✍️
The Crucible - Arthur Miller
Q. ‘Elizabeth Proctor is more admirable than her husband’ Do you agree?
INTRODUCTION
The Salem witch trials took place between February 1692 and May 1693
with more than 200 being accused
The play is an allegory for the period of McCarthyism in 1950s America in
which extensive attempts were made to root out communist sympathisers,
with a special committee known as the HUAC being set up to investigate
allegations
FOR 1: From the first interactions of both characters, the audience gleans that
Elizabeth is more admirable
Authorial interruption immediately indicates to the audience that John can
not be considered wholly admirable ‘He [John Proctor] is a sinner, not
only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own
vision of decent conduct’ which informs the audience’s consideration of
John’s character as the play progresses
This preconceived notion is strengthened in John’s first interaction with
Abigail in which it is clear his feelings for her which culminated in his
adulterous actions are still present ‘(Looking at Abigail now, the
faintest suggestion of a knowing smile on his face) What’s this
mischief here?’ - stage directions convey repressed feelings, tense,
charged atmosphere created by flirtatious question
This is in contrast to Elizabeth’s refusal to pass judgement on her
husband in spite of his disloyalty; ‘I do not judge you. The magistrate
sits in your heart that judges you’ - metaphor, denotes that 1.
Elizabeth does not express her ill-feelings towards her husband as a
result of the affair and 2. John cannot forgive himself for his actions as his
actions were so grossly immoral CONTEXT: It is likely that Elizabeth
attempts to maintain her relationship with John and the marriage as due
The Crucible - Arthur Miller 1
, to her position as a Puritan woman, she likely believed that marriage is
rooted in love and salvation, and represented both a relationship between
the husband and wife, as well as God
FOR 2: Elizabeth is consistent in her character and her commitment to honesty,
whereas John’s sense of integrity is questioned throughout the play
Elizabeth remains true to her principles and does not lie when Hale
questions her on the validity of the accusations ‘I cannot think the Devil
may own a woman’s soul… If you think that I am one, then I say
there are none’ - assertive language and assured tone, chiasmus
combine to highlight Elizabeth’s strength of character CONTEXT:
Elizabeth’s rejection of authority is significant here as she subverts the
conventions of a Puritan woman who were expected to be submissive
and humble at all times
This commitment to honesty continues to Act 3 in which she is evasive
when questioned on her husband’s integrity as she is committed to
husband ‘‘(not knowing what to say) She - dissatisfied me (Pause)
And my husband… He is never drunk as some are, nor’ wasting
time at the shovelboard’… ‘Did he indeed turn from you… (faintly)
No, sir’’ - in spite of lie audience recognises from stuttering dialogue that
no blame can be placed on Elizabeth for her lie as it is evident she
means to protect her husband therefore strengthening her admirability
This is in contrast to John’s rejection of his principles when he rebukes
his decision to admit the affair to Elizabeth ‘But I wilted, and, like a
Christian, I confessed. Confessed!’ - simile and repetition provokes the
sense that John regrets his decision to be honest with his wife as he
rejects his beliefs on honesty as a Christian, calling into question both his
commitment to his religion and the moral significance this carries as well
as his sense of integrity
FOR 3: Elizabeth is more admirable as her parental responsibility towards both
her own children and towards Mary Warren is more significant than that of John’s
Upon arrest Elizabeth’s first concern is her children ‘(She is fighting her
weeping) When the children wake, speak nothing of witchcraft it will
frighten them’ - imperative to John denotes her sacrificial act of abiding
by the demands of the court showcasing her strength of character. A
contrast can be drawn to John’s detainment in Act 4 when he proclaims ‘I
have three children - how may I teach them to walk like men in the
The Crucible - Arthur Miller 2
The Crucible - Arthur Miller
Q. ‘Elizabeth Proctor is more admirable than her husband’ Do you agree?
INTRODUCTION
The Salem witch trials took place between February 1692 and May 1693
with more than 200 being accused
The play is an allegory for the period of McCarthyism in 1950s America in
which extensive attempts were made to root out communist sympathisers,
with a special committee known as the HUAC being set up to investigate
allegations
FOR 1: From the first interactions of both characters, the audience gleans that
Elizabeth is more admirable
Authorial interruption immediately indicates to the audience that John can
not be considered wholly admirable ‘He [John Proctor] is a sinner, not
only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own
vision of decent conduct’ which informs the audience’s consideration of
John’s character as the play progresses
This preconceived notion is strengthened in John’s first interaction with
Abigail in which it is clear his feelings for her which culminated in his
adulterous actions are still present ‘(Looking at Abigail now, the
faintest suggestion of a knowing smile on his face) What’s this
mischief here?’ - stage directions convey repressed feelings, tense,
charged atmosphere created by flirtatious question
This is in contrast to Elizabeth’s refusal to pass judgement on her
husband in spite of his disloyalty; ‘I do not judge you. The magistrate
sits in your heart that judges you’ - metaphor, denotes that 1.
Elizabeth does not express her ill-feelings towards her husband as a
result of the affair and 2. John cannot forgive himself for his actions as his
actions were so grossly immoral CONTEXT: It is likely that Elizabeth
attempts to maintain her relationship with John and the marriage as due
The Crucible - Arthur Miller 1
, to her position as a Puritan woman, she likely believed that marriage is
rooted in love and salvation, and represented both a relationship between
the husband and wife, as well as God
FOR 2: Elizabeth is consistent in her character and her commitment to honesty,
whereas John’s sense of integrity is questioned throughout the play
Elizabeth remains true to her principles and does not lie when Hale
questions her on the validity of the accusations ‘I cannot think the Devil
may own a woman’s soul… If you think that I am one, then I say
there are none’ - assertive language and assured tone, chiasmus
combine to highlight Elizabeth’s strength of character CONTEXT:
Elizabeth’s rejection of authority is significant here as she subverts the
conventions of a Puritan woman who were expected to be submissive
and humble at all times
This commitment to honesty continues to Act 3 in which she is evasive
when questioned on her husband’s integrity as she is committed to
husband ‘‘(not knowing what to say) She - dissatisfied me (Pause)
And my husband… He is never drunk as some are, nor’ wasting
time at the shovelboard’… ‘Did he indeed turn from you… (faintly)
No, sir’’ - in spite of lie audience recognises from stuttering dialogue that
no blame can be placed on Elizabeth for her lie as it is evident she
means to protect her husband therefore strengthening her admirability
This is in contrast to John’s rejection of his principles when he rebukes
his decision to admit the affair to Elizabeth ‘But I wilted, and, like a
Christian, I confessed. Confessed!’ - simile and repetition provokes the
sense that John regrets his decision to be honest with his wife as he
rejects his beliefs on honesty as a Christian, calling into question both his
commitment to his religion and the moral significance this carries as well
as his sense of integrity
FOR 3: Elizabeth is more admirable as her parental responsibility towards both
her own children and towards Mary Warren is more significant than that of John’s
Upon arrest Elizabeth’s first concern is her children ‘(She is fighting her
weeping) When the children wake, speak nothing of witchcraft it will
frighten them’ - imperative to John denotes her sacrificial act of abiding
by the demands of the court showcasing her strength of character. A
contrast can be drawn to John’s detainment in Act 4 when he proclaims ‘I
have three children - how may I teach them to walk like men in the
The Crucible - Arthur Miller 2
