The play The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, was about the Salem witchcraft
trials that killed many Puritans in Massachusetts. In this play, Miller shows the reader
that the Puritans, as a whole were not as godly as they were portrayed. Miller also shows
how mass hysteria can be sparked by almost anything. The play takes place in Salem,
Massachusetts in 1692. Reverend Parris's daughter, Betty, falls sick and for some reason
the townspeople suspect witchery. Taking advantage of this situation, a group of
unrespected girls that are greedy and envious of other people's property and belongings
start to accuse people of witchcraft. The court believes them and after all is said and
done, twenty people are put to death, one hundred and fifty are jailed, and the girls flee.
Through this experience, John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, and Reverend John Hale all
experience drastic changes in beliefs, habits, and morale.
John Proctor is a very dynamic character who changes almost everything about
himself from the play's beginning to the play's end. In the second act, Proctor talks with
Elizabeth and finds out that Mary Warren had left the house without permission. As soon
as he sees her, John grabs her by the cloak, furiously shaking her, and says, "How do you
go to Salem when I forbid it? Do you mock me? Ill whip you if you dare leave this
house again!" This statement demonstrates Proctor's quick temperedness and shows that
he is a very emotional person. John Proctor is not a very godly man because he doesn't
go to church much. He even cheated on his wife Elizabeth although he still cares for her.
When she is charged with witchcraft, he goes to the court in an attempt to defend her.
Here he learns to control his anger while becoming a calmer and more reasonable person.
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