Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible portrays several symbolic characters that develop the themes of guilt, revenge, manipulation, and intolerance. Guilt, revenge, manipulation, and intolerance are four of the most prevalent themes in the play. Characters that are symbolic of the four previously stated themes include John Proctor who heavily symbolizes the theme of guilt, Abigail Williams who symbolizes the theme of revenge, Abigail Williams symbolizes the theme of manipulation, and Deputy Governor Danforth who symbolizes the theme of intolerance. Revenge is the most prevalent theme in the play. The symbolic character that aids to the development of the theme of revenge is Abigail Williams. Abigail Williams accuses John Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth,
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Again, Abigail Williams is the main character that symbolizes the theme of manipulation. Abigail was able to manipulate the other girls into not telling the truth about what happened in the woods. “ Let either of you breath a word, or the edge of a word… I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you” (Act 1, 1244). Abigail manipulated the girls to keep their mouths shut by threatening to kill them. By threatening to kill the girls Abigail was able to keep them quiet and get them to follow her lead in all of her actions. Abigail was also able to specifically manipulate Mary Warren. While John Proctor was in the court room trying to clear his wife 's name by using a deposition Mary Warren had signed Abigail manipulated Mary to turn against John. Abigail frames Mary while in court by saying that she sees Mary Warren in the form of a yellow bird. “Oh, please, Mary! Don’t come down” (Act III, 1312). Abigail at this point was accusing Mary of practicing witchcraft and to save herself she turns against John. Abigail was also able to manipulate the court …show more content…
Deputy Governor Danforth portrays intolerance by denying anyone the right to speak out against the court, give depositions, or have lawyers aid them in their trial. Danforth does not allow John to present Mary’s deposition to the court. “No, no, I accept no depositions” ( Act III, 1294). Danforth is not accepting of depositions in his courtroom because he himself believes that there are witches in Salem. If Danforth were to accept the deposition he would have to accept the reality that there is a possibility that the girls that are accusing people of being witches are actually lying.
Another example to Judge Danforth is being intolerant when he says “ a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it” ( Act III, 1298). Danforth is not accepting in the fact that people can be with the court even when they provide information against it. The people in the play that are against the court are just trying to clear their loved ones names. Judge Danforth is intolerant in the fact that he will not accept depositions in his courtroom or allow people to produce evidence that may dispute what the girls are
Again, Abigail Williams is the main character that symbolizes the theme of manipulation. Abigail was able to manipulate the other girls into not telling the truth about what happened in the woods. “ Let either of you breath a word, or the edge of a word… I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you” (Act 1, 1244). Abigail manipulated the girls to keep their mouths shut by threatening to kill them. By threatening to kill the girls Abigail was able to keep them quiet and get them to follow her lead in all of her actions. Abigail was also able to specifically manipulate Mary Warren. While John Proctor was in the court room trying to clear his wife 's name by using a deposition Mary Warren had signed Abigail manipulated Mary to turn against John. Abigail frames Mary while in court by saying that she sees Mary Warren in the form of a yellow bird. “Oh, please, Mary! Don’t come down” (Act III, 1312). Abigail at this point was accusing Mary of practicing witchcraft and to save herself she turns against John. Abigail was also able to manipulate the court …show more content…
Deputy Governor Danforth portrays intolerance by denying anyone the right to speak out against the court, give depositions, or have lawyers aid them in their trial. Danforth does not allow John to present Mary’s deposition to the court. “No, no, I accept no depositions” ( Act III, 1294). Danforth is not accepting of depositions in his courtroom because he himself believes that there are witches in Salem. If Danforth were to accept the deposition he would have to accept the reality that there is a possibility that the girls that are accusing people of being witches are actually lying.
Another example to Judge Danforth is being intolerant when he says “ a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it” ( Act III, 1298). Danforth is not accepting in the fact that people can be with the court even when they provide information against it. The people in the play that are against the court are just trying to clear their loved ones names. Judge Danforth is intolerant in the fact that he will not accept depositions in his courtroom or allow people to produce evidence that may dispute what the girls are