The Crucible A Lying Chain
Irina Simanschi
Third year, English - Spanish
The play, written by Arthur Miller in 1953, consists of a storyboard based on revenge,
love, passion, truth, lie and above all, interests. The most delicate issue which deserves attention
is the action`s space and time, quite condensed I may say and also colored, despite of the
presence of a single black skinned woman. The chromatic element stands for the behavior, the
manner of thinking and social position of the characters.
The main idea, the root of all discussions between villagers, the base of all short trials,
the fear factor is represented by the question regarding the existence of witchcraft and such
related actions.
Secondly, there is the secret passion of a female character named Abigail Williams for
John Proctor, a married and honest man, to whom his fellow villagers showed great respect. This
key element which turns out to be the spark of all lies. Nevertheless, the social integrity is an
aspect which counts among the personalities and all their statements in front of the Court (judge)
are formed in order to preserve their image in the eyes of the others.
Another important matter to discuss is the one of the law enforcers, the local minister, the
judges from a higher Court and reverend John Hale. Those characters have a distant view upon
the problem which is constantly growing. Their main interest is to preserve the image that truth
emerges to light in their presence and that they are the only ones capable enough of dealing with
such delicate social matters.
Character to character conflicts are many and most of them appear despite the characters
lack of knowledge regarding witchcraft and religion. Anyhow, they are not comfortable knowing
that the apparent evil lives among them and they are willing to take him out by removing his
spines right from above the ground. With the help of the girls who pretended to have actually
seen the evil in person, a large number of accusations and accused are brought in court. The
judgment process takes place in an old fashioned way, without any evidence, only with
accusations made especially by Abigail. Simultaneously, in order to achieve their personal
interests, other villagers blame their neighbors for bad luck and any other misunderstanding,
accusations whose endings are more often than not to be found in the death of the accused.
As previously mentioned, Abigail had a secret desire for John, which mingled with hate
and developed into a burning desire to see his wife dead. Armed with blind ambition and
supported by her rich uncle, she manages to throw Elizabeth Proctor in jail. Things turn out
really bad when Abigail does not think further and sees her beloved on the point of being hanged
and realizes it only too late. Furthermore, she succeeds in breaking in the cell where John was
emprisoned. Devastated, she wants to convince him to run away with her on a ship to Barbados.
Proctor was a man of respect and did not answer the invitation, preferring to be hanged instead.
Another important aspect is the idea of the unity whose seed is amongst the group of girls
which support Abigails lie, no matter what. The innocent dance set up by Tituba meant more
than it was. Abigail had a different perspective of it, and surrounded by foolish children, she
thought herself to be the leader of the liars, and imposed this view on the other as well. The worst
thing regarding this situation is the incapability of the law enforcers to dig out for the truth, being
convinced that statements are all real and the behavior of the group is simply an act of the devil.
The well kept secret of the presence of the devil was unbeatable and remained this way
until reverend John Hale started to see the depth of the occurences. One of the girls, Mary
Warren, confessed the truth in front of the Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth, without any
success. The judges authority was then questionable, because it was obvious that Mary was on
John`s Proctor side and she was not strong enough to deal with it, as she saw herself accused
with treason in the malicious eyes of the girls.
Another way to verify Abigail`s statements is questioning Elizabeth Proctor regarding
John`s statement related to his secret adventure with Abigail. Sadly, she refused to throw the
blame on her husband, being aware of the fact that she was the only one who could stop all those
horrible happenings. She proved to be a respectful wife, a person endowed with great human
integrity. Tranquility could be seen in her eyes, and resignation felt in her words.
In spite of all the things Abigail had done, she managed to leave Salem with all her
uncles fortune, proving herself to be more than guilty. John Proctors death was in vain, as
personal interests of influent people and the will of the mob triumphed.
Through this play, Arthur Miller emphasizes the idea that is quite hard to be a defender of
the truth in a world in which liars and hypocrites are put above anything else, and that only by
self-sacrifice, is there a chance of redemption.
Bibliography
1. Miller, Arthur, The Crucible, Peason Education, 1992
2. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_ACCT.HTM
3. The Crucible, 1996, Nicholas Hytner
