Themes of Conscience in the Crucible

Intolerance

The Crucible is set in a theocratic society. The church and the state are an equal place. The religion is a strict form of Protestantism or known as Puritanism. In Salem, everyone belongs to either God or the Devil. As Danforth says in Act III, “a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it.” The witch trials are the ultimate expression of intolerance.

Hysteria

Another critical theme in the Crucible is the role that hysteria can play in tearing part a community. Hysteria displaces logic, and enables people to believe that their neighbours are committing absurd and unbelievable crimes with the Devil, like killing babies. In the Crucible, the townspeople accept and become active in the hysterical climate. An example of this is Abigail, who uses the situation to accuse Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft and has her sent to jail. However, others become involved with this hysteria, and causes Reverend Parris to strengthen his position within the village. In the end, hysteria can only succeed, as people benefit from it. Hysteria suspends the rules of daily life and hateful support under the cover of virtue.

Reputation

Reputation is tremendously important in Salem, where public and private moralities are equal. In Salem where reputation plays such an important part, the fear of guilt by association becomes mainly destructive. Various characters base their actions on the desire to protect their respective reputations. An example of this is when Parris fears that Abigail’s increasingly questionable actions and the hints of witchcraft are surrounding his daughter’s coma, whilst threatening his reputation and forcing him away from the pulpit. However, John Proctor manages to keep his good name.