Examples Of Puritanism In The Crucible

The Mask of Puritanism Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is a controversial play that platforms the atrocities and betrayals surrounding the Salem witch trials. While the infamous Salem witch trials are being relayed to the audience, the overarching shroud of Puritanism partakes a defining role in the progression of the play. Early in the play, the decisions and demeanors of the characters are determined by the strict principles of Puritanism, but as the play advances the flaws in Puritan society are realized by all characters. The truly virtuous characters eventually see the flaws in their previous selves and strive to redeem themselves in one way or another. On the other hand, the true villainous characters exhibit a failure to comprehend the

Reverend Parris stems from this dark path mainly due to his profound insecurity with his leadership role in the community. In Parris’ eyes, he is constantly under the constant judgement of God and more importantly the people of Salem both of whom could deem him unfit to be a Reverend, so he displays many instances of urgency in all instances of displaying superiority, “In meeting, he felt insulted if someone rose to shut the door without first asking his permission” (Miller 3). For Parris, any outlet power over others reassured himself that he was qualified for his position, so when the trials emerged and his societal peers continued to dwindle, even more feelings of entitlement fell upon him because now no one could challenge his authority. Parris only benefitted from the destruction that the trials brought onto the town and sought to continue it even if it meant lying to the court, “I can only say, sir, that I never found any of them naked” (Miller 105). Instead of revealing the corrupted nature of the girls and possibly putting an end to the senseless killings, Parris decides to spare the girls in order to save his

This kept a constant pressure to uphold these ideals or be punished by God, but these standards required much restraint and went against human nature such as to show affection or lust. Thus was the root to many anxieties especially in the relationship between John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor. Elizabeth follows the Puritan standard for wives and is generally cold and unaffectionate, a trait which is exhibited in most of her interactions with John, “He gets up, goes to her, kisses her. She receives it. With a certain disappointment, he returns to the table” (Miller 50). Her coldness resulted in a desperate need for affection in John which prompted his affair with Abigail, a part of his life that John resents and constantly reminded of when he sees his wife. John committed the sin of adultery, and therefore, under a Puritan mindset, must be forever guilty of his crimes and he is reassured of his fault by Elizabeth who no longer trusts him and is even colder to him. Proctor’s guilt undermines his efforts to stop Abigail throughout the play because he is so ashamed of his adultery and cannot find a different way, other than the unreliable Mary Warren, to expose Abigail’s lies. Using Mary Warren to stop Abigail ultimately backfires and he is accused of witchcraft himself, it is then that Proctor has realized Puritanism has failed him and utters, “God is dead” (Miller 119).