The word “crucible” has three main meanings: “A porcelain container used for melting substances that require a large amount of heat”, a “severe test”, and a “place/situation where concentrated forces interact to cause change or development.” All of these definitions can be applied to the themes present in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller.
In many ways, the town of Salem became a crucible for its inhabitants. When faced with harsh circumstances, many of the characters are forced to face internal struggles that put their beliefs to the test. For example, those accused of witchcraft had two choices: either confess, and live with the shame of everyone thinking they had worked for the devil, or plead innocence and be executed. This means that the people who felt they couldn’t go against their morals were the most likely to die for something they hadn’t done. In Act II, when Reverend Hale and John Proctor are having a discussion, Hale says that many people have confessed, so it must be true that they have had dealings with the devil. Proctor replies by saying “Why not, if they must hang for denyin’ it?” This shows how unfair the trials were, that innocent people would rather die than be thought of as witches.
Small town
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It all started when Elizabeth Proctor fired her after finding out about Abigail’s affair with her husband, John Proctor. Abigail began to resent Elizabeth, and wanted to get rid of her so that she could be with John. After pretending to have visions of seeing people with the devil, Abigail eventually accused Elizabeth, but of course after accusing countless others so that people wouldn’t suspect she only wanted Elizabeth gone. However, Elizabeth immediately knew Abigail’s motives after she found out that she was accused. In Act II, she says to John “She’d dare not call out such a farmer’s wife but there be monstrous profit in it. She thinks to take my