Perhaps the most important message that Arthur Miller is trying to get across to the reader in The Crucible has to do with the need for good people to challenge corrupt authority and stand against injustice, even if it costs those people their lives or reputations. John Proctor and Reverend Hale fail to do this until it is too late, and many innocent lives are lost, including Proctor's own, as a result of their delay in speaking out.

Proctor's quote signifies his recognition of his own goodness and redemption. Throughout the play, Proctor is burdened by guilt for his past sins. By refusing to falsely confess and choosing to die with honor, he believes he redeems himself and upholds the truth, challenging the corrupt court. This act allows him to finally see a "shred of goodness" in himself.

The quote reveals Reverend Hale's transformation from a confident intellectual to a guilt-ridden figure recognizing his role in the tragedy of Salem. Initially, Hale arrives with pride in his religious expertise, eager to root out witchcraft. However, witnessing the hysteria and injustice, he begins questioning his beliefs and methods. The significance lies in Hale's realization of the destructive power of blind faith and his complicity, ultimately leading him to value truth and moral integrity over ritualistic duty.

In The Crucible, one reason why Proctor's name is so important is because he doesn't want his descendants to have a bad reputation. He doesn't want them to have to live with the shame of having a self-confessed witch for an ancestor, even if the confession in question was a false one.

Miller's quote highlights the crucial role of individual conscience in preventing societal collapse during mass hysteria, as depicted in The Crucible. In the play, and during the McCarthy era it allegorizes, most people avoided speaking out against injustice, leading to widespread persecution. Those few who did, like John Proctor and Reverend Hale, acted too late. Miller suggests that moral courage is essential to counteract the destructive power of fear and prejudice in such situations.

Reverend Hale's quote reflects his belief in executing his duties only when the evidence is "immaculate," meaning beyond any doubt. This underscores his conviction that such proof justifies taking a life, revealing a fundamental flaw in his character. As the events in Salem unfold, Hale realizes that the "proof" accepted by the court may not meet his standard. This quote marks the beginning of his doubt about the legitimacy of the trials and the evidence presented.

The statement about Proctor's "goodness" signifies his embrace of his true identity and rejection of deception in The Crucible. By refusing to sign a false confession, Proctor asserts his moral integrity, seeking redemption and defending his dignity against hypocrisy in Salem. His admiration for Corey's honorable death inspires him to protect his own name, representing a triumph over internal and external "dogs" that threaten his integrity.

The sacrifices of characters like John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, and Martha Corey in "The Crucible" contributed to ending the Salem witch trials by turning public sentiment against them. Their integrity and refusal to confess highlighted the hysteria and injustice, eventually leading to societal reflection and apologies. While dying for principles is subjective, their actions underscored the importance of integrity and the dangers of mass hysteria, showing that their deaths were not in vain.

John Proctor’s perception of a morally righteous person affects his decision to tear up the confession because it is Elizabeth who points out to him that he has not confessed yet and that it does not matter if she forgives his sins against her if he will not forgive himself.

The quote "Do that which is good, and no harm shall come to thee" in The Crucible signifies the belief that moral integrity and righteous behavior will protect individuals. However, the play's events ironically contradict this, as characters who act morally often face dire consequences, highlighting the flawed justice and the hysteria of the Salem witch trials.