The Crucible

The play The Crucible by Arthur Miller shows the way that ones personal motives can affect others far beyond what is expected. Much of what takes place in the story is due to the feelings of a select few members in the community. The three most influential characters are John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail. The entire community is forever affected by an underlying conflict between these three people. This play is proof that one should not let their own feelings affect their better judgment when in control of another’s life.

When John Proctor accused Abigail of breaking rules she sees the perfect chance to finally steal her lover away from his wife. She convinces the other girls in the town to pretend they are afflicted by spirits of the other women in the town. Her goal in this is to accuse John’s wife Elizabeth of witchcraft and to have her hanged. However this plan quickly spirals out of control when she many other women are accused and also hanged. Instead of confessing her lies, Abigail runs away to escape persecution.

John Proctor is equally guilty in all of this. Not only for the fact that he cheated on his wife in the first place and led on a young, impressionable girl, but also because he has the chance to stop everything and does nothing. When Abigail confesses that she is lying about the witchcraft, instead of telling the other town members, he ignores it because he does not want to let his wife know that he was alone with Abigail. Because of his cowardice, many innocent people are accused and killed, including his self.

Elizabeth Proctor is also guilty in her own way. When given the change to confess to the court that her husband cheated on her, therefore freeing herself and discrediting Abigail, she lies and says nothing. Although she does this out of love for her husband and the fear that he will be in trouble with the court, it still affects the others in the town. Had she told the truth, Abigail