The setting in which the play is set is Salem, Massachusetts, in the late 17th century, in the year 1692. It is a Puritan society, indicating that it is a strict, solemn and fearful town. The people of Salem are gullible and superstitious, prone to being overly religious. Because of their devout attitude towards religion and God, they are daunted by many fears, including the fear of witchcraft, the Devil and Hell, death and of being caught. In this restrictive community, one is not allowed to enjoy oneself or participate in celebration of any kind, instead, physical exertion and strict compliance with their religion are the most appropriate way to measure faith, trust and honesty. The Salem witch trials allowed those who held grudges to act upon them, allowing many innocent people to be found guilty, thereby sentenced to death by hanging. The time of the Salem witch trials is described by Arthur Miller as “One of the strangest and most awful chapters in human history.”
The greatest use of irony in the play is in Act III, when Proctor has confessed his lechery, and Danforth now asks for Elizabeth to disclose this knowledge also. “That woman will never lie, Mr. Danforth.” (page 92) “In her life, sir, she have never lied. There are them that cannot sing, and them that cannot weep - my wife cannot lie.” (page 111) Throughout Act III, Proctor insists that his wife is incapable of lying as she is a good Christian and has had no reason to do so before. When Danforth asks Elizabeth to acknowledge that Proctor is indeed a lecher, she answers “No, sir” (page 113). Elizabeth lies out of her love and devotion to Proctor, however, she unknowingly sends the entire town to pandemonium by doing so. As Elizabeth is taken out of the room, Proctor shouts “Elizabeth, I have confessed it!” (page 113), in which Elizabeth responds “Oh, God!”. It is at this precise moment that Elizabeth discovers what she has done.
There is little symbolism in the play itself, however, the play as a whole can be interpreted as a representation of the obsession of denouncing communism that occurred in America in the late 1950’s. It was during this time that Arthur Miller wrote this play, in which he himself was indicted for being pro-communism. He writes of the parochial time period, where even the innocent can be rebuked. The play is also a reflection on how suspected Communists were pressured to confess their crimes and those who took part in the felony. Miller’s main concern in this play is not whether the witches were or were not guilty although accused, but rather the disinclination for court officials and court judges to believe that they could be guiltless. Also at this time, he was married to world renowned actress, singer and model Marilyn Monroe. There is a ostensible resemblance between Marilyn Monroe and that of the antagonist, Abigail Williams. They are both ravishing, appealing young women, although it is somewhat unknown whether Monroe possessed the quality to dissemble as Abigail did, although it can certainly be assumed.
The significance of reputation also brings Salem to its demise. Parris is one of the main characters whose sole ambition is to gain power and money. In the beginning of the play when Betty, his daughter, is in a strange coma, he was not mainly concerned with the well-being of his daughter, but rather how the profession of witchcraft in his household will tarnish his scrupulous reputation. Throughout the play until Act III, Proctor had a chance to terminate the paranoia of witchcraft that is controlling the town by admitting his infidelity, but does not do so as he endeavors to keep his name clean. However, towards the end of Act III, Proctor confesses his act of unfaithfulness, choosing not to make a false confession, thereby dying a heroic death. He was able to pass on with integrity in his heart, finally capable of having found the goodness inside of him.
John Proctor serves as the protagonist of the play, who exists as a very three-dimensional character. He is a distressed person, torn between his sexual desires towards Abigail and his loyalty in his marriage with his wife, Elizabeth. He is unable to forgive himself for his adultery, thereby allowing Elizabeth’s inability to forgive to magnify in his eyes. In Act III, he confesses his adultery, trying to save his wife, and ultimately the town from falling into hysterics. “I have known her, sir. I have known her.” (page 110) However, by the time his guilty plea is heard, it is overdue. The entire town had, was and is in delirium, and it was too late to change it before further damage could be down. In the end, Proctor was able to realize that he was unwilling to live his life based on a lie (false confession). Because of this awareness, as well as his wife’s forgiveness, Proctor was finally able to forgive himself, finally able to obtain true peace with himself as he faces the gallows.
“The Crucible” is an effective tool used by Arthur Miller to reflect the society of 1950s America. Both time periods were that of hysteria, confusion and false persecution. It demonstrates how society can be altered by one person, for better or worse, and of how society can be led to its ultimate downfall in an instant. The main intention of this play, however, is to illustrate how hysteria can only thrive if there is benefit for others, and of how hysteria is not the cause of problems, but rather the effect of it.