Irony In The Crucible

In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, there’s an underlying metaphor throughout the play. The crucible has two meanings, one being a witchcraft trial and the other being a small container used to heat and melt metals and other substances. It’s ironic that Miller used “crucible” in the title of the play because in the small town of Salem, things began to “brew” when the idea of witchcraft came into the play. When people began to be accused of witchcraft, evidently the violent hysteria aroused.
The word itself, “crucible”, relates to the play as a whole because it’s a little container full of violent reactions. With people put into close contact with each other in a small town, problems evidently appear because of human interactions. Any time someone was brought into the …show more content…
If the accused person did not confess, they were hanged. Proctor says, “If she is innocent! Why do you never wonder if Parris be innocent, or Abigail” (pg. 77). Salem, the strict puritan community, that held all the residents, acted as a container. What was being held in the “container” were the god-fearing people of Salem that also had their emotions and feelings. By mixing the characters emotions and feelings with lies and truths, as well as the accusations of witchcraft, Salem was brought to a melting point where people would believe in witchcraft. Danforth says, “Indeed not, but it strike hard upon me that she will dare come here with such a tale. Now, Mr.Proctor, before I decide whether I shall hear you or not, it is my duty to tell you this. We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment” (pg. 89). For example, at first, only slaves were the victims of witchery, but as time went by, well-known citizens were charged for witchcraft such as Elizabeth and John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse and George Jacobs. The people of Salem didn’t want any