The Crucible
Mikael Kovtun
The idea of a severe test is central in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. A handful of characters are subjected to tests by others to determine if they are rightfully accused of witchcraft. John Proctor, the story’s main protagonist, has the most severe test, which involves his morality and self-respect. Other characters such as Elizabeth Proctor, Giles Corey, and Mary Warren go through more mild tests. All of these tests demonstrate the fear and paranoia during the Salem witch trials. John Proctor was tested on his self-respect. Before the play starts, Proctor commits adultery with Abigail Williams. He cannot forgive himself for his sin and does not want to have anybody else find out, because his name is his best …show more content…
According the Giles, his wife, Martha, was reading books which was preventing him from praying. He reports this to Reverend Hale, saying “It discomfits me! Last night - mark this - I tried and tried and could not say my prayers. And then she close her book and walks out of the house, and suddenly - mark this - I could pray again!” (40) He accuses her of witchcraft, but regrets it later. He thinks his wife is innocent. In court, he tries to defend Martha by calling out Putnam’s greed for land as the reason the witch trials are taking place. The argument backfires, and he is accused of witchcraft. He neither confesses to nor denies to the charges in order to ensure his property can legally inherit his property. He is tortured by pressing to try and get him to claim a stance. Just before his death, he mutters “More weight.” Giles’s test was a test of character. He didn’t want his property to be auctioned off or taken by Putnam after his accusation, so he kept a neutral stance, and died a martyr’s death. He succeeded his test because he showed an incredible display of character by enduring one of the worst torture methods. If he had assumed a stance he likely wouldn’t have made it out alive anyway, but also surrendered his land to the highest
Mikael Kovtun
The idea of a severe test is central in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. A handful of characters are subjected to tests by others to determine if they are rightfully accused of witchcraft. John Proctor, the story’s main protagonist, has the most severe test, which involves his morality and self-respect. Other characters such as Elizabeth Proctor, Giles Corey, and Mary Warren go through more mild tests. All of these tests demonstrate the fear and paranoia during the Salem witch trials. John Proctor was tested on his self-respect. Before the play starts, Proctor commits adultery with Abigail Williams. He cannot forgive himself for his sin and does not want to have anybody else find out, because his name is his best …show more content…
According the Giles, his wife, Martha, was reading books which was preventing him from praying. He reports this to Reverend Hale, saying “It discomfits me! Last night - mark this - I tried and tried and could not say my prayers. And then she close her book and walks out of the house, and suddenly - mark this - I could pray again!” (40) He accuses her of witchcraft, but regrets it later. He thinks his wife is innocent. In court, he tries to defend Martha by calling out Putnam’s greed for land as the reason the witch trials are taking place. The argument backfires, and he is accused of witchcraft. He neither confesses to nor denies to the charges in order to ensure his property can legally inherit his property. He is tortured by pressing to try and get him to claim a stance. Just before his death, he mutters “More weight.” Giles’s test was a test of character. He didn’t want his property to be auctioned off or taken by Putnam after his accusation, so he kept a neutral stance, and died a martyr’s death. He succeeded his test because he showed an incredible display of character by enduring one of the worst torture methods. If he had assumed a stance he likely wouldn’t have made it out alive anyway, but also surrendered his land to the highest