Changes In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

A person can change in many ways. Sometimes it is radical, drastic, and unpredictable, others may go through a more gradual and subtle change; nevertheless, all are important and shape a person into who they are. Throughout The Crucible many characters go through life altering experiences that change the way they react in certain situations. The Crucible is a play written by Arthur Miller that portrays these changes in different ways for different characters. For some it is very obvious they have changed and others go through a quieter change over time. All characters are affected by the situation going on in Salem; considering hanging people for a crime they did not commit is a serious matter. Miller shows the change of character different

Throughout the play, John is haunted by one of his bad decisions in the past and decides that lies will keep him safe. He makes sure that no one will ever know his secret and intends to keep it that way until Abby threatens to tell the court about their affair. Initially, John tells her, “Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby.”. She responds to him with “Aye, but we did.” he says “Aye, but we did not.” (Miller, 24). This conversation shows how deeply he regrets his decisions and hopes that he can cover it up so that no one will ever find out. Once Abby is angry she threatens to tell the entire community of Salem in order to get what she wants. This is when he realizes that no one will believe him unless he tells the full truth. He cannot hide this secret anymore and he must tell the court himself. Danforth says to Proctor, “You will prove this! This will not pass!” Proctor replies, (trembling, his life collapsing about him.) “I have known her, sir. I have known her.” Danforth, “You-you are a leacher?” (Miller, 115). This is the turning point, he goes on to tell them about his affair and let it all go. He realizes only the truth will set him free and he tries to keep it that way for the rest of the play. This kind of a change is only brought about by desperate measures, Proctor, in his eyes, ruins his life with his own actions. This is the self-pride and high morals of John