The Crucible By William Miller

1207 Words5 Pages
There were many important themes and symbols that I noticed were crucial in Miller’s The Crucible. One theme that was evident in the play was prejudice or intolerance. The play is set in a theocratic society, a form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, the God 's or deity 's laws being interpreted by the ecclesiastical authorities. Religion then becomes a strict, severe form of Protestantism or Puritanism. Because of the governmental structure this society, moral and state laws in turn become one and the same: sin and the status of one’s soul becomes the concern of the public. In other words, an individual’s actions and deeds is a reflection on their society. This society does not accept any deviation from the norms of society. Any individual whose life doesn’t conform to views and laws of this society not only affects or threatens public or society, but also poses a threat to the rule of God and true religion. To my understanding of the play, in the town of Salem, everything and everyone either belongs to God or to the devil. If an individual rejects the established laws of their society. Then this act is considered unlawful, meaning that the act of opposition against your society is viewed as satanic or devilish. This division or disagreement functions as the deep rooted logic behind the witch trials. As Danforth says in Act III, “a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it.” The witch trials represent and
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