The Crucible

Evan Ferree

Thibadeau/ English/ 11th

10/21/04

Although the sole basis of the Salem Witch Trials was deception, there were still the few skeptics who found hope of truth during the fabricated ordeals. The Crucible is a play by Arthur Miller that depicts the dramatized happenings of the Salem Witch Trials during the time of the McCarthy trials. In Miller's play, the character Elizabeth Proctor is one of the only characters in the whole play who is associated with the truth in a time of delusion. The honest and loyal attributes of Elizabeth allow her to represent the truth throughout the pandemonium of the trials.

Elizabeth Proctor's continued loyalty to John throughout the play displays her acceptance of the truth. After questioning Proctor about the conditions of Abigail's dismissal, Elizabeth lies to the judge in order to save her husband (223). The character of Elizabeth Proctor is constantly associated with the truth, so when she lies in order to protect her husband she is demonstrating extreme loyalty to him. Not only does this illustrate her loyalty to John but also the sacrifice of her own beliefs in order to protect him. After John has been arrested and is faced with the choice to lie and be spared, or stand his ground and be hanged, Elizabeth tells Proctor, "Do what you will. But let none be your judge. There be no higher judge under heaven than Proctor is"(236). By telling John to stand by his decision regardless of outside opinion, she is also demonstrating loyalty to both John and his decisions. Not only did Elizabeth show her association with the truth by her loyalty to John but also with her suspicion of John and her inquisitions for the truth.

Elizabeth's suspicion toward John's relationship with Abigail shows her desire for the truth. After Elizabeth catches John in a lie about his time spent with Abigail, he tells Elizabeth that, "I'll not have your suspicion anymore"(193). This statement shows John's observations of Elizabeth's suspicion into his relationship with Abigail even after the dismissal of her from their house. Despite the fact that John resents her suspicion, this still exemplifies her sought of the truth. I act four Elizabeth tells John, "Suspicion