The Portrayal of Women and Their Position in Society in Miller’s the Crucible
From the very beginning, society has seen women as inheriting the character flaw of Eve 's original sin. Most people see women as lustful beings because of how Eve tempted Adam in the garden of Eden, meaning they were more susceptible to the Devil. Men target the females because of their views and the roles they play in a male dominated society. Men have a more opinionated view of a woman 's duties. The Crucible portrays women as the very definition of sexual desire, open to demonic command and beneath the common beggar, with little or no reputation attached to their name.
Society mistreated most women in Salem 1692. Being a female means she is automatically open to abuse by men and even other women who saw themselves as being above you. When men such as Reverend Parris needed to feel in control, they’d make unnecessary threats such as “I’ll show you a great doin’ on your arse one of these days”, threats as this are unwarranted for and were used just to regain the much needed authority (Miller 21). Another example of men dominating women would be when Mary Warren says, “Mr Proctor! I am eighteen and a woman, however single!” but she has enough guts to stand up for herself (Miller 60). As if it isn’t enough to be abused by men, women such as Abigail add to it by calling good women such as Elizabeth, bitter, cold, and sniveling (Miller 12). Many men even believe they have the right to beat obedience into women. An example of physical abuse to women is when Proctor yells, “ I’ll whip you if you dare leave this house again” (Miller 55). The maidens are to be quiet and submissive to her husband, in other words his personal slave.
The women in the late 1600’s are to follow a very strict moral and religious role. Their tasks were to take care of the home, the children and tend to their husbands every whim. From the very beginning of the play, there seems to be hidden sexual tension. Men believed, young women were compelled to destroy righteous and dutiful men
Society mistreated most women in Salem 1692. Being a female means she is automatically open to abuse by men and even other women who saw themselves as being above you. When men such as Reverend Parris needed to feel in control, they’d make unnecessary threats such as “I’ll show you a great doin’ on your arse one of these days”, threats as this are unwarranted for and were used just to regain the much needed authority (Miller 21). Another example of men dominating women would be when Mary Warren says, “Mr Proctor! I am eighteen and a woman, however single!” but she has enough guts to stand up for herself (Miller 60). As if it isn’t enough to be abused by men, women such as Abigail add to it by calling good women such as Elizabeth, bitter, cold, and sniveling (Miller 12). Many men even believe they have the right to beat obedience into women. An example of physical abuse to women is when Proctor yells, “ I’ll whip you if you dare leave this house again” (Miller 55). The maidens are to be quiet and submissive to her husband, in other words his personal slave.
The women in the late 1600’s are to follow a very strict moral and religious role. Their tasks were to take care of the home, the children and tend to their husbands every whim. From the very beginning of the play, there seems to be hidden sexual tension. Men believed, young women were compelled to destroy righteous and dutiful men