Metaphors In The Crucible

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The Crucible is a play written by Arthur Miller about the witch trials that occurred in Salem, Massachusetts during 1692. In the play Miller uses metaphors, dramatic irony, and symbolism in order to convey the reoccurring theme that mass hysteria causes distrust among communities.
Throughout the play Miller uses metaphors in several occasions. In Act II Reverend Hale says to John Proctor, “Theology, sir is a fortress; no crack in a fortress may be considered small,” (64). The fortress Hale speaks of is the Christian religion, and the hysteria about witches is causing chaos within the church community. Hale is a black arts expert, so when he said this, it caused people to question if the foundation they had built around

This quote could be translated in many different ways, but perhaps Miller wanted it to portray that at the time if you were of Christian faith your fortress had to be built around God, and if there were any doubts, that would lead to an opportunity for the Devil to take control. Another example of a metaphor in the play is in Act IV when Reverend Parris says to the judges, “There be a faction here, feeding on that news, and I tell you true, sir, I fear there will be riot here,” (127). At the time, Reverend Parris, is saying this in order to voice his concerns that the hangings should be postponed. Reverend Parris shares his apprehensions because he doesn’t know if what they’re doing is right anymore. He’s becoming suspicious because so many people who hold weight in the town are being accused of witchcraft.

In Act III Judge Danforth says, “I have seen marvels in this court. I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits; I have seen them stuck by pins and slashed by daggers,” (91). Currently Judge Danforth still believes Abigail to be truthful. Danforth believing her relates directly back to the theme, because even the mass hysteria affects the judge. The community has many problems, but the whole town is blaming them on Satan and witchcraft. Judge Danforth wants to believe Abigail so that he can have answers for the people of Salem. Also, another situation in Act III that included dramatic irony was when Judge Danforth asked Elizabeth, “Why did you dismiss Abigail Williams?” and Elizabeth replies, “She- dissatisfied me (pause) And my husband,” (112). When Elizabeth was asked this, she wasn’t aware that her husband had already admitted that he committed the unimaginable crime of adultery. Elizabeth, being the honorable wife that she is, lied for her husband John causing all hell to break loose in the courtroom. By telling a lie about her husband’s actions, Elizabeth discredits John’s confession and makes Abigail look like she is telling the truth. If Elizabeth would have answered truthfully, it could have changed the entire path of the trial. Her answer now makes her husband look like a liar, and Abigail’s bizarre story even more believable. In the end, Elizabeth didn’t want to ruin her husband’s