The Crucible was written by Arthur Miller. This play is in the genre of historical fiction. The Crucible was set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1690. The year 1690 was the beginning of the Salem witch trials. I believe that this play is essentially about courage, weakness, and truth.
I think that John Proctor showed the most courage throughout the entire play. Mainly when Proctor spoke up against Reverend Parris when no one else would. That’s not all, he confessed to the affair with Abigail Williams to save his own wife’s life. Proctor states “I like it not that Mr. Parris should lay his hand on my baby. I see no light of god in that man. I’ll not conceal it.”
As for weakness, I believe that both John and Elizabeth Proctor show a lot of weakness in the play. The woman that John had the affair with despises Elizabeth for being John’s wife. Elizabeth believes that it was her fault that John had the affair, because she couldn’t please him enough. Proctor is a courageous man but he is still weak for having the affair with Abigail. “I came to think he fancied her. And so, one night I lost my wits, I think, and put her out on the highroad,” said Elizabeth.
I believe that there is not a lot of truth in The Crucible. But the one man that has a lot of it is Deputy Governor Danforth. All he wants to hear is the truth. But when people like Abigail Williams show up that lie about every little detail. It’s difficult to find the truth. There are so many lies for him to dig through he can rarely find the truth. Danforth “Are you certain in your conscience, Mister. That your evidence is the truth?” Proctor” It is. And you will surely know it.”
In conclusion, there was a lot of courage shown in The Crucible mainly by John Proctor, but also by Giles Corey. John and Elizabeth also showed a lot of weakness also during the affair, John’s Execution. Deputy Governor Danforth tried to find the truth in every situation even if it was extremely difficult. But overall this play was essentially about courage, weakness, and truth.
