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The Crucible Psychological Lens Essay

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The Crucible manifests the Purtianś ideology of witchery during the 1690s. Salem has several social factors throughout the town and essentially, the beliefs of witchcraft in Salem uprises chaos. When reading a play such as The Crucible, it becomes apparent that the conduct of Salem town during the witch trials are fearful, selfish, and prideful when it is viewed through the Psychological Lens. Throughout each act, these components are motivating factors behind actions during The Crucible. In particular, the vibe of the play starts brutal and strain. However, John Hale comes to Salem town as an optimistic character to end the supposed witchery. Putnam threatens Tituba to confess or else she would hang. Tituba then cries out “No, No, don’t hang Tituba! I tell him I don’t desire to work for him, sir.” (Miller 23) As an audience member, we could inference Tituba never conjured any spirits in the woods but why would she …show more content…

Throughout The Crucible, Abigail is the least complex character being straight forward selfish. On a side note, Puritan laws were very strict, especially when it comes to religion. Hence, Abigail took advantage of the witch trials so she would not reveal her affair with John Proctor. In other words, Abigail accused several others so she would not have to admit she committed the crime of adultery. Additionally, Proctor cries “Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby.” (Miller 15). Shortly after, John Hale accuses Abigail of being taken over by a Lucifer (Miller 23). Hence, Abigail accuses Tituba of sending her spirit during church and laughing during prayer (Miller 23). After proctors claim, this may have started a fire in Abigail’s heart creating a jealousy of Goody Proctor and it may have stirred up more selfishness after Abigail intentionally accuses

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Hale is elated to help and sees curing those who have been possessed as “a beloved errand” (36). Hale feels immense pride in himself for being the specialist with a unique knowledge that has at last been required by the people and even feels allied with the best minds of Europe. Therefor, when Hale arrives, he comes with “an armory of symptoms, catchwords and diagnostic procedures” (36) to heroically save the day. At first Hale maintains a professional stance on what is happening in the town rather than succumbing to the popular belief of witchcraft, cautioning the townspeople that “ [they] cannot look directly to superstition in this” (38). However, when Abigail mentions Tituba’s name he is quickly convinced that Tituba is a witch and compels her to provide the names of others that have bound themselves to the evil.

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When he first enters Salem it seems his head is held high with knowledge and determination, but he will not allow any conclusions to be made unless they are from his books that guide him through witchcraft cases. After Abigail reveals she did not see the devil, Hale immediately makes an accusation and suspiciously asks, “Why are you concealing? Have you sold yourself to Lucifer?” (Miller 1259). Because of Hale’s authority, Abigail becomes defensive and puts the blame on Tituba.

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Abigail still tried to provoke John by being provocative and inappropriate. “ Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut my hand off before I’ll ever reach for you again “ – (John Proctor, The Crucible) Although John’s statement was straightforward and blunt it still did not alter Abigail’s mind about him or her feelings towards him. Abigail even went so far as to accuse Elizabeth of witch craft.

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The play 'The Crucible' is set in the doctrinal society of Salem; a community that appeared to be religious but is poisoned by the wickedness of human nature. Such a society thrives on social reputation whilst seating the greatest amount of hypocrisy, intolerance and repression of individualism within it. These malignant manifestations reduces Salem to chaos and every character undergoes personal crucibles wherein their true character is revealed. The theocratic society of Salem pressured it's citizens to adhere to social conformity, regardless of how ludicrous or catastrophic they were.

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Truth and sacrifice The Crucible, by American author Arthur Miller, is a play about a parochial community stuck in a state of anarchy in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. A religious group known as Puritans lived in Salem at the time believed strongly in being subservient to the bible. A group of girls were caught dancing in the woods, and they would be posthaste to cover up themselves to make them seem immaculate, they started blaming others for their actions. The true innocents, the ones with a good name, end up hanging due to their value of truth. This play was written in 1952 during the period of the “Red Scare”.

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Upon first mention of Tituba’s affiliation with witchcraft Parris responds with utter disbelief saying “Now I am undone.” He refuses to believe that Tituba, a women with a reputation of low social status, could have any connection to such sorcery. However, throughout the play, Miller individualizes Tituba in terms of her dialect, place of origin, and skin color which ultimately shows how individuality can be subverted into a cause for fear. Tituba uses this sense of isolation and individuality to her advantage and self benefit.

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