The Crucible Critical Analysis

The Crucible tells of a liberal fictionalization in the eyes of Arthur Miller that shows the activities that occurred during the Salem Witch Hunts. This play was written during a time in which citizens of the Unites Staes feared a rise of power in the Soviet Union. The main themes were reputation, fear, and reprisal. These themes are shown throughout the dialogue and monologue. This play teaches of the fear and vengefulness of the Puritans

A good reputation was what every Puritan wanted. This way you can be overlooked as being less likely to be a witch. No one was allowed to work on Sunday and everyone was expected to attend church daily. Anything a citizen does is known by the town. John Proctor and Reverend Parris are examples of characters
Many people are out to get one another for fear and for their own selfish needs. The secret between Abigail Williams and John Proctor is what causes the most uproar in the story. Abigail worked for Elizabeth Proctor in her home as a helper. Mrs. Proctor started to sense bad omens about Abigail being in her home so she was fired. Abigail then claims that Mrs. Proctor is a witch and created a voodoo doll to cause damage to her soul. Abigail starts these claims so that John Proctor will leave his wife when she has died and will be with her. Nurse Rebecca delivered all eight of Ann Putnam’s children and only one child survived. Mrs. Putnam then claims that Rebecca did this purpose and is therefore a witch. Thomas Putnam is a wealthy man and is the first character to start accusing citizens of witchcraft. Thomas Putnam was a wealthy man who owned a lot of land. He used his daughter Ruth to accuse people and take their land away from them after they died. it was a law that if you died that your property was available for auction. Thomas Putnam was the only man around that was able to afford land. He did this to people that were competing with them in an attempt to deplete his competition. (Thomas Putnam