Analysis of The Main Themes in The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Over 200 people were accused of witchcraft in a court case called the Salem Witch Trials , and 19 people were executed, In a court case called the Salem Witch Trials. A play that express the feelings of the people of Salem were shown, In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, there are many difficult decisions made and life lessons learned. Lies and deceit, respect and reputation, and, compassion and forgiveness are there major themes that show itself out in the play.

Three Prominent Themes of "The Crubicle"

The first important theme in this play is lies and deceit. This play makes the radical argument that no kind of deception is justified can ever be truly justified. Most of the characters in The Crucible are lying .If not to other people, then to themselves. Abigail lies about her ability to see spirits, as do the other girls in the play. Proctor is guilty of a few things. First for cheating on his wife and then for hiding it. judge and lieutenant governor and ministers lie to themselves and everybody else in saying that they serve the cause of God’s justice. The twist in the story is that by telling the truth, you die, but you also gain your freedom.

Another important theme in this play is respect and reputation. Reputation is extremely important in a town where social standing is tied to one’s ability to follow religious rules. Your good name is the only way you can get other people to do business with you, or even get a fair hearing. Also reputation means nothing when a witchcraft accusation was staring you in the face. But reputation is what made the Reverend Hale begin to doubt whether the accused individuals were actually guilty. And it was for the sake of his reputation and his friends’ reputations that John Proctor refuses to sign a false confession. He would, quite literally, rather die. Although John Proctor goes to his death falsely condemned as a witch, he gains his reputation and respect among those who matter, like his wife, because he refuses to falsely identify his friends and neighbors as witches. The loss of Abigail’s reputation toward the end of the play shows that characters in The Crucible eventually earn the reputations they deserve, despite the personal tragedies that might take place along the way.

The third important theme in this play is compassion and forgiveness. John Proctor is in desperate need of forgiveness at the start of the play. But his wife seems torn about whether to grant it. He committed adultery earlier that year while she was sick, and though his lover Abigail, is now out of his life, Elizabeth still judges him for it. More importantly, he still judges himself. It isn’t until Elizabeth forgives him and admits her own faults that John Proctor is able to forgive himself. It is also what gives him the courage to go to his death. Even though John Proctor wants his wife’s forgiveness, he actually needs to forgive himself, just like she says. Although Elizabeth Proctor argues that John is his own worst judge and needs to forgive himself, she is justified to think that he is still not completely faithful in his heart.

In conclusion, The Crucible is a play that express the feelings of the people of Salem. In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, there were many difficult decisions made and life lessons learned. Lies and deceit, respect and reputation, and, compassion and forgiveness are there major themes that show itself out in the play.    

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