The Crucible Marriage Analysis

A Marriage in Shambles

When a marriage is consummated, vows of commitment and persevering through both sickness and health are considered key aspects. However, many people choose to forego these vows years later, through actions such as adultery. As a result, these relationships are oftentimes “put on the rocks”, and later terminated. Yet in certain situations, people choose to preserve through it and commitment is put to the test. In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, the two main characters, Elizabeth and John Proctor, clearly face a struggle of intentions. For example, John oftentimes attempts to rekindle the marriage, while Elizabeth clearly suspects that there are underlying issues such as lying, as well as the possibility of adultery with another character named Abagail. For example, when smelling his wife’s cooking he “takes a pinch of salt, and drops it into the pot”, to avoid hurting her feelings. Then, while eating, Proctor proclaims “It’s well seasoned” to give her a sense of pleasure and compliment (Miller 48). Examples as such clearly indicate that John is attempting to foster their strained relationship, and it also still evident that it is on the verge

One of these issues is that she often catches John lying to her face, and decidedly goes past him to catch them. For example, when being questioned about his whereabouts, John states, “Why? I have no business in Salem”, and is rebuked with the statement “Mary Warren’s there today” (Proctor 49). This is just one example of him being caught in his own lie. Actions as such bring up the issue that while he tries to foster the marriage, John is also repeatedly lying to her and continuously being caught. In word such as “I think you’re sad again. Are you?” , there is clearly a discord portrayed in the marriage, and a sense of distance in between the couple (Miller