Salem Witch Trials and the Crucible - Research Paper Example

Salem Witch Trials and ‘The Crucible’ During the 17th century, the phenomenon of witches and witchcraft was made the basis for undertaking crucial political steps. Religious clerics, jury, were also involved in accusing people, especially women for witchcraft. “The play clearly has major political implications and acts as a metaphor for McCarthyism.” (Cochrane, DEFA Film library) Though the play is not history itself, but it based upon historical facts and characters, like Judge Hawthorne, who was “was an extremely religious man. Because of his belief in the supernatural, he took accusations very seriously.” (MacbBain, 28) The Christian belief in the supernatural triggered witchcraft trials in an uncontrolled manner, as the accusations of the arrested witches brought everyone in the vicious circle. The Crucible brings to us the horrifying details of the Salem witchcraft trials that ruined the lives and families of hundreds of individuals. The Salem witchcraft trials spurred passive reactions of the people against the greedy pulpit and the political system of Salem. The freedom of the people was limited by the pulpit and the society was not functioning as a whole. Surprisingly, the witchcraft trials gave them a chance to settle old scores with their neighbours or enemies, as accusing anyone of witch craft was so simple. “The Crucible lives on as Miller’s most frequently produced play worldwide. Through it, the Salem witchcraft trials became a symbol not just of McCarthyism, but of any governmental policy based on fear, ignorance, and abuse of power”. (Wilson, 93) The play opens with a scene in Reverend Parris room, and from his conversation with Abigail, his niece, it comes to light that he had spotted his daughter and niece in the forests, dancing around. He accuses her by saying: “Abominations are done in the forest.” To which she respond: “It were sport, uncle.” (Act 1, scene 1) From this conversation, it is revealed how different perspectives can lead to different thinking and attitudes. The merry dance of the girls in the forest was viewed by Parris as some ‘obscene’ practice, or conjuring of spirits. As the play develops, it is seen that minor actions or responses of Betty, Parris’s daughter are related to witchcraft. Betty was unconscious and someone or the other was suggesting that she might have been possessed. “She cannot hear the Lord’s name. Mark it for a sign, Mark it!” (Act 1, Scene 1) The cases of witch trials were constructed partially from imagination and partially from superstition. The authenticity of facts was not taken into consideration and thus people were victimized one after the other for practising witchcraft. When Mr. Hale, the minister comes to see Betty, he probes into the matter so as to confirm his preset conclusion by asking questions like: “What sort of dancing?... what sort of soup?...You did not notice any living thing in the kettle?... Did you call the Devil last night?...” (Act 1, scene 1) Witch craft was an implanted phenomenon that was to serve great political interests in Salem. The greatest purpose it was to achieve was to control and govern the people through force and threat of being accused of witchcraft. “The witch hunt was a perverse manifestation of the panic which set in among all classes when the balance began to turn toward greater individual freedom.” (Miller, 8) The mindset of the seventeenth century clergy is revealed that imposed restrictions on the actions and behaviours of individuals so that they may not turn against it. Proctor was a local farmer and his first contact with Abigail in the play reveals past intimacy. He seems to be an outspoken person and is conscious of the havoc that might be rendered in Salem on account of witchcraft. “I have heard you to be a sensible man, Mr. Hale. I hope you’ll leave some of it in Salem.” (Act 1, Scene 1) Abigail makes a wild confession of dancing for the devil and in a response to it, Betty wakes up and together they start naming people randomly and thus began the frenzy of witchcraft trials. Proctor was aware of the fact that it was all fraud, but he chose not to go to the court and say anything against it. He could have urged Abigail to confess the truth that there was no witchcraft but he chose to remain silent. “...the play is constructed on a conspiracy of silence in which characters do not divulge the truth about others— or, more importantly, about themselves— and gradually fall prey to a deceit so pervasive as to be believed.” (Terry, 61) However, when he decides to speak up, it is too late. “I have never knew until tonight that the world is gone daft with this nonsense.” (Act 1, Scene 2) As Proctor gets involved in the vicious circle of witchcraft trials, he realizes the importance of speaking up against the system. His realization was awakened by the circumstances when they hit him. This shows that Salem was a place where people did not share communal interests. The selfishness of the political system and that of clergy was reflected in the attitudes of the people. Proctor was aware of the extent of destruction of society on account of unproved accusations being made against each other. When his wife was charged with witchcraft, he musters up courage to put an end to all this in the court. The confession of Proctor regarding his affair with Abigail is a manifestation of his courage to change the course of time and consequences in Salem. “I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat! But it is a whore’s vengeance, and you must see it; I set myself entirely in your hands, I know you must see it now. My wife is innocent, except she know a whore when she see one.” (Act 2, Scene 2) John Proctor is thrown in the dungeon and his life could only be saved if he lies about his statement. He chooses not to do so, and utters: “Then who will judge me? God in Heaven, what is John Proctor, what is John Proctor!” (Act 2, Scene 3) As the momentum of witchcraft trials increased, almost everyone is Salem got affected by it, except for the rich and influential people. Thus Proctor and many other innocent people like him became the victims of witchcraft trials that were spurred up by personal vengeance and political and religious authoritarian rules. The witchcraft trials in a sense gave the people a sense of realization of their individual freedom and their relationship to society. The witches’ phenomenon and the witchcraft trials speak of the darkest times of human history. It also helped people in later years to understand the importance of facts and truths. It highlighted the potential of lies that could wreak havoc in society, just in the case of Abigail Williams, who was but one example of the people who used the phenomenon of witchcraft to avenge others for personal reasons. Work Cited Cochrane, Eric. Die Hexen von Salem - The Crucible. DEFA Film library, University of Massachusetts Amherst. MacBain, Jenny. The Salem Witch Trials: A Primary Source History of the Witchcraft Trials in Salem, Massachusetts. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2003. Print. Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. Ed. Susan Abbotson. London: A&C Black Publishers Limited, 2010. Print. Otten, Terry. Temptation of Innocence in the Dramas of Arthur Miller. Columbia, MO, USA: University of Missouri Press, 2002. Print. Wilson, Lori. How History is Invented: The Salem Witch trials. Minneapolis: Learners Publications Company, 1997. Print. Read More