Cultural Relativism In The Crucible

Is a person’s beliefs and morality predetermined and rigidly adhered to by the culture they exist within, or are these fluid elements that can be shaped by one’s own being? Arthur Miller’s fictional adaptation of the Salem witch trials of 1692, The Crucible, highlights the theory of cultural relativity. Cultural relativism is the theory that customs, beliefs, and morality are constructed in relation to the culture from which they are derived. Miller explores both the pertinacity and adaptability of cultural relativity using characterisation, specifically through the development of the text’s protagonist, John Proctor, and antagonist, Abigail Williams. Miller utilises The Crucible’s omnipresent relevance to represent the significant role culture

Proctor exemplifies an ordinary second class Puritan of Miller’s adaptation of the bloodthirsty town of Salem, Massachusetts. Miller fabricates the character of Proctor to appear wholesome and scrupulous, however, acts of sacrilege in the form of adultery tarnish the character’s reputation, thus bringing to light the scepticism of an exclusively Puritan society. Proctor embodies the qualities revered by the Puritans; diligence, integrity, and frugality. Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth Proctor, is an advocate of John’s morality, describing her husband as “a good and righteous man. He is never as drunk as some are, nor wastin’ his time at the shovelboard but always at his work” pg. 100. Miller skilfully constructs a well-rounded character epitomising the ideal Puritanical figure, however, man’s tendency to be fallible resulted in a fatal flaw in the character of John Proctor. This flaw, also being a sin, is his lust and infidelity. Miller demonstrates the influence of cultural relativism through Proctor’s incapacity to absolve his own sins, despite his wife’s forgiveness, “I do not judge you. The magistrate that lives in your heart judges you.” pg. 55. This ‘magistrate’ is denoted by Miller to symbolise Proctor’s conscious, which was moulded and cultivated by the Puritans of Salem. The

A maniacal pariah masquerading as “a good (and) proper girl” pg. 45, Williams’ fraudulent accusations act as the catalyst for the apprehensive dread deftly filtering through the tight knit community of Salem. Miller often emphasises Williams’ gender, age and size, drawing attention to the juxtaposition of her petite image against her violent words and actions. Miller instils this concept through the names given to Williams by the other characters, as she is repeatedly referred to as ‘child’ or ‘girl’, thus belittling her stature. However, Miller’s thoughtful utilisation of characterisation, allowed the character of Abigail Williams to possess a flair of malice, consequently creating depth in the character. This is evident in Williams’ domineering behaviour to her peers, to which she callously and carelessly threatens, “let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a point reckoning that will shudder you. And you know I can do it.” pg. 26. Miller’s development of the character ‘Abigail Williams’ efficaciously highlights the distinct undercurrents of the Puritan culture The Crucible is based on. Puritans’ core beliefs are reliant on the complete submission of personal desires to fulfil God’s will, in which case, Williams’ characteristics and