Puritan Beliefs Related to Women in The Crucible by Arthur Miller

As individuals, we all come from different aspects of the society, we are all set apart by different experiences and that causes us all have different understandings on certain situations. These contrasting views allow everyone to see the world in a variation of ways which in turn changes how the truth is told. The Crucible, by Arthur Miller discusses the events of the Salem witch trials and explains how Salem people’s unjust views toward women shape the truth by allowing prejudices to take control of decisions in the play. The males in the play are faced with the expectations of a strong tough figure which plays a role in the decisions that are made. The females are forced to portray a delicate victimized role due to the masculine power oppressing them, which makes them couldn’t be able to gain the full respect in court that they deserve, therefore make the tragedy happens. Religious beliefs within Salem people is the major factor that causes the gender inequality and existence of witchcrafts in Salem. 

The Puritans held traditional beliefs about male and female roles. The men held every position of power, and they worked on the farms to provide for their families. They were the only one could be elected as leaders or ministers. However, women were depend on men. They were expected to care for the children and home. They had no reason to leave their homes except to attend church. Furthermore, Salem people’ religion has taught them witches do exist, and they believe that it is possible for a witch to exist in their midst and for them to be unaware of her true identity and allegiance to the Devil. The Bible says, “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live,” and so they believe not only in the existence of witches but in their own religious obligation to room them out and hang them. These witches could theoretically, by anywhere and anyone, regardless of how godly they might seem. For example, people would automatically think about the witchcrafts when nobody could explain the conditions of two illness kids. Overall, it is clear that women were not given the same rights, respects and status as men in the Salem society and clearly explaining why people were so sure about the existence of witchcrafts, rather than wizards, that took place in Salem. 

The way women are mistreated in “The Crucible” is a reflection of the Puritan beliefs of that time. This can be seen when Parris said: “ You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba!.” Putnam then also said: “This women must be hanged! She must be taken and hanged!” Tituba terrified, falls to her knees: “No, no, don’t hang Tituba! …”. This quote shows female oppression because Reverend Parris threatens to hurt Tituba. Tituba is just a women from another society. When Tituba falls to the floor, she lowers herself, which symbolizes that women will always be lower than the men in this society, as the men is literary looking down upon her. Many men believe that they have the right to beat obedience into women. An example of physical abuse is when Proctor yelles, “I’ll whip you if you dare leave this house again!” to his wife. Then Elizabeth became quiet and submissive to her husband, in other words, his personal slave. This clearly shows this woman is controlled by a man in this instance and he does not allow her to express the rights that she should have. 

Arthur Miller accentuates the oppression of women in “The Crucible” through numerous examples and manifests the idea that women are inferior to men. Miller shows how society cast women as weak and unequal, which as a result deems the role of women in society insignificant. All of these unjust attitudes, mistreatments and prejudices toward women make their lives and densities to be easily control, or even destroy by others. In the end of the play, we know many innocent women were being hang, including Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey, as ones of the most respectful, faithful, godly women in the town, but they couldn’t be able to defend themselves until they die. Because they have no powers to do that. Puritans believe that women shouldn’t take part in court because women’s lack of knowledge. Although Elizabeth Proctor is a good mother and a good house wife, known in the town as being one of the most honest people ever. But regardless of these, she still has been accused of witchcrafts and was sent to the prison. John Proctor held his wife Elizabeth’s life in his own decisions, whether defend the wife he has wronged or save lives he has placed in jeopardy because of his affair with Abigail. Proctor choose to admit his affair with Abigail and that completely ruined Elizabeth’s life. This shows how Puritan women were completely and utterly controlled and can be broken emotionally by the men in their lives. 

Women plays a crucial role in “The Crucible”. They are the entire foundation to the play. The way women are mistreated and prejudiced in this play is a reflection of the Puritan beliefs of that time, therefore shape the “truth” of the play and the results of those women. Overall, Arthur Miller wants to tell the readers about the importance of gender equality through this play, and does not wish this kinds of tragedy happens again. Fortunately in today’s society, the existence of gender inequality, discrimination and prejudices are decreasing and women start to gain the respects and rights that they deserve. Women began to involve actively in many different forms of activities and has brought tremendous positive impacts to the society. Every person deserves to have the right to steer which direction they want to take their life, no matter in the field of science, or involve in government, it is about the equal rights to do so.