We also briefly establish John Proctor’s relationship with Abigail. An orphan, Abigail worked for him and his wife, Elizabeth as a housemaid until Elizabeth discovers that they were having an affair, a serious matter as this breaks one of the Ten Commandments. After being “put out”, Abigail still yearns for Proctor, although he pays little interest in her and goes back to living with his family.
In this Act though, Proctor is flirting with Abigail again, but then refuses her his love.
This is the start of Abigail’s tirade of naming the women of the town that she says are witches. When a woman is named, she can save herself from hanging by naming another woman as a witch, therefore creating a vicious circle of lies, revenge and selfishness.
In Act II Elizabeth is arrested after being named by Abigail as a witch. Proctor’s profound love for his wife is evident here.
In Act III Proctor tries to ensure Elizabeth’s release by telling the court of his affair with Abigail, therefore proving that she is lying to take revenge on his wife. Unfortunately, Elizabeth, who is usually truthful, lies to the court believing she is protecting John. John is later on accused of being “the Devil’s man” by his new housemaid, Mary Warren, a friend of Abigail’s, that is blatantly bullied into lying, during Abigail’s pretence of Mary’s spirit attacking her as a bird, which no-one can see except the girls. This leads to Proctor’s arrest.
The Crucible was made into a film in 1996 starring Daniel Day Lewis as John Proctor.
The director’s interpretation of Act IIII is evident through his use of music, camera angles, choice of location, lighting and dramatic devices.
In the film, at the end of Act III, Proctor declares that “God is dead” after chasing Mary into the river. This is a reference to the Bible, where John the Baptist stands in the water to baptise Christ. Lewis also stands with his arms outstretched like Jesus on the crucifix. Here, the director could be symbolising Proctor as the true, honest Christian and the county judge, Danforth, as Pontius Pilate, the leader that condemned Christ to be crucified.
In a medium long shot of Proctor in the water we see that the townspeople have moved away from him, leaving him alone. The music in this shot reinforces the idea of Proctor’s isolation.
In the play, Giles Corey is described as a “deeply brave and innocent man”, so when in the film the director introduces a new scene where Corey is stoned to death, another link to the Bible is formed. The disciples of Jesus were stoned to death for following Jesus and believing him, just as Corey is here as a believer of John Proctor.
When Elizabeth tries to persuade Proctor to lie and sign the declaration of being with the Devil, the director has chosen to set the scene in an open piece of countryside outside the town, whereas in the play, it is set in the court building. In the film, the weather is windy, grey and dark, representing the character’s emotions. Elizabeth and John are standing alone in the bleak wilderness, while in the background we see the court attendants creeping slowly behind them. These figures could symbolise the injustice that the Proctors feel. This scene has many close-ups, signifying to the viewer that Elizabeth and John are literally ‘in it together’.
When John proclaims, “I want my life” the music becomes rousing and uplifting, suggesting excitement.
Later changing his mind, to save his name rather than his life, the film comes to a climatic and pivotal point. The signing of the declaration paper becomes a battle between Danforth and Proctor – by untruthfully signing the paper and losing his dignity, though keeping his life, Danforth ‘wins’. If Proctor does not sign, then although he will be hanged, he will keep his name and save his conscience. As a true Christian, Proctor believes that by telling the truth, he is saving his soul to live in eternal happiness in Heaven.
The tension is heightened as Proctor begins to sign the paper, which the dramatic music demonstrates.
Lewis’ tone of voice rises in anger as Proctor prepares to tear the paper. As the paper is torn, the music gets louder and Lewis sighs, indicating that Proctor’s conscience has been eased. Danforth looks defeated here, showing us that Proctor’s truth and ability to stay strong has quashed the judge.
Proctor is then sent to be hanged, and arrives in a cart carrying Goody Nurse, an innocent woman also condemned to death. In the shot both he and Goody Nurse are standing implying that they are closer to Heaven than the crowds below that have come to see them executed.
We see a close-up of Elizabeth and at this point the music becomes powerful, showing her strong character.
As they begin to recite the Lord’s Prayer we see that the accused are true Christians, though by not being allowed to finish the prayer, we see that justice has now been overcome.
Through his own interpretation, the director presents the film in a way that remains true to the original themes and ideas of Miller’s play.