Interestingly, the original motives of these people, especially Abigail, aren’t as heinous as one would imagine, because some of them have mitigating factors. Abigail’s yearning for John Proctor’s love wouldn’t appear to be such a crime, but she completely disregards any consequences in her bid to reclaim Proctor as her own. Convicting others doesn’t appear to affect her at all, just as long as she gets her way. She isn’t afraid to betray her friends either, as she and Mercy Lewis accuse Mary Warren of committing black arts, and sending out a cold wind to them. She points the finger at Mary when she says, “A wind, a cold wind, has come. (her eyes fall on Mary Warren).” Her impulsive actions often cost others dearly, although there could be other motives and catalysts for her behaviour. A prime example is when she threatens the other girls, “I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you…I saw Indians smash my dear parents heads on the pillow next to mine.” This harsh threat reveals a previously unknown side of Abigail as we see how the death of her parents could have affected her more than she realises. Her desperate attempts to be with Proctor could be a way of reaching out for love and being accepted by someone. It is apparent throughout the play that she is looked down upon by the village people and to her uncle Parris, she is a burden, as his character notes state “he had no interest in children, or talent with them”. Nevertheless, this doesn’t excuse Abigail’s hate for Proctor’s wife Elizabeth, as her paranoia takes over in the accusation, “she is blackening my name in the village…She is a cold snivelling woman!” These words paint a clear picture of Abigail’s hatred and jealousy of Elizabeth, which, indirectly, is one of the main sources of the problems in Salem. It also illustrates that Abigail isn’t the controlled character she would have us believe, as her immature personality makes her resort to throwing a tantrum for attention, again perhaps from a lack of tenderness or care in her past. Despite this, she is still a very calculating person, and she knows how to use peoples’ fears to get herself out of trouble. Abigail uses Hale’s words, “Does someone afflict you child? …Perhaps some bird invisible to others,” later in the play to divert attention away from herself, and instil greater fear in the members of the court. By doing this, she has led the court away from their suspicions over her trustworthiness and brought the control back to herself. With a court that is so easily fooled, it is easy to see how certain individuals –Putnam and Parris- can manipulate it to their advantage.
It is also ironic then how Abigail is obsessed with Proctor, who is eventually killed by her actions. In stark contrast to Abigail, he is portrayed as a man of decent character, well respected in the community, but not without flaws, his affair with Abigail constantly lurking in his mind, and widening a rift between himself and his wife Elizabeth. He is seen by Parris as a threat, and Parris again seizes this opportunity to try and ruin his reputation through the accusation to Danforth, “beware this man, your Excellency, this man is mischief.” There are many reasons for Parris to envy Proctor, as even though Proctor isn’t perfect, he commands a lot more respect from other Salemites, and is a better Christian than Parris. Parris’ apparent willingness to ruin Proctor is just one of many old grudges which are reignited during these turbulent times. He hides in Danforth’s shadow, stirring up trouble and ensuring everything goes his way. The manner in which he presents himself as a friend of the parishioners and preaches the moral high ground in court only serves to intensify the audiences’ hate for him. In tandem with Danforth’s twisted logic and incessant interrogation, Parris transforms the court from a symbol of hope to a place where any chance of justice is quashed.
We also see this clearly when the corrupt Putnam ruthlessly and heartlessly kills off his neighbours to buy their land, using his daughter and Tituba as mediums to accuse people with and feeding names into their mouths, as he does with the words, “Sarah Good? Did you ever see Sarah Good with him (the devil)? Or Osburn? Before his daughter Ruth has even admitted to witchcraft, he spreads the word of witchcraft, cruelly calculating his next move. The words, “That is a notorious sign of witchcraft, a prodigious sign,” indicate his joy at the opportunity to make some money and settle some old grudges. His disregard for his daughter’s health is yet another example of his lack of humanity. Parris is equally selfish and cold. When questioning Abigail about her dancing in the woods, Parris proceeds to say, “I must know it now, for my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it… you must understand I have many enemies… there is a faction sworn to drive me from my pulpit,” like Putnam lacking any concern for Abigail.
It is clear that people like Danforth, Parris and Putnam aren’t in the business of helping Salem’s society, as people of their status should be, but in furthering their own possessions. Without these individuals keeping order and maintaining justice in the town, all of the old grudges and petty grievances are allowed to run riot and influence the proceedings in court, as we see when Ann Putnam accuses Rebecca Nurse, arguably the most respected person in the town, of killing her babies. This is also an example of how little scientific knowledge was available at the time, and how eager people were to place blame on other people. Aside from the few individuals with integrity, like Proctor, Corrie and Rebecca Nurse, the rest of Salem’s society will sacrifice others to safeguard their name in the town. When questioned by Hale, Abigail seems to instinctively play the innocent child which the audience knows she is definitely not, an example of dramatic irony. “I’m a good girl! I’m a proper girl!” These words highlight how quick she is to defend herself, and her insecurity about her image and reputation in the village. Once she is safe, she proceeds to shift blame onto others, like Tituba. “She tried (to make me drink the soup) but I refused…She made me drink blood!” Abigail realises her word is taken over Tituba’s because of the racial prejudice at the time the play is set in. People like Abigail, Parris and Putnam aren’t afraid to use this discrimination to their advantage, which only serves to kill more people, or to ruin their lives.
It is ironic that one of the few admirable qualities that are found in the town is the reason that so many people die. Ultimately, people like Hale and Proctor realise that it isn’t being seen as a good Christian or letting people think you are innocent that matters, but knowing yourself that you are innocent and have nothing to fear. It is this that convinces them that everything should be done to protect your innocence, even giving your life, in Proctor’s case. People like Proctor and Reverend Hale are purified by Danforth’s crucible but for the wrong reasons. While Danforth’s words, “We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment,” would appear to be correct, they are ironic, in that the only way the truth comes out is if innocent people die first These men, along with the many others who are convicted, struggle long and hard with the decision of confession and lies versus integrity and righteousness. For others like Rebecca Nurse the choice is already decided, as her words, “Let you fear nothing, another judgement awaits us all,” suggest. She is firm in her belief that they will be repaid by God for maintaining their innocence. John’s dilemma is much worse, as he has family and children to worry about, and his name is ruined in the village already, as news of his adultery charges would have circulated. The impact of outpourings like, “I lie and sign myself to lies! I am not worth the dust of the feet of them that hang,” gives you the feeling that he realises the complexity of his situation, and that he is trapped either way. The real problem to him is that he believes it is his fault. Elizabeth’s last line, “He has his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him,” lets you know that she understands his choice and she respects and forgives him once again, which is ultimately what he wanted. The society has the ability to let innocent people die, not only because they are loyal to themselves and no one else, but because these people are willing to die for what they believe, or what they want, in Proctor’s case.
There are many other people in the village who try to speak their mind, and do what is morally right, but whose aspirations are crushed by the opposing factors, like Parris, Danforth and Abigail. Mary Warren is a good example of this, as she hides from her fears, but then confronts them, only to be brought to her knees by the sheer callousness of Abigail. We can also attribute this to the earlier mention of Danforth’s interrogation-style cross examining as well, as he repeatedly asks the same question to Mary, “Has Mr. Proctor ever threatened you for this deposition? … Has he ever threatened you? … Has he threatened you?” It personifies the disorder of the court’s legal system, as if Danforth doesn’t get the answer he wants, you will suffer, whether you are right or wrong. Mary eventually caves in to the pressure, condemning Proctor in the process, although sympathy is felt for her, as all of her weaknesses are ruthlessly exploited by the girls, betraying Mary and leaving her with no other alternative.
When Mary goes to court, she feels as if she is on trial and it is her credibility that is questioned, even though it is she who is accusing the girls, again linking to Hale’s earlier comment, “Is every defence an attack upon this court?” Danforth refuses to question the girls, as if they are found to be guilty, his reputation will be ruined and his judgement will be compromised. Instead he turns a blind eye you any damning evidence against the girls, and with the help of Parris, forces people to lie to save themselves, vindicating his decisions in the process. This is revealed when Parris declares, “There is either obedience or the church will burn like Hell is burning!” This is ironic, as Parris’ church is already “burning like Hell” as a result of his wayward leadership. Outbursts like this not only show the real character behind Parris’ façade, but they also serve to highlight the way he and Danforth work against the community, with an attitude that only helps the corrupt. Once Danforth has weakened the accuser, he provides them with a way out, as he does with Mary, slowly pushing her to convict Proctor with suggestions like, “It may well be Mary Warren has been conquered by Satan,” practically putting words in her mouth. His desperation becomes much more apparent when he threatens Mary, “You will confess or you will hang,” another example of his twisted logic and self-serving nature.
This pressure to do what is expected draws parallels to the McCarthy era, when Un-American activities were seen as wrong, and the one person who should represent hope, Danforth in the case of The Crucible, is in fact an antagonist in the whole predicament. This pressure again links to fear, but in this case it is fear of authority that reigns supreme, as there are few people who have the courage to challenge the decisions made by Danforth, and face the harsh consequences. Any Salemites who enter the court are forced to choose between Danforth’s and Parris’ version of right, and the Christian right, which, in a just system, should be the same thing.
As the play goes on, the audience’s antipathy for Parris grows, as they see him twisting the words of others and lying in court to protect himself, hardly the actions people expect of a priest. A prime example of dramatic irony is witnessed as the audience can see straight through Parris’ false exterior, as he desperately tries to cover up anything that could point to his knowledge of the girls “just dancin’ in the woods”. Few Salemites have any knowledge of his ulterior motives, or that anything he does or says is purely for his own well being, and the manner in which he projects himself is a far cry from his real character. Parris attempts to use theology to secure his position in the good books of Danforth and the community, often referring to the Bible during the proceedings in court. He leads most of the society to believe that he is trying to help them and, by lulling them into a false sense of security, he then seizes the opportunity to rid the town of anyone he believes is a threat to himself, or his position. Utilising his status and reputation, he preaches, “You should surely know that Cain were an upright man, and yet he did kill Abel,” in an attempt to have Proctor convicted. No court can provide unbiased or uncorrupted justice if its own minister is trying to have the defendant killed. His words, “The devil lives on such confidences! Without confidences there would be no conspiracy,” are ironic but true, as it is he who as kept much greater secrets, and it is he is the devil of Salem. In this sentence he is accusing someone who contrasts greatly with him, Giles Corey. Miller uses Corey to bring humour to the play, but he also stands alongside Proctor and Rebecca Nurse as one of the main symbols of integrity and righteousness. Although he is revealed as a naïve, slightly puzzled man, he isn’t afraid to speak his mind, albeit with some harsh consequences like his wife’s death. Unlike Parris, he values his friends, which eventually leads to his death. His response to the choice of betraying his friend or dying is admirable, his integrity clear as he replies, “I stand mute.”
The audience feels a great deal of sympathy and admiration not only for Corey, but also Proctor and Rebecca Nurse who set a great example that, few others follow. There is immense injustice, as the only people who die are innocent, and they are the privileged few who have integrity. Although he can’t stop the proceedings in the court, Hale disassociates himself from the fraudulent proceedings in the Salem court, with the statement, “I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court,” ruining his reputation in the process. His efforts to correct Danforth’s judgement are brought to a halt, often by Danforth himself who quips, “I will have nothing from you Mr. Hale!” This again highlights the stubbornness of Danforth, as he refuses to listen to anyone
The structure of the play is quite regimented, as there always appears to be a glimmer of hope in each act, but the end of every act ends with chaos. This shows that the situation could never be resolved, as the paranoia and hysteria undermined any efforts to do this. In reality, it was the Salem society that was the devil, as Proctor declares, “A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours Danforth!” This again shows the humbleness of Proctor, as he has the integrity to face up to his shortcomings, while Danforth would prefer to hide, frantically trying to drown out Proctor’s words with his own, with the frenetic cry, “Take him (Proctor) and Corey with him to the jail!” This is another illustration of Danforth’s cowardice, and his inability to confront his flaws. Proctor’s earlier quote, “God is dead!” also serves to show the disorder in the justice system. The people who should represent God, like Parris and Danforth, are now the devils. We see further irony when Danforth states, “I will not deal in lies,” in a bid to obtain Proctor’s confession, when in fact, every pardon or conviction was based on a lie.
No one can be sure if Danforth believed he was right in doing what he did, but it is obvious that he wasn’t right. In contrast, it is more obvious that Parris had a hidden agenda. However, both were responsible for the deaths of innocent people, although it seems that this was the only thing that could bring their reign to an end. One of the reasons Miller wrote this play was to denounce McCarthyism, and the end again draws parallels to this period, as the whole saga only came to an end when someone took a stand against the state. There were very few people who were willing to stand up for their beliefs, not only in Salem, but also during the McCarthy era, which is understandable given the consequences. . Miller projects other figures as unlikely heroes, everyday people like Rebecca Nurse, Giles Corey and John Proctor, who have the courage and integrity to admit to their faults, and die for their beliefs. In this era, with the town steeped in anger, vengeance and despair, these individuals stand alone making their achievements even greater. Once a stand had been taken however, the repercussions suffered by the corrupt leaders of these eras were also similar. Danforth’s power over the public diminished rapidly and Parris “walked the highroad, and was never seen again.” McCarthy’s power ceased as well, highlighting again, that a few individuals with a conscience can make a difference, one way or the other.
Shoubhik Bandopadhyay 10AG
