1
ENG 02
09 April 2021
Word Count: 1082
THE CRUCIBLE.
Puritans were English Protestants, and the religion of the time during the Salem Witch
Trials. This is precisely the topic of Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, published in 1953.
Throughout the play, Miller criticizes this religion through certain aspects, such as fidelity, envy,
and selfishness, including the structure of power at the heart of it all. Miller uses biblical
allusions aligned to his characters, John Proctor, Abigail, and Parris to condemn these patriarchal
standards, as well as reveal hypocrisy to the reader.
When Elizabeth Proctor is accused, John Proctor’s defense of his wife serves to reveal
hypocrisy and double standards. This is shown when Reverend Hale questions the couple, and
finds “softness” in their Christian faith. John Proctor fights, saying “There be no love for Satan
in this house, Mister”. (64) This “softness” Reverend Hale finds mirrors the pitfalls of
Puritanism. As a married couple, Elizabeth and John are required to uphold the standards this
theocracy places upon them. Once they do not, instead of finding comfort and peace in their faith
and neighbours, the town becomes hysterical, and an opportunity to become a victim of the same
religion they claim to worship comes to pass. Proctor is one of the first characters to realize the
hypocrisy of the situation, speaking “Is the accuser always holy now? Were they born this
morning as clean as God’s fingers?” (73) Proctor realizes this issue within the court, and the
town themselves is a power struggle of the patriarchy, an opportunity taken by men. The
, 2
reference to “God’s fingers” are the accusers and judges who hold everyone to an impossible
standard, one upheld by the theocracy and the patriarchy. Proctor makes a final stand against
Herrick, the deputies and Reverend Hale with a warning, “Pontius Pilate! God will not let you
wash your hands of this!” (73) Pontius Pilate is the Roman official who had presided over the
trial of Jesus, and condemned him to crucifiction. This allusion refers to Proctor crying out
against their ignorance, letting them know that their sins are not unseen, by him and by God. It is
here where Proctor reveals his knowledge of the unfair power structure built by these judges and
the accusers, and condemns it. The usage of these references results in a proud statement made
against the power imbalance of the patriarchy, and of the theocracy found in Salem.
Miller also uses Abigail Williams’ character to condemn the patriarchy, while also
revealing the hypocrisy of their religion. There is a confrontation between Abigail and Proctor in
Act One, wherein Abigail states, “I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these
Christian women and covenanted men!” (22) Here, Abigail is questioning the teachings of this
religion, and that of its harsh impositions upon society. Abigail has been misled by these
teachings, and the system that taught her, the patriarchy. While she should not be chasing Proctor
anymore, it is partly due to her teachings she continues to do so. Elizabeth Proctor’s retelling of
what she’s heard to John Proctor reveals what the town is gossiping about Abigail, “Where she
walks the crowd will part like the sea for Israel.” (50) Here is a clear example of Abigail and her
crew’s new power, thus shifting the dynamic found previously in Salem. While it was previously
fear of other men in power, there is now fear of occult practices in the community, and as such, a
fear of being accused. The reference made to Israel suggests that Abigail will lead everyone to a
promised land, even if she is being led by selfish motives and quite hypocritical. In court, secrets
ENG 02
09 April 2021
Word Count: 1082
THE CRUCIBLE.
Puritans were English Protestants, and the religion of the time during the Salem Witch
Trials. This is precisely the topic of Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, published in 1953.
Throughout the play, Miller criticizes this religion through certain aspects, such as fidelity, envy,
and selfishness, including the structure of power at the heart of it all. Miller uses biblical
allusions aligned to his characters, John Proctor, Abigail, and Parris to condemn these patriarchal
standards, as well as reveal hypocrisy to the reader.
When Elizabeth Proctor is accused, John Proctor’s defense of his wife serves to reveal
hypocrisy and double standards. This is shown when Reverend Hale questions the couple, and
finds “softness” in their Christian faith. John Proctor fights, saying “There be no love for Satan
in this house, Mister”. (64) This “softness” Reverend Hale finds mirrors the pitfalls of
Puritanism. As a married couple, Elizabeth and John are required to uphold the standards this
theocracy places upon them. Once they do not, instead of finding comfort and peace in their faith
and neighbours, the town becomes hysterical, and an opportunity to become a victim of the same
religion they claim to worship comes to pass. Proctor is one of the first characters to realize the
hypocrisy of the situation, speaking “Is the accuser always holy now? Were they born this
morning as clean as God’s fingers?” (73) Proctor realizes this issue within the court, and the
town themselves is a power struggle of the patriarchy, an opportunity taken by men. The
, 2
reference to “God’s fingers” are the accusers and judges who hold everyone to an impossible
standard, one upheld by the theocracy and the patriarchy. Proctor makes a final stand against
Herrick, the deputies and Reverend Hale with a warning, “Pontius Pilate! God will not let you
wash your hands of this!” (73) Pontius Pilate is the Roman official who had presided over the
trial of Jesus, and condemned him to crucifiction. This allusion refers to Proctor crying out
against their ignorance, letting them know that their sins are not unseen, by him and by God. It is
here where Proctor reveals his knowledge of the unfair power structure built by these judges and
the accusers, and condemns it. The usage of these references results in a proud statement made
against the power imbalance of the patriarchy, and of the theocracy found in Salem.
Miller also uses Abigail Williams’ character to condemn the patriarchy, while also
revealing the hypocrisy of their religion. There is a confrontation between Abigail and Proctor in
Act One, wherein Abigail states, “I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these
Christian women and covenanted men!” (22) Here, Abigail is questioning the teachings of this
religion, and that of its harsh impositions upon society. Abigail has been misled by these
teachings, and the system that taught her, the patriarchy. While she should not be chasing Proctor
anymore, it is partly due to her teachings she continues to do so. Elizabeth Proctor’s retelling of
what she’s heard to John Proctor reveals what the town is gossiping about Abigail, “Where she
walks the crowd will part like the sea for Israel.” (50) Here is a clear example of Abigail and her
crew’s new power, thus shifting the dynamic found previously in Salem. While it was previously
fear of other men in power, there is now fear of occult practices in the community, and as such, a
fear of being accused. The reference made to Israel suggests that Abigail will lead everyone to a
promised land, even if she is being led by selfish motives and quite hypocritical. In court, secrets
