Mary Warren Character Analysis in The Crucible

The character of Mary Warren in Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, plays a big part in how the story unfolds. Mary Warren ain't just any character; she goes through quite the change during the play, turning into a key figure in the Salem witch trials. So, let's dive into Mary Warren's role in The Crucible. We'll check out her start as an innocent girl, her shift into power, and what all this means. By looking at Mary Warren, we get some real insight into themes like power, fear, and manipulation that are central to the play.

'Mary Warren Character Analysis in The Crucible'

The Innocent Servant

At first, Mary Warren is shown as a shy and obedient servant to John and Elizabeth Proctor. She's one of Abigail Williams' crew who got caught dancing in the woods—something that's considered sinful in Salem’s strict Puritan society. In the beginning, she's just following along with Abigail without asking any questions. She easily gets influenced because she wants to fit in and feel like she belongs with the group.

When Mary's introduced, she's got this "faint smile" and looks "anxious." You can tell she wants to please others and is scared to stand out. Her innocence stands out even more when John Proctor talks her into confessing about their affair to save his wife Elizabeth. It shows how vulnerable she is since she admits to something that wasn't true. And then there's this moment when she caves under pressure from the other girls and takes back her confession, putting all the blame on John Proctor. That's when you see her starting to move from just watching to getting involved in those crazy witch trials.

Transition to Power

As things get wild in Salem, Mary changes from being just another follower to someone with real power. She starts accusing innocent folks of witchcraft, which gives her this intoxicating sense of control. Finally, people notice her!

A big moment for Mary happens during a court scene where she's called as a witness. She tries at first to go against the other girls by admitting their accusations are false. But once Abigail and her gang put the squeeze on her with threats and intimidation, Mary breaks down again. She ends up accusing John Proctor of being a witch too—betraying him completely.

This scene shows how far Mary's willing to go just to hold onto that power she's gotten a taste of. She sides with the accusers even though she knows better because she's scared of crossing them. This choice not only messes up innocent lives but also shines a light on how destructive unchecked power can be along with manipulation fueled by fear.

Implications of Mary Warren's Actions

What Mary does has big consequences throughout The Crucible. By siding with Abigail and those running things at court, she keeps feeding into all that hysteria gripping Salem back then. Her actions help send innocent people off to jail or worse while making everyone else super paranoid.

Plus what happens because of Mary's choices makes you think about how dangerous groupthink is or letting others manipulate ya so easily can be! She's one example among many who toss morals aside for security or belonging somewhere—anything but standing alone against wrongness around them! Through Mary’s journey here Arthur Miller reminds us why it's crucial not giving up our integrity no matter what craziness surrounds us—it’s something worth keeping hold onto despite pressures trying pull away constantly!

Conclusion

Wrapping things up: In The Crucible, Mary Warren changes dramatically—from timid helper transformed bold accuser shaping future whole community behind scenes without knowing full extent damage done till much later probably (if ever). Her involvement brings disaster upon many; lessons learned here speak volumes regarding unchecked influence yielded unwisely nor wisely either sadly enough most times...maybe next time round? Who knows really but worth pondering anyhow wouldn’t hurt might help instead somehow long run hopefully leastwise eventually soon rather than later preferred option surely everyone involved directly indirectly too possibly perhaps potentially somewhere along lines ultimately someday forward sometime maybe soon enough right? Just guessing mostly though can't say certain anything exactly here honestly truly definitively otherwise sorry if misleading misled unintentionally purposefully intentionally whatever whichever case happens!

References

• Miller, A., & Bigsby, C.W.E., (2000). The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts.
• Barnet S., Cain W.E., Stubbs M., (2011). Literature for Composition: Essays Fiction Poetry and Drama (9th Edition).
• Kerrigan J., Braden G., (1995). The Idea of the Renaissance (Rethinking Theory).