Women's Roles In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

Arthur Miller was a renowned playwright for his time. Creating incredible plays, such as Death of a Salesman and The Crucible until his death on February 10, 2005. People have been analyzing his works to find and understand the themes along with meanings in his plays. One of which is the role that women play in his stories. This may not grab the attention of amateur readers, but if you look into more, it can get interesting. The theme of women in Miller’s plays has been debated over the years. If you need a reminder, or just haven’t read the Crucible or Death of a Salesman, the play has women being leading roles, but not really the main protagonist. Death of a Salesman, for example, has Linda Loman as a house wife and mother of Biff and Happy

In fact, most of the accused people were female adult women. In Death of a Salesman, Linda is the wife of Willy, and she stays home whilst Willy goes and works. Linda stays at home and takes care of the house and bills, while Willy goes out and works most of the day. The routine carries out practically every day until they retire, or even die. In The Crucible, Abigail Williams is the first to be accused of witchcraft by her uncle, Reverend Parris. Then, Tituba is accused by Abigail. Reverend Hale and Parris are overlooking the process at the time. “Hale: You most certainly do, and you will free her from it now! When did you compact with the Devil? Tituba: I don’t compact with no Devil! Parris: You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba!” (Miller, 44). Tituba is accused of witchcraft by Abigail. Tituba is a black slave, and Abigail is a former servant of John Proctor. They both are in low positions in society. So when they get accused, they get threatened by the men and get very little saying for their defense. Tituba is threatened to be whipped if she doesn’t confess. This clearly shows that women in

Today, it typically goes along the lines of women stay at home, get groceries, and care for the children. While the men go out to work and do the harder tasks, like handiwork. This is very well seen in Miller’s Death of a Salesman play, and, although harder to see, in The Crucible. So, although not exact, they do share common ground in terms of gender roles of work. This is shown in Salesman soon after Willy came home and Lindy and he is talking about what happened while he was gone. “Willy (with wonder): I was driving along, you understand? And I was fine… And then all of a sudden I’m goin’ off the road!...And five minutes later I’m dreamin’ again, and I nearly… I have such thoughts, I have such strange thoughts. Linda: Willy, dear. Talk to them again. There’s no reason why you can’t work in New York. Willy: They don’t need me in New York. I’m the New England man. I’m vital in New England. Linda: But you’re sixty years old. They can’t expect you to keep traveling every week.” (Miller, 3). Willy was explaining to Linda what happened while he was gone. He says that he almost crashed because he was not focused on the road and dreaming. He travels long distances for his job, and Linda is worried that if he doesn’t get to travel shorter distances, he may get into a crash. At first, this may not show the roles of men and women, but once you begin to think, it will show. Willy is risking his life essentially