A crucible is a "severe test or trial." In this story written by Arthur Miller, each character is faced with a test. This test is the test of honesty.
             Many of these characters did not pass this test. Abigail Williams, a young girl, probably failed worse than anyone else. Not only does she have a secret adulterous relationship with a man by the name of John Proctor, but she is also involved with witchcraft. Abigail also secretly wants to kill Elizabeth Proctor, John's wife, and when a friend, Mary Warren, gives Elizabeth a doll, Abigail puts a needle in it. She then stabs herself with the needle and claims Elizabeth tried to kill her. Elizabeth is put in prison. Abigail also lies and says she is not involved in witchcraft and that Mary Warren is trying to cast her spirit on the courts. Another person who failed this test is John Proctor. He begins the story having an adulterous relationship with Abigail and then trying to pretend it never happened. He hides this secret for a long time. He also "accidentally" forgets to recite the commandment about adultery. It is not until the end that John Proctor realizes that the life of his wife was more important to him than his reputation and therefore he confesses to his affair with Abigail. After John confesses however, Elizabeth is questioned. This is when she fails the test. Although no one believed she would lie, Elizabeth was not sure her husband how confessed the court and did not want to ruin his reputation, so she lies for him.
             Although many characters failed this test, there are also some that passed. Mary Warren passed this test because she was honest throughout the story. She stood up for Elizabeth Proctor when she knew what was going on was wrong and that Elizabeth was being falsely accused. Although she tells the court she saw spirits and accused people of witchcraft, she soon repents and confesses that none of that was true. Another hon
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