Today we live in a very curious society, a society that is eager to learn and acquire knowledge about someone or something. The curiosity of our society leads us to test things. A test is a process of critical evaluation or a basis for judgement. Tests and trials are apart of society and therefore apart of life. Everyone undergoes them because they determine one's character. In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, the term crucible applies to John Proctor in that he undergoes severe tests, which involve Abigail Williams, Reverend John Hale, and the Theocracy.
             From the commencement of the play, John has been severely tested by Abigail. In the first act of The Crucible, we meet Abigail Williams and John Proctor. Abby is the classic manipulator. She is a rebellious, disrespectful, determined prevaricator who is infatuated with John Proctor. John Proctor is a sinning, feared but respected man in Salem. We discover that Abby and John have had an affair in which Abby wishes to continue. But John is married to the honest Elizabeth who has already detected an amour between Proctor and Abigail. In Act One, John comes to the home of Reverend Parris, Abigail's uncle. He has heard talk of witchcraft. At Parris' home, it becomes evident that John Proctor is done with Abby however, persistent Abby is not finished with John. Abby wretchedly tests John's loyalty to Elizabeth by trying to seduce him. She flirts with John and asks him to give her soft words but John denies her request. In a counter-response, Abby tauntingly questions his motives for coming because she doubts he came five miles to witness witchcraft. John Proctor, in response to her teasing, more firmly rejects Abby. After Abby who is beginning to anger, spawns talk of the affair, she says, "I have a sense for heat, John, and yours has drawn me to my window, and I have seen you looking up, burning in your loneliness" (1. 23). Apparentl...