The Crucible by Arthur Miller Essay

The year 1692 is remembered as one of the most scandalous times in American History. Throughout the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, over a hundred people were accused of practicing witchcraft (the majority of them being women). 14 women were hung, and 5 men were accused leading to a total of 19 people dying due to these trials. One man was even pressed to death by substantial weights for declining to enter a plea (Linder 1). No less than eight individuals passed on in jail, including one baby and one child; and more than one hundred and fifty people were imprisoned while anticipating trial. The primary reasons for the witch trials were clashes over managing governmental issues, religion, family, financial aspects, and apprehensions of the citizens. The Salem Witch Trials reflect the harsh and rigid judgements of the Puritans and citizens of Salem. It is one of the most intriguing story in American History.

The Salem Witch Trials offer an excellent opportunity for members of the community to act on their desires to get revenge.

DISCUSS THE ROLE THAT GRUDGES AND PERSONAL RIVALRIES PLAY IN THE WITCH-TRIAL HYSTERIA There were many grudges and rivalries in the town of Salem, rumors and speculation rampant. The heavy weight of religion only amplified suppressed feelings and emotions. The biggest and most impactful of these rivalries was Abigail’s jealousy with Elizabeth and lust for John Proctor. Another significant rivalry was less direct between two people and more towards many others. This was Thomas Putnam’s hunger for land and wealth.

Lying by the accusers and the belief in lies by adults of Salem due to ongoing class and land struggles were all prevalent causes of the 1692 Salem Witch Trial hysteria. The young female accusers possibly due to a lack of power under the older married women were motivated to accused those older women of witchcraft. Not only did the girls lie in their accusations, they were also given power to continue doing so by the belief of Salem’s adults. This belief was backed by the struggles of the west and the want for better land in the east where the majority of the accused lived. The people of Salem had their own wants for their actions causing accusations that were random in nature due to the absence of actual proof of witchcraft. These motivations caused a hysteria on both sides from fear of being accused and others succumbing to the stress and possession of

 The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, is a play that takes place in the sixteen nineties during the famous but tragic witch trials. The entire community is in pandemonium yet certain characters are also fighting internal conflicts. Miller uses three characters that manifest this internal battle ever so clearly: Mary Warren whose whole world turns upside down, John Proctor who must weigh the importance of his family against his reputation and Reverend Hale who must decide whether to do his job, or do what he knows to be right. 

The book, Crucible is the source behind this essay based on the incidents which happened in the town of Salem in 1692. The happenings in this point of history is most popularly known as “The Salem Witch Trials.” The author of this book wrote this because of his involvement in the Cold War when he was accused of things he either did or did not do. What happened in his life during the Cold War is parallel to the characters in the town of Salem when they are accused and brought before a court to determine their innocence and interaction with the Devil. From observing the Crucible by Arthur Miller the cause of the Salem Witch Trials is stupidity and an insecurity to hold a good reputation; selfishness found on three accounts: the church/court, John Proctor, and Abigail.

This paper discusses the human traits that Puritans portray in the Salem witch trials which are manipulation, desires, and motives. It analyzes six resources on research conducted on motives, manipulation and on The Crucible. The articles all have the same views on motivations and manipulation. Character Motivations in The Crucible (n.d) talk about three main characters and their background as well as the role that they played in the events leading to the witch trials. They explain how Abigail Williams desires to gain social status, gain power, and to be with John Proctor motivated her to manipulate others to achieve her desires. In Human Motivation in the Crucible (n.d) it talks about Abigail Williams as well but it also continues to discuss the role that Thomas Putnam played in the events leading to the Salem witch trials and it gives a bit of information on Giles Corey. In this paper it describes how desires lead to the motivation of manipulation during the time of the Salem witch trials.

In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the belief of witchcraft held poisonous consequences as accusations increase to devour the entire village. Since the Salem witch trials started, they heavily influenced the people and town of Salem. People of Salem were accused of being a witch on poor evidence. Such accusations of being a witch sacrificed many human lives. Even though the people of Salem realized that they were murdering the innocent, it does not make up for their deaths. The Puritan community of Salem became gripped with mass hysteria over activities that they believed to be witchcraft. It started with a strong belief system towards God but ended with on an irrational note. The death of the many witches cannot be justified by the mere

One of many reasons that greed is a driver to do terrible things is that Hugo was greedy and wanted the maiden because he, “loved,” her. The women did not love him. So, “Hugo … stole down upon the farm and carried off the maiden,”(14) because he was selfish. This proves that greed can drive people to do cruel, and awful things. Also Sir Hugo, “ brought her to the Hall,”(14) and

It is extremely difficult to imagine witches different than an ugly woman wearing a pointed hat, flying on broomsticks, especially when even the dictionary defines witches this way. As one of the representative symbols of Halloween, witches have always been associated with the Halloween festivity that initiates ebullience in the modern person. Back in the year of 1692, witches were also the cynosure of Salem, Massachusetts. The negative light that was casted on witches instigated an atrocious image of them. The reaction of Salem Village’s residents was completely irrational when they penalized the accused of capital punishment. The strange behavior of the children originated from their craving for attention. Then, the Puritans’ strong belief in God added to the controversy and caused them to believe that Satan was related with these witches. The competition between the east and west side of the village generated unintentional emotions of greed and jealousy for the less successful. Although others may claim to different causes of the Salem witch trials, several evidence directly points to the fact that this hysteria was ultimately engendered by the economic and political difference between Salem’s residents and the food poisoning produced by ergot.

was trying to bring himself to power and wealth, simple as that. He manipulates the people of

His motive was not only because he despised the

Each antagonist requires motivation when they are committing heinous crimes. The King and the Duke receive their livelihood through the lies and crimes they commit. In order to continuously commit these awful acts there has to be a driving source, which in this case is greed. Greed drives the King and the Duke to do acts that are harmful to

He might have had some different motives that were not specified in the movie or he might have even been taking into account what would be best for everyone around him, we just can’t know if his intentions were good or bad.

The Salem Witch Trials in 1692 is noted as the largest tragedy of America’s colonial period, and it is also noted as the period of time when accusations of witchcraft was the most frightening for the villagers. The Salem Witch trials created a community of fear, where neighbors would turn against each other, paranoid of witchcraft. Consequently, innocent people were accused and convicted of witchcraft with outrageous, flimsy evidence given to the court by others. 3 main reasons that caused the Salem Witch Trials in 1692 were people’s marital status and gender, conflicts between neighbors, and young girls acting for public attention.