Religion In The Crucible Research Paper

Theme of Religion in ‘The Crucible’ ­Puritanism revolves around the ideology of honest prayer and hard work.
­Play isn’t based on the religious aspect of the play, but the lack of it.
­Puritans were very afraid of hell and the more sins they committed, the closer to hell they were.
­Relates to many issues at the time, the McCarthy era reflecting to the theocracy in
Salem
Historical Background
­Christians in America tried to convert native Americans and failed as the Indians became violent and resentful of their presence.
­Christians preferred to take land from the natives than fellow Christians.
­The Crucible is set in a theocratic society, in which the church and the state are one.
­ Because of the theocratic nature of the society, moral laws and state laws are one and
­Reverend Hale­Minister from Beverly, called in Act One to confirm or deny the presence of witchcraft in Salem. He becomes increasingly worried throughout the play at the amount of accusations put forward, and at the end of Act Three quits the court because of the corruption of the girls accusing innocent people of witchcraft.
­John Proctor­somewhat the hero of the play. Although he is seen as someone who shuns the workings of Parris’ church and has committed lechery. he is an important reminder of how religion can leave someone. Despite his prideful ways, John Proctor describes himself as a "sinner." He has cheated on his wife, and he is loath to admit the crime to anyone else. There are moments when his anger and disgust towards himself burst forth, such as in the climactic moment when he exclaims to Judge Danforth: "I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours." Proctor is the best example of integrity. In a private conversation with his wife about whether he should confess and save his life he says, "I think it is honest, I think so. I am no
­Rebecca Nurse­She is the saintly character of the play. Whereas John Proctor has many flaws, Rebecca seems angelic. She is a nurturing soul, as seen when she tries to comfort the sick and the fearful during Act One. She is a grandmother who exhibits

compassion throughout the play. She is a symbol of the wrongly convicted. This web of characteristics eventually leads to the scarcity of morally strong people .
­Abigail Williams­a model of sin in the play, committed adultery and has dabbled in witchcraft. The important thing to remember is that the play is not demonstrating how
Puritans dealt with witchcraft in their religion, but to see how the lack of religion corrupts the church. People such as Abigail are put into positions of trust and authority, even when they admit to committing sin. Abigail is the reminder of how the church was turned on its head in the Salem witch trials.
Religion in the play Act 1
*Parris has discovered the girls dancing, a mortal sin in the Puritan way of life.
*Parris turns to Abigail, who admits Ruth and Tituba conjured spirits, but insists she
wasn't