The Crucible

The Crucible

According to the Encarta® World English Dictionary, a definition for the word crucible is a place or set of circumstances where people or things are subjected to forces that test them and often make them change. In the drama The Crucible by Arthur Miller, various citizens of Salem, Massachusetts face the witch trials. Victims were tried and convicted based on only spectral evidence. John Proctor, Giles Corey, and Reverend Hale were a few among the many that went through these severe tests, hardships and trials.

John Proctor's wife; Elizabeth Proctor, was accused of witchery and sent to prison. John loves his wife and tries to save her and all of the other accused women. His crucible is the Salem Court because Proctor has to prove that all of the 'witches' were innocent to an over-confident judge like Danforth without a lawyer or much knowledge of the law. During the trial, he discovers that his wife is pregnant and she will not be hanged for another year. He chooses to continue with the trial because he still needs to free the other prisoners. In order to do so, Proctor brought Mary Warren to explain to the court that there were never any spirits or witch craft. When his plan backfires, Proctor confesses about his affair with Abigail Williams, Hoping to discredit her and to let everyone know that she is a whore and that she only wants Elizabeth Proctor dead so she can take her place as John's wife. Both attempts fail and Proctor is taken to the dungeon. He is later offered to save his life by confessing to wizardry. He signs the papers, but when he hears that it will be posted up on the church door; he tears it up. He refuses to sign himself to lies, but to die with dignity and goodness. In the court of law, Proctor has failed the test because he failed to save his life, but in the court of God, he has passed because he confessed about his adultery and refused to lie.

Giles Corey's wife has been convicted of witchcraft and sent to jail. In act three, he storms into the court saying that he has evidence to prove that his wife is innocent. His crucible is much like Proctor's; the court. Giles claims to have heard someone say that Mr. Putnam has forced his daughter to cry out John Jacobs's name and charge him for witchery. If Jacobs hangs, then all of his land will be sold to Putnam. Putnam would be killing his neighbor's for their land. Judge Hathorne asks for this person's name, but Giles refuses to give it to him. "You know well why not! He'll lay in jail if I give his name!" -Giles, 214. Because Giles did not give a name, Danforth charges him for contempt of a hearing and he was sent to jail. Giles goes through another crucible when the court was trying to get him to answer is indictment. He didn't answer is indictment so his sons could inherit his property, because if he denied the charges of the court then his property would've been auctioned away. Giles was later