The play takes place in Salem, Massachusetts and the set he uses is always a claustrophobic set which creates tension. An example of this is the opening scene, “a small upper bedroom” (Page 3) and “There is a narrow window at the left. Though its leaded panes the morning sunlight streams” (Page 3). The set Miller uses is dull, claustrophobic and minimalist. He uses this specific set to create tension in the audience and to suggest the kinds of lives the people in the community have, dark and full of secrets. This dark and closed set creates tension and intrigue on the audience when the play starts.
Miller creates a striking visual tableau in the form of a confession triangle between Elizabeth, John and Abigail. “Elizabeth comes to him, glancing at Proctor’s back. Look at me only, not at your husband. In my eyes only.” (Page 104) and “Danforth: reaches out and holds her face, then: Look at me!” (Page 105). Miller creates an atmosphere of interrogation which could lead to the death of several characters. The fact that they can’t see each other causes tensions as they don’t know what the others are doing. Miller uses dramatic irony once again as the audience knows Proctor has already confessed everything but Elizabeth has no idea of this. Miller creates this tense triangle to show more drama and conflicts in the play, during this scene the audience feels nervous and anxious.
The plot of the play also creates the tension; it is centered on dark issues such as secrecy and lust. “That my daughter and my niece I discovered dancing like heathen in the forest?” (Page 9). This shows the secrecy of the girls, also ‘discovered’ suggests they were hiding. This creates tension because the audience feels the dark secrets this Puritan community is filled with. Lust is an important theme in the play which is used to create tension. Miller uses the stage directions to express this lust and thrill the audience, “Proctor, his smile widening” (Page 20) and “He takes a step to go, and she springs into his path.” (Page 20). The change in attitude with Proctor and how direct and confident Abigail is creates tension; the audience is excited and wants to know more about this relationship. Miller creates this tense scene to portray the twisted and forbidden relationship these characters have.
Miller also creates tension using irony and violent actions. Hale asks Proctor the commandments and he only forgets one, “delicately: Adultery, John.” (Page 64). It is ironic that John forgets the commandment he broke. Elizabeth reminds him of this ‘delicately’ which suggests she is very calm to mention it but it is obvious she is furious inside. This is also dramatic irony, as Hale has no idea that Proctor committed adultery and the audience clearly feels the tension between Proctor and Elizabeth. Miller does this to show how fragile the relationship between husband and wife is. He also creates violent scenes which surprise and delight the audience, “Abigail, smashes her across the face.” (Page 18). Miller portrays Abigail as violent and brusque; he does this to reveal more about this character and just how strong she is.
In the play a very important problem is the mass hysteria that is created, this off course creates tension. A clear example of this is when Mary Warren is being interrogated and the girls all act as one, claiming to feel the same. “I freeze, I freeze.” (Page 101) and “It is a wind, a wind!” (Page 101). In this scene the audience sees many people experiencing the same physically; it is an irrational behaviour which creates tension. This scene of mass hysteria is created by Miller to suggest how messed up the situation in Salem was, in this case Abigail invented ‘she was cold’ and all the girls followed her. Tense scene was the audience knows it is all faked however the characters do believe it.
Another technique used by Miller is the hot and cold imagery, in the play the hot imagery refers to Abigail and Proctor and the cold to Elizabeth. “I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I come near.” (Page 21). This reveals the passionate and intense relationship Abigail and John had which is contrasted with cold imagery of Elizabeth, “she is a cold, sniveling woman, and you bend to her!” (Page 22). This reference to hot and cold creates tension because it is a contrast Miller uses to show Abigail’s hate and resentment towards Elizabeth.
Miller uses different language techniques to create tension such as euphemisms, metaphors and pauses. Polysemic words create tension, “I know you better.” (Page 21). The audience at first is not sure which meaning the characters are referring to which causes confusion and intrigue. Miller uses pauses and short sentences to create tension, when Elizabeth and John meet after being in jail the conversation is tense, “The child? It grows.” (Page 124) and “I know it. Pause. None- have yet confessed? There be many confessed.” (Page 124). The flow of the conversation is fast and short, it creates tension because neither of the characters knows how to act. It portrays an awkward and uncomfortable situation which is tense. Miller does this to show the amount of time that has passed and how each character feels.
The Crucible is a play which contains a lot of tension; it is created using a lot of different techniques. Miller creates tension to evoke an emotion on the audience; at times they feel shocked or confused. Also it helps the plot of the play and the author is able to communicate his beliefs, and in this case he is very successful as the tension is clear.
