
Arthur Miller's life and its influence on The Crucible
Arthur Miller's life significantly influenced The Crucible. His experiences during the McCarthy era, where he witnessed the destructive power of hysteria and false accusations, shaped the play's themes. Miller drew parallels between the Salem witch trials and the Red Scare, using his work to critique the irrational fear and paranoia that characterized both periods.
McCarthyism's Influence in "The Crucible"
Arthur Miller's The Crucible serves as an allegory for McCarthyism, reflecting the paranoia and baseless accusations during the 1950s Red Scare led by Senator Joseph McCarthy. Miller, inspired by his own experiences with the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), uses the Salem witch trials to critique the era's hysteria and misuse of power. The play highlights themes of fear, authority, and persecution, paralleling the witch hunt for Communists with the historical witch trials, illustrating the destructive impact of fear-mongering and unfounded accusations.
Arthur Miller's engagement with the audience and his critique of American society in The Crucible
Arthur Miller engages the audience in The Crucible by drawing parallels between the Salem witch trials and the McCarthyism era, critiquing the hysteria and unjust persecution prevalent in American society. Through the characters' moral dilemmas and the community's descent into chaos, Miller highlights the dangers of mass hysteria, the abuse of power, and the consequences of societal pressures.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
