A death sentence is not a typical punishment for an accusation with no evidence. However, Arthur Miller’s novel, The Crucible, is not a typical situation. In this novel there is a series of trials taking place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. These trials are debating cases of witchcraft, all of which are commenced by simple accusations with no physical evidence. The majority of defendants are accused by Abigail Williams and her group of friends. Religion, being one of, if not the most important aspect of every Salemite’s life at the time of this story, is used by Arthur Miller as a major catalyst in the progression of events in The Crucible.
Religion can be seen playing a role in the events of The Crucible when a focus is put on John Proctor’s insufficient religious commitment, which separates him from the rest of the village. Proctor’s religious infidelity is characterized by three main components, the first of which being his irregular church attendance. Reverend Hale speaks
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The timing of this event seems peculiar, almost as though Abigail is using this religious mirage as a scapegoat to get out of being questioned. She also uses religious as an escape route in the sense that she acts as though she centers her life around religion, which wins over the opinions of many Salemites. Towards the end of act 1, Abigail begins to speak about her desire to become a more religious individual and says, “I want to open myself! They turn to her, startled. She is enraptured, as though in a pearly light. I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus!” (Crucible, 1.54.2-5). Through this display of religious aspiration, Abigail is able to convince others that she is trustworthy, or at least more trustworthy than any of those who oppose her. Without using the tool of religion, which is a commonality amongst all Salemites, Abigail would be hard pressed to find a comparable medium of