How Does Arthur Miller Portray Women In The Crucible

In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, there are multiple very specific ways women are represented, some of which are demeaning. We are shown two different types of women. Miller describes Abigail as a “supporter” of adultery and claims that she becomes a whore. He writes Elizabeth as the classic boring housewife. Miller’s way of depicting these women can be seen as insensitive and demeaning; so much that it may seem to be done on purpose. Was Miller himself stereotypical towards women, or was he trying to expose stereotypes from the

17th century? Miller essentially takes the gender discrimination from 17th century

Salem and applies it to his own writing to construct his female characters.

In The Crucible, one way women are represented is in a mischievous

At the end of the play, Arthur Miller writes how, “Abigail turned up later as a prostitute in Boston,” (135). This rather unnecessary piece of detail further shows how Miller wrote Abigail’s character with the intentions of making her out to be a whore. He adds this to strengthen who Abigail is. Miller demeans Abigail in The Crucible with whore-like qualities very specific to women.

In The Crucible, another way women are represented is in an overly loyal and domestic way. Many times John Proctor refers to Elizabeth as being in the house or being responsible for their marriage issues. One time when John

Proctor is speaking to Elizabeth about the state of their marriage he says, “It’s winter in here yet,” (49). John Proctor is referring to both the state of their home and the state of their marriage. He puts the blame on her that their marriage is a cold and bleak one rather than evaluate what he could be doing wrong. Elizabeth exhibits a great deal of obedience —not necessarily a bad quality— towards

John Proctor. In court while being questioned she lies to defend John. Danforth says to her, “Is your husband a leecher?” (105) To this question