Throughout The Crucible there was a theme of static and dynamic characters. Some characters held on to their beliefs while others got caught up in the madness and corruption of the Salem Witch Trials. Very few people were able to understand what was truly going on, due to fear of the court, lack of education, and fear of being wrong. By the time they figured it out the truth, many people had already been hanged. Although some people were able to stand strong during the heavy persecution, it is undeniable that many inhabitants of Salem were changed after the events that took place.
A character that displayed major growth throughout the timeline of the play was John Proctor. Despite being accused and treated like he was a heathen, John refused to break in his beliefs. By the end of the drama he had matured in his faith, his love for his wife, and his self respect. His transformation is especially apparent during the trial when he testifies against Abigail in an attempt to convince the court that the witch trials was an fraud. He declares that he had committed adultery with Abigail Williams in front of the entire town in an attempt to save his wife. After he was sentenced to be hanged and given a chance to live by confessing, he proved his character by facing his death instead of lying. By not confessing, he kept …show more content…
This play displayed how different people react to mass hysteria, pressured situations, and fear. Those components led to people showing their true colors. The lack of education played a major factor in the events because no one had any sense of logic or reasoning. Even though the puritans were thought of as whole and pure, it shows that even a group of people that are thought of as morally sound can crack under pressure. Whether they were accused, an accuser, on the court, or even a spectator of the madness, no one was left unchanged after the Salem Witch