A crucible is a container in which metals are heated to extract the pure element from dross or impurities. This definition is very easily connected to the play. For instance, witches are traditionally said to use cauldrons to brew their magical potions and what not, and a synonym for cauldron is crucible. Not only do witches use cauldrons, but the word crucible also could have some metaphorical meaning. The actions in Salem were like that of a brewing cauldron, there were many heated arguments, and people were being ‘stirred’ and ‘mixed’ around like a vile potion.
Within this play, one of Miller’s many works, Mr. Proctor is one of the main characters. Miller uses extremely effective techniques to really bring the character to life. For example, I think Proctor is such a popular character because he embodies the traits of your average story tragic hero, yet is still shown to have flaws within his personality, which makes him quite easy to relate to as a person. His severe lust for Abigail shows he is a human too, with weaknesses, desires and guilt. This really brings the character to life in my mind.
John is a stern, authoritarian man, who lives with his wife on a farm just outside of town. He hates himself for his affair with Abi, because, as Miller describes in the notes upon his introduction to the character, not only does he go against the moral way of doing things in the time, but because he is ‘sinning against his own beliefs.’ John feels terrible, because he hates hypocrisy, yet cannot resist Abi.
Abigail is the niece to Hale, another key role in the story. She seems to have a slightly split personality. There is one side of her that is so naïve; yet suddenly, when things fail to go her way, the sweet, naïve child turns into a vindictive, tempestuous liar. Again, Miller’s portrayal of such a complex personality really brings her to life, and makes you understand the situation more, because you can understand the way they are feeling easier.
The more vindictive side of Abi is revealed after Proctor’s wife Elizabeth fires her, when news of the affair reaches her. She makes the black African slave Tituba help when she tries to perform voodoo spells.
When the pair are discovered, she blames Tituba, a clear indication that she is a rather sinister, manipulative person.
There is a crucial scene in Act one, where Abigail tries to seduce Proctor once more. To me, this is one of the most important scenes in the entire play, because it says so much about these two main characters.
The scene begins with quite a calm atmosphere, but this soon changes, and quite catastrophically. John Proctor tells Abigail that he wants nothing more to do with her after their affair. She is taken back by this, and tries to convince him otherwise. Miller shows how well the character can manipulate people.
Miller’s use of punctuation, and in particular exclamation marks, shows the anger and emotion in the conversation. It is obvious Proctor still has feelings, but he has to shut them out. Abigail feels patronized by him, and feels desperate, for she is practically begging him. She hates him for making her feel this way.
The speed of the dialogue is increased due to the short sentences. This makes the conversation between the two snappier, and more heated. This is more effective than longer sentences, as the points almost sound listed rather than direct and implanted, when the speech is quicker. The quicker speech patterns open up for a more rigid dialogue.
Miller uses a clever writing device as his main tool in creating tension. By manipulating the fact that the audience knows as little about prior events, he can build up tension around this.
Miller also uses the complexity of his character’s sentences to provide a sense of the stress and emotion the characters feel at the time. When under threat, feeling pressured, the character’s phrases become monosyllabic. These monosyllabic phrases litter the play and show the audience the rising conflicts in the community.
In conclusion, I would say the techniques used by Miller in the Crucible are extremely effective. There is no doubt that some of the writing methods used by the playwright here have influenced more recent authors and budding stage writers.