Symbolism of The Illuminati Mark in The Play "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller

Introduction: The Struggle for Survival

Survival is key to living, so what will you do for it? I have come to realize that our world is very corrupt, to the point that even those we believed to be good can turn out to be bad. Even the innocent may transform into the impure just for survival. The symbol of the Illuminati sign represents all the evil roaming through Salem, Massachusetts, and illustrates how the Illuminati is perceived as a group that claims to be superior and the key to survival. This connects with how everyone in Salem began to believe in the existence of witches, thinking that siding with these girls was their only way to survive. This symbol primarily targets those who believe in witchcraft and accuse others to avoid being accused themselves, even when they know right from wrong. The elements in this symbol represent the idea that people will join evil forces to survive.

Symbolism of The Illuminati Mark in The Play "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller

Arthur Miller explores the theme of evil in "The Crucible" by depicting it through the actions of the people of Salem. For example, Abigail Williams, a girl from Salem, knows she has done wrong but refuses to admit it, so she shifts the blame onto Tituba, a Barbados slave whom she knows no one will believe. Abigail exclaims, “I never called him! (Speaking about the devil) Tituba, Tituba” (Miller, 1953, p. 42). Abigail accuses Tituba of forcing her into the devil's clutches, making herself appear harmless and innocent in everyone's eyes. Abigail is a central figure in the chaos, manipulating everyone, especially the other girls, and controlling their actions. This behavior aligns with traits of a sociopath, as Abigail exhibits a lack of emotion when harming others, a condition some attribute to her troubled childhood. Her sociopathic tendencies are evident as she orchestrates fear and manipulation, compelling others to join her ranks.

The Power of Manipulation and Fear

This drawing also illustrates the evil perceived by those who remain silent and those who speak up to survive. In the town, a belief in witches takes hold. When Hale begins interrogating Tituba about being a witch, he questions her, “Who came to you with the devil, two, three? Four? How many?” (Miller, 1953, p. 46). This all started with Abigail's accusation, leading Hale to believe that Tituba and others are witches. Out of cruelty, Hale gathers some town leaders who begin to whip Tituba to extract a confession. Despite not being a witch, Tituba, out of fear, declares, “There was four, there was four.” Although she knows it's false, she understands it's her only way to escape death. This marks the beginning of a series of accusations against those who lack the power to defend themselves.

The Symbol of Cruelty and Conformity

The main purpose of this symbol is to represent the cruelty pervading Salem, from the accuser to the silent victims. This symbol demonstrates that many people will side with wrongdoings to save themselves rather than stand up for what they know is right. It also highlights the tendency of people to follow a leader, and in this case, the ringleader is Abigail. She controls Salem, manipulating everyone to ensure they don't accuse her.

Conclusion: The Price of Survival

In Salem, those accused of witchcraft are often innocent individuals targeted because they are disliked by the girls. As a result, everyone feels compelled to justify their beliefs and sides with these girls, believing that the only way to survive this horrifying tragedy is to align with them. This situation demonstrates that people may choose to side with evil when their lives are at stake.

References

• Miller, A. (1953). The Crucible. New York: Viking Press.