The character of ‘Abigail Williams’ also develops the theme of evil as she represents evil itself. In the play, ‘Abigail’ is a beautiful, orphaned girl of 17 who is the niece of a ‘Reverend Paris’. At first, naturally you would not expect a girl with such beauty and background to be evil, but under her cunning, false exterior lies a vicious and calculating girl. Her actions of committing lechery with ‘John Proctor’, her jealousy of ‘Elizabeth Proctor’, and her accusations of witchery among the innocent resulting in their death all prove that evil resides in her. Readers are led to believe that ‘Abigail’s’ vindictive behaviour is the main source of evil in the town. Another theme also explored by ‘Abigail’s’ character is the power of fear. Through ‘Abigail’s’ misuse of the power of fear she is able to control the girls by threatening harm upon them. This is present when ‘Abigail’ threatens the girls to keep quiet or else. “Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you”. From this readers are led to believe that ‘Abigail’ is truly a vicious person who is capable of such evil acts. Overall, through the characterization of ‘Abigail Williams’ we see that evil is misleading and destructive as it can occur within unsuspected people, such as the reverend’s niece, and cause much pain and chaos in the life of the innocent, such as those falsely accused of witchcraft, and thus presents and explores the theme of evil.
The theme of morals and guilt is explored by the characterization of ‘John Proctor’. ‘Proctor’ is portrayed as being around the age of thirty and a well-respected farmer in the town’s community. He is described as ‘the kind of man- powerful of body, even-tempered, and not easily led.’ From these descriptions, we recognize that he is a strong, calm individual who is quite cynical. As soon as ‘Proctor’ appears in the play we see that he is very much in conflict with himself due to the terrible secret he conceals within the dark and forbidding chambers of his heart. A history of sin, which goes against every moral fibre of his body and the society in which he dwells. “He is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion but against his own vision of decent conduct.” ‘John Proctor’ is guilty of committing adultery with the young ‘Abigail Williams’ while she was serving as a servant in his household and this has a great effect on his conscience. ‘Proctor’s’ conscience eats away at him throughout the play as it manifests itself into his relationship with people, especially his wife, ‘Elizabeth’. This is presented when Elizabeth states: “ I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you. I never thought you but a good man, John- only somewhat bewildered.” Here we see the idea of morality being reflected on a personal level, or Proctor’s conception of himself. He conceives himself as a blatant sinner because of his ‘raw deeds’, being his lechery. “ I blush for my sin,” he admits to his wife. Overall, through the characterization of ‘John Proctor’ the theme morals and guilt is presented and from this we see that his perception of right and wrong are decided by his own ‘vision of decent conduct’.
Characterization is essential to the exploration and development of themes in ‘The Crucible’ by Arthur Miller. The characterization of ‘Rebecca Nurse’ explores the theme of evil. ‘Abigail Williams’ explores the themes of evil as well as the power of fear and ‘John Proctor’ explores the theme of morals and guilt. All these characters and many more help develop the themes within ‘The Crucible’.
