The Crucible by Arthur Miller :: Essay on The Crucible

The Crucible by Arthur Miller In this essay I will be assessing Proctors dramatic confrontations. In the play The Crucible the author Arthur Miller has very strong hidden messages against 'McCarthyism', the singling out of individuals in American society and accusing them of an association with groups who are said to be against the American way of life. He expresses his thoughts indirectly instead of writing a play that directly condemns 'McCarthyism'. Miller's message is that the Salem witch trials were wrong, they were destroying innocent individuals with no real evidence. This works as an allegorical metaphor for the wrongs of 'McCarthyism'. In the play The Crucible the key events focus around the character John Proctor, who is the main character, around whom the play revolves and ultimately he is central to the plays intend message. The audience first meets John Proctor when he goes into the crowded parlour in Salem and sees Abigail Williams, who is being questioned about witchcraft. John Proctor says to her 'Ah, you're wicked yet, aren't y'. You'll be clapped in the stocks before you're twenty.' This shows he is a laid back man, who has a different approach to life than most people then, it also shows he knows Abigail well and knows what she is capable of. When John Proctor approaches Abigail you can tell she is attracted to him, as it says 'Since Proctors entrance, Abigail has stood as though on tiptoe, absorbing his presence, wide-eyed.' He is obviously attractive and has a lot of confidence. In this first dramatic confrontation you find out that Proctor has sinned and is therefore classed as a sinner, but not only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own vision of decent conduct. Now that the audience knows he is a sinner they can relate to him as they know no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. As the audience it is important that you believe and be attracted to John Proctors character. Act one ends in hysteria with Abigail and Betty crying out, naming,