Themes In The Crucible

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The Crucible covers many themes including betrayal, forgiveness, and a lack of judgement. The Crucible is a novel written by Arthur Miller. It is historical fiction, the names, dates, and ages of the characters have been changed but the events that occurred are accurate. The main protagonist, Abigail Williams creates conflict in the the small theocratic town of Salem Massachusetts. Abigail Williams is driven by lust, she uses witchcraft to distract the people in Salem to get the attention of a John Proctor. More girls join in the crying out. More and more characters see how witchcraft and accusing others of it is like placing the blame on them. The People of Salem, Massachusetts use the act of crying out to be forgiven for their sins, they …show more content…
In the novel, The Crucible the marital problems between John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor showcase betrayal. Arthur Miller describes Proctor as a man who is held in high regard. “ He is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own vision of decent conduct” (Miller 19). John commits the act of Adultery with the Reverend’s daughter, Abigail Williams. To go against morals that Proctor applies to himself and the morals of others he is betraying his own beliefs and the trust of between his wife. When John visits Salem and sees Abby, he lies about his whereabouts later to Elizabeth Proctor. Proctor says instead that he was out late plowing the fields. He feels the need to lie to his wife because if he tells her the truth, problems will ensue and it will not be good for him. During Act Two in the novel, Miller creates an environment between Proctor and Elizabeth that is considered uncomfortable, the audience can identify the lack of trust and suspicion that replaces it. Elizabeth soons discovers John’s betrayal of their trust and she is hurt, Miller stipulates his emotions as “ suddenly lost all faith in him”( Miller 51). Towards the end of the book in Act 4, Proctor confesses his sins to Elizabeth he tells her “ My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man” ( Miller 126). John wants to be forgiven for betraying the trust and the marriage between Elizabeth. To ask for forgiveness is followed when there is dishonesty and
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