Morals In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

Introduction

In Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, Mary Warren, Abigail Williams, and Tituba are instrumental in spreading the hysteria that resulted in the Salem Witch Trials. The word “Salem," is in close relation to “witchcraft," "hanging" and “hysteria" when mentioned. Many are shocked and appalled by the seeming complete lack of justice and sanity that occurred during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, when nineteen individuals were put to their death for crimes they did not commit (Novel Guide).

Witchcraft was introduced when a group of girls were caught dancing in the woods by Betty’s father, Revered Parris. When caught, Betty pretended to faint in the woods and remained in a coma like state for a couple days because she was scared. He

Puritanism is a way of life that was first introduced in the 16th and 17th century. It was very strict, and dignified, including harsh discipline and important moral values to follow, as well as a united religion. Everyone had to lookout for one another and was opted to come forth if one was not following the Puritan way. The superstition that many Puritans believed in is represented through Reverend Parris. He insists to Abigail that “if you trafficked with spirits in the forest I must know, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it” (Miller 11). Parris was not only concerned about the witches, but was terrified that his reputation will be ruined as well. This example also leads to another aspect of Puritan society that affected the plot. The Puritan people were very closely knit, meaning that everyone knew everyone else, and consequently, rumors spread quickly. This was why Reverend Parris needed to know “Who? Who? Their names, their names!” (Miller 51), so he could find someone to blame for the madness. The fear of witchcraft was so strong that even the decent Reverend John Hale, who was the most open minded of the characters, worried about its effect. He even had books in which there “…is all the invisible world, caught, defined, and calculated…the Devil stands stripped of all his brute disguises…we shall find him out if he has come among us…” (Miller

This fear is seen everywhere and it goes hand in hand with the idea of superstition. The Puritans believed that the Bible was God's true guidelines for pure living (CliffNotes). The polished church of the time explained that the effort of getting access to God was difficult and only possible within the surroundings of "church authority". Their objective was to attempt to "purify" the church and the lives that were associated with it. This caused a lot of taunting among others concerning their faith in God and how deeply they were dedicated. The Salem witch trials basically disintegrated the society and culture of the Massachusetts colony of 1693 (CliffNotes). There was no more trust, no more cooperation of the church and its people. It was everyone for themselves. Puritans also believed the Devil was as real as God. Everyone was faced with the struggle between the powers of good and evil, but Satan would select the weakest individuals like women and children, to carry out his work. Those who followed Satan were considered witches so witchcraft was one of the greatest crimes a person could commit; punishable by death. Puritans believed in witches and their ability do harm onto others. They defined witchcraft as entering into a compact with the devil in exchange for certain powers to do evil (Education). Because of this, witchcraft was considered a sin because it denied God’s supremacy and was a crime