In the play “The Crucible”, Artur Miller raises the topic of Salem witch accusations taking place in Massachusetts during the end of the seventeenth century. The story observes individuals from various social statuses, their sins, and the dark sides of the personalia. In “The Crucible”, the author raises such essential issues as deception, goodness, guilt, hysteria, reputation, social status, judgment, and many others. One can call Miller a predictor as all these topics remain the significant issues of human lives. People still choose between lie and truth, kindness and evil; care about their social position and reputation; judge others, and do not want to be judged. It is hard to debate that all human beings act in terms of self-benefit and wellbeing by their nature. However, society does not let them drown in egoism and their needs. Living in a community puts obligations on all individuals to care about the other one, choose a decent action among many possible. The theme of goodness stands out between all the topics raised in the play and stays one of the majors throughout it.
Miller, in his work, shows a typical theocratic society in which the church and religious obligations control the government. Because of that, for this society, moral laws are equal to state laws. Hence, shortcomings and proper actions made by a human is a subject of public concern. Consequently, any deviation from social rules brings harm to society and means disrespect of God. According to Miller, “repressions of the order were heavier than seemed warranted by the dangers against which the order was organized” (48). In Salem, one belongs to God or the devil, and no other variants are accepted.
Nearly every character in the book is concerned with the idea of being good as their beliefs and religion teach them to face God as a decent person after they die. Some people’s concern for goodness reflects what they are in other peoples’ eyes. As for Parris, he is guided by neighbors’ views which are brightly shown in the play’s opening. Parris is more worried about what the visitors will think about him than the health of his daughter. It is especially felt in his words to Abigail: “I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character” (Miller 54). Parris’s concerns to be and stay good in other peoples’ minds show a wrong perception of what “being good” truly means. Focusing on the outside, the preacher forgets about the importance of the inside. Being a decent example of kindness and honor, one should always start from the soul, clear mind, and proper actions. Parris, however, shows the attitude to other people by characterizing them as “stiff-necked”.
Some people in the book also use the lie to stay decent from other people’s perspectives. Abigail follows the example of Tituba by deceptively admitting witchery, and she does that to persuade the Salem residents that she is a good person. However, such a character as Mary Warren confesses what truly happened because being decent means telling the truth, not being seen as a good one. Marry Warren, the preacher’s servant shows the light intentions of her soul. The lady says that she “only comes to see the great doings in the world” (Miller 66). The perception of morally right actions should always go from one’s heart. Using deception as a tool to solve issues cannot lead to either personal success or public respect. All the lies eventually appear in the short or long term, so all the people using falsehoods win is the amount of time until the truth will step on their heels.
Several characters show a fight for being decent and honorable with their reflections and hesitations for the right action. For instance, Reverend John Hale appears in the play as a firmly confident witch recognizer. Sill, at the end of the book, Miller illustrates him as a man full of doubts that cannot live with a clear conscience unless he inspires prisoners to confess falsely. The disappointment he reached is seen in the final play’s act in his begging Elizabeth to prevail her husband to confess. Hale says that “cleave to no faith when faith brings blood”, which makes the man change his principles to save the victims of the case (Miller 202). Hale is an interesting example of how a man can adjust his values to fight for some major moralities in life.
In “The Crucible”, Artur Miller reveals essential topics observing Salem residents’ lives in the seventeenth century. One of the most significant themes raised in the play is the issue of goodness. Miller shows how the perception of being a proper man varies in society. Some care more about the community’s opinion to stay good in their eyes; some are willing to lie in terms of looking right for others; some struggle to find the correct way to behave for everyone’s wellbeing. It is essential to face honesty and truth forgetting about fears and other people’s judgment. True goodness comes from heart and soul, and staying kind and sincere takes an enormous responsibility and a challenging fight, but it is worth it.
Reference
Miller, Artur. The Crucible. Penguin Group, 2003.