The Crucible

The Crucible By Arthur Miller is an interesting story based on the Salem witch trials. The characters in the Crucible have allot of inner and outer conflicts with themselves and each other. Many of the characters in the story show that dying with honor is better than living with guilt.

The Crucible has many themes. One of the central themes in my opinion is greed. Many of the characters in the story like Thomas Putnam, show large amounts of greed. Putnam was caught being greedy when Giles Corey announced in court, "My proof is there. If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property - that's law! And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbors for their land."(1228) Abigail Williams is another character who shows a large amount of greediness though out the story. Abigail tells many greedy lies like when she said, "It were Ms. Procter who stuck two inches in the flesh of my belly."(1215) Greed is one of the main problems because it fuels the witch accusations and in tern causes the deaths of many.

Another one of the central themes is fear. Giles Corey shows his fear of the court when he pleads, "I cannot give you no name, sir, I cannot."(1228) Not only were the people of Salem afraid of the court, the court was afraid of the people. This is shown when Parris scram, "This is a clear attack upon the court!" Due to the mass hysteria of witches during the Salem witch trials. Fear is a strong central theme that fueled many of the ruthless actions of the people in the town as well as the court officials.

Throughout The Crucible many of the characters show great pride when faced with death. John Proctor shows a great deal of pride when he yells in court," You will not use me! I am no Sarah Good or Tituba, I am John Proctor! You will not use me!"(1255) Evan after Procter is sentenced to death he still shows pride in wanting to die with