The theme of guilt in "The Crucible"

by cococup9607 (student)

International Baccalaureate World Literature

Salem in the late seventeenth century was not just a place of God, but also a place of emerging guilt. Many characters in The Crucible by Arthur Miller, such as Giles Corey, Reverend Hale and John Proctor, struggle with the deep-seated guilt in their hearts. The townspeople’s reaction to the witch trials reveals their guilt and transforms them. Their guilt ultimately contributes to the tragic finale of the Salem Witch Trials.

The bottled up guilt in Salem is slowly gaining momentum amongst the townspeople. Although the townspeople may seem honest and dedicated to god, they are still human and fall prey to sins. The town is morally declining. There are girls dancing in the forest and a corrupt minister who cares more about material possessions than fulfilling his duties. Because of their sins, the townsfolk have guilt and blame others to free themselves of it. People call out names for the witch-hunt on behalf of God; but in reality, they blame others to avoid dealing with their guilt. These accusations make the townspeople turn on their neighbors and friends, ultimately adding to the intensity of the witch trials.

In contrast to the townsfolk, Giles deals with his guilt. He asks Reverend Hale to resolve his curiosity about what his wife Martha might be reading behind his back, but instead rouses the town’s suspicion of Martha being a witch. He says to Hale, “I never said my wife were a witch, Mr. Hale; I only said she were reading books!” (71). Giles feels guilt for being responsible for his wife’s imprisonment and tries to defend her in court. Consequently, Giles refuse to give the name of the man who can substantiate his claim that Putnam is killing his neighbors for their land. If he gives the name, he would have to take on the guilt of selling out his friend. In the end, Giles becomes consumed by the hysteria of the witch trials and dies.

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Reverend Hale takes on guilt because of his involvement with the trials. At first, he naïvely believes that the town is under Satan’s control. He uses intimidation to force people to confess to witchery. His work in the town promotes the mass hysteria, creating an environment that inhibits people to accept or convey the truth. He not only condemns many innocent people of witchery, but contributes to their death. Hale realizes his destructiveness and says to judge Danforth, “… There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head!!” (131). Hale’s response shows his guilt because he feels responsible for the imprisonments, deaths and the hysteria. He tries to amend his actions by first standing up for Proctor, pleading to Danforth to clear Elizabeth’s name. Instead of listening to Hale’s pleas, Danforth pushes Proctor in jail. Hale becomes desperate to lessen his guilt and persuades the accused to confess and save their lives. His work is insufficient when Rebecca and Proctor stay truthful until the end. In the end, Hale fails to save the innocent and liberate himself from guilt.

Proctor is haunted by remorse when he sins against the puritan laws. In the beginning, he lusts after Abigail and betrays his wife. During his talk with Abigail, Proctor says, “… I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again!” (23). He feels guilty for straying from the path of God and going against his own morals, committing to adultery. As an upright man, he knows better than to cheat on his wife. Trying hard to cleanse himself of this misconduct, he warns Abigail repeatedly to stay clear of each other. This guilt of lechery and infidelity torments Proctor and changes his relationship with his wife. Elizabeth feels insecure around Proctor, and Proctor does his best to please Elizabeth. The guilt’s grasp on Proctor shows when he ironically cannot remember the final commandment, adultery. His guilt worsens when Abigail names Elizabeth as a candidate for witchery. Proctor feels that Elizabeth became involved because of Abigail’s jealousy, unable to forget him. Proctor attempts to save Elizabeth and reverse the situation by convincing Marry Warren to target Abigail during their court session. When Marry betrays him, Proctor has no choice but to blacken his name and reveal to the court his affair with Abigail. He risks his reputation to bring down Abigail, showing his need to save Elizabeth, therefore calming his guilt.

Proctor’s guilt strengthens when he is forced to confess and tell a lie. To Proctor, morality is of utmost importance. Lying is betrayal to his own morals, in addition to betraying his upright friends. Rebecca Nurse never gave in to confessing. Giles Corey gave up his life to protect the truth. Proctor stands agonizingly in front of Danforth to sign his name, showing the plague of shame and guilt for betraying the truth and his friends. To resolve his guilt, Proctor awakens from his weakness and tears the confession note. This act of bravery makes his stance strong, as if a burden lifts away from his shoulders. His shame turns into gratification by standing up for the truth. He accepts his death and walks a path of honor for the last few moments of his life. Elizabeth recognizes his valour and says, “He [has] his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!” (145). Elizabeth sees the guilt leaving Proctor and praises him until the town’s injustice engulfs Proctor, making him a victim of the witch trials

Guilt becomes a preeminent theme in The Crucible. The townsfolk gather guilt from wrongdoings and pass them on to others, unlike Giles who faces his guilt. Proctor’ adultery and lie gives him great guilt and weakens his morals, but he was able to overcome it and stay honest. Guilt is a terrifying force that contributes to the catastrophic event of the Salem Witch Trials. Guilt may crush a person that blames others, but one can also be brave and stand strong to fight and succeed.

Word count: 996