Theocracy In The Crucible

According to the Meriam-Webster Dictionary a crucible is defined as “a severe test; a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development.” Such is fitting for the title of Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, based on the true story of a town in colonial Massachusetts, Salem, and the series of trials, hearings, and prosecutions that occurred between 1692 and 1693, in what would be later known as the Salem Witch Trials. During this time period, many residents would be accused of witchcfraft, and after the chaos had concluded nineteen would be dead. Miller’s play focuses on the effect the trials have on the residents of Salem, especially a respected farmer, John Proctor, and how the confusion and …show more content…
The town of Salem, like most Puritan settlements of the 1600s, is a theocracy, and as such the Church commands the highest level of respect, authority, and devotion in the community. All of these are challenged, however, when the Salem Witch Trials begin. Reverend Parris, Salem’s head minister, is stunned when rumors of witchcraft spring up. However, rather than shooting the rumors down and directing the people back to God’s presence in Salem and His Divine Power, Parris does little to ease the fears of the town, sending for Reverend John Hale, an expert in seeking out and destroying witchcraft, to come and investigate. This leads to many people accepting that the Devil is alive and well in Salem, and this causes them to question the power the Church has, as they question how strong the Church really is if the devil can corrupt and live among people of God. The situation worsens for the Church once the trials begin, however, as within a short time period thirty-nine members of Salem are accused of witchcraft, many of which are respected members of the church who live honorable and holy lives. In addition, a majority of the accusers are people who were accused of witchcraft themselves, who “admitted” that they had worked with the devil and “repented” for their …show more content…
The town of Salem is torn apart during the trials, as members of the community turn their backs on one another and begin to sacrifice their friendships and loyalty for personal gain, and the highly respected elements of the Church and court systems are both undermined as people expose and become fed up with their unusual and unproductive judgements and decisions, leaving two of the previously most respected parts of the community in shambles. The play perfectly displays humanity’s tendency to lose control when faced with a massive test or crucible, and revert to individuality and superstition. By demonstrating the awful outcome this led to in Salem, Miller teaches those who view and read the play to never lose faith when faced with a daunting challenge, and hold on to their morals and work with others to overcome the task, so that the confusion and chaos of the Salem Witch Trials may hopefully never be repeated