Examples Of Injustice In The Crucible

“As the Cold War intensified between the United States and Soviet Union during the late 1940s through early 1950s, there was mass hysteria over the threat communism poised here in the United States. The House Un-American Activities Committee, led by Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, investigated allegations between government and Hollywood industries” (Lavanture para 1). When Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible, he wanted to show readers the injustice delivered when both groups of people are placed in a vulnerable position. In The Crucible, the girls that thought to be “possessed” by the devil are regarded as sufficient evidence to continue accusations, showing injustice because the girls were seen as victims of a horrible crime when there was no such

However, Judge Danforth believes that since there can be no witnesses to the devil’s presence, the girls must be telling the truth. When a devil is present to a victim, the victim only sees the spirit whereas if other people are present in the room, the devil cannot be seen. In a conversation with Reverend Hale, John Proctor states, “If she is innocent! Why do you never wonder if Parris be innocent, or Abigail? Is the accuser always holy now? Were they born this morning as clean as God's fingers?” (II.73). This quote is significant because in the trials, the judges believe that Abigail and the rest of the victims are telling the truth because they are their own witnesses. John Proctor in this quote raises the point that it is injustice because although there have been multiple pieces of evidence against witchcraft, there has been nothing to back up Abigail and the other girls’ claims. The girls can perhaps be hallucinating and therefore there is no evidence that the devil is present. Abigail can be possibly motivated to “see” the devil for personal gains because in the court, Abigail Williams accuses John Proctors wife, Elizabeth Proctor. The only reason why Abigail indicts her is because she is madly in love with John Proctor and sees John’s wife as an obstacle to getting John for herself. Thus, the trials present the perfect opportunity for Abigail to get rid of Elizabeth Proctor

Both Judge Hawthorne and Danforth are seen as “heroes” to the town for discover who has committed witchcraft in Salem. In the beginning of the trials, people believed that there were actual witch trials in Salem and with the help of these men; Salem is purified from dark spirits. Judge Hawthorne and Danforth have a predetermined faith for the victims because they believe that the victims themselves are sufficient evidence to accuse the person of witchcraft. Arthur Miller’s purpose of the characterization of Judge Hawthorne and Danforth highlights his response towards the “Red Scare,” which was the dominance of communism ruling the United States during the 1950s. During this time period, the United States Congress indicted Arthur Miller for aiding other communists in a takeover of