The play is relevant today because it has similarities in our modern day issues, as for example in our attitudes towards terrorism, as it seems anyone can be accused of being a terrorist without clear proof. Also me see how Hitler persecuted and tortured the Jews because he saw them as an impure race. The title of the play “The Crucible” carries certain ideas, irradicating impurity. A crucible is a pot used to get rid of any impurities from metal. The Crucible Court tries to get rid of any impurities in Salem and Proctor is purified by his suffering.
Proctor develops, throughout the play, from a good man to a heroic man whose actions make a lasting impression on the audience. Throughout the play John proves himself to be a good and noble man who sticks up for what he thinks is right. He is a strong man who has big viewpoints on certain issues. We know this because he never agreed with Parris or anyone regarding the matter of the witch-hunt. He kept a strong belief until the end of the play, and he has no fear of expressing his feelings, “I may speak my heart, I think”. This defiantly shows he that he will do what he considers as right. Proctor was not afraid to tell Parris what is on his mind, as Parris accuses Proctor of not being religious, as he has not attended church every Sunday. In the beginning John truthfully tells Parris why he has not been to church recently, “I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only about hell fire and bloody damatation. Take it to heart, Mr Parris. There are many others that stay away from church these days because you hardly ever mention god anymore.” John and Elizabeth’s relationship was quite rocky because of the affair John and Abigail had while she was sick, but John confessed it all to her. His wife Elizabeth was charged for being a witch after she had done all she could to protect Proctor, but then Proctor confessed to the court but insists to them that Elizabeth never lies she was just doing it to protect him. So John got thrown in prison along with many innocent people. He did not refuse to sign the document but he refused to let it be pinned on the church door for the whole village to see, and for this he was hung along with twenty innocent people. Proctor died for his name. He was seen as a hero by many. He did what was right by saving many other lives as well as his name.
The play has still remained so popular because of this central character as well as because of the continuing relevance of the themes. However, it also works as a drama because it engages the reader through having different levels of tension throughout the play. Miller reveals parts of the plot at different times which keeps the reader engages the reader as they try to figure out what happens next which also gives it a sense of mystery. One of these times is at the very start of the play when Parris is kneeling by his motionless daughter Betty’s bed and is saying an unclear prayer, but he is unsure of what to say. We find out the Parris saw Abigail and Betty (the ill child) dancing in the forest the night before and he is worried that it could have had something to do with Betty being ill. This start of the play is very good as it opens the play with a sense of mystery and gets the reader interested in what’s going to happen next.
Another reason the play is still popular today is the dramatic ending. It is at the very end where John and Elizabeth finally get their relationship back on track and then John decides to confess everything to the court as he is already wrong doer, and doesn’t see it getting much worse. He refuses to give then the confession that he has signed so he can protect his name “Because it’s my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How can I live my life without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” and he refused to give away any manes of the people that he may have seen with the devil.
Throughout The Crucible many of the characters are faced with great adversity caused by mass hysteria of witches, which was to blame for the inner and outer conflicts among the characters. The Crucible has three central themes. That include fear, pride, and greed. These themes are fuelled by all of the finger pointing that went on during the witch trials. Through the finger pointing, many people were faced with decisions of faith, pride, and fear.
