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Greed And Evil In Arthur Miller's The Crucible

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Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is a play that takes place in the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts in the year 1692. The play begins with young girls performing a ritual in the woods to get the guys they like to fall in love with them. After they are caught, the situation spirals out of control as the presiding church officials begin trials to hang the alleged witches that plague Salem. Abigail Williams, one of the girls, accuses Elizabeth Proctor of being a witch in order to have her killed because she feels envy towards what Elizabeth has with her husband John Proctor, a farmer. Abigail uses the situation to her advantage to rid herself of Elizabeth so that she can finally be with John, despite the him telling Abigail that they will no longer have anything together. As the trials go on, John sees with increasing horror how the citizens’ and judges’ blind faith are bringing ruin to the town in their complete belief that the girls are telling the truth, despite lack of proof. Throughout the play, the character of different citizens are put to the test as the girls increasingly accuse more and more of the townies of being in league with the devil. The Crucible explores themes of envy, infidelity, greed, resolve, and fanaticism, among others. The tale of Reverend John Hale’s actions in Salem is a clear testament to why The Crucible, the test, is an appropriate title for the play.

John Hale, in the play referred to as Reverend Hale, was a minister who came to Salem
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