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The Changes Proctor and Hale Go Through as the Play Progresses

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The Changes Proctor and Hale Go Through as the Play Progresses

In this play I will be analysing the changes that Proctor and Reverend Hale go through.

'The Crucible' is a tragic play that reflects the 1692 Salem witchcraft trials which contemplates the key figures caught up in the persecution. It powerfully portrays people and principles under pressure.

"The Crucible" is a cross between a parable and an allegory. Miller wrote the Crucible in 1953 during the McCarthy period when Americans were accusing each other of pro-communist beliefs. Many of Millers friends were being attacked as communists, and in 1956, Miller himself was brought before the house of Un-American Activities committee …show more content…

At the beginning of the play, he was a respectable man in the village who had a reputation of being strong and powerful. As the play progresses, his name is lost in the village but his faith is gained. Proctors first stage of development is after he left Abigail, where he becomes more loyal and considerate towards his wife Elizabeth. This begins when Abigail insults his wife by saying:

'A sickly wife…'

He does not accept her criticism so he calls her a 'child' which upsets her. He defends his wife and makes it clear to Abigail that he does not want her, this shows that he has become more loyal.

After this he returned to his wife and tried to make conversation, but when he realised that his wife still does not trust him, even after he told Abigail he did not want anything from her he became angry and hurt:

''spare me! You forget nothin' and forgive nothin' ''

''no more I should of roared you down when first you told me your suspicion. But I wilted, and, like a Christian, I confessed.''

Proctor and his wife were never good with words; they did not talk a lot as the conversation in the beginning of act two is very cold and distant with short replies. This is something that changes as the play continues: when Hale brings news that Elizabeth is accused of witchcraft, the two become closer and Proctor begins to prove

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