Moral Development In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

Moral development focuses on the change and understanding of morality, which are principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong behaviour. A person with strong moral beliefs has developed overtime what they learn to value. Nevertheless, one who is morally weak does not have the strength to resist morally wrong ethics. As evident in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 affect the moral development of the characters, which ultimately affects their beliefs, relationships, and virtues. Reverend Hale, a committed minister, grows righteously strong in The Crucible by modifying his beliefs about the witch trials to become remorseful, whereas Mary Warren, a servant to the Proctor household, declines in moral stature

because she is easily influenced by malicious characters.
Reverend Hale questions his faith about the validity of witchcraft as well as his knowledge regarding the trials, which leads him to strengthen his integrity and righteous qualities.

After realizing that judge Danforth is in control of the proceedings, Hale, who was once confident, is convinced that John Proctor is innocent: “I may shut my conscience to it no more -- private vengeance is working through this testimony! From the beginning [Proctor] has struck me true. By my oath to Heaven, I believe him now” (Miller 105). Reverend Hale’s acknowledgement of Abigail Williams, a selfish and vindictive orphan, and the girls’ potential fraud reveals his sense of integrity and pursuit of justice. Hale refuses to be apart of a corrupt system that determines a humans’ individuality, which portrays his firm moral stature. After Hale leaves his position in the court, he returns to Salem “to counsel Christians [as] they should belie themselves. There [was] blood on [Hale’s] head!” (121). As Hale advises the upright community to confess witchcraft in order to save themselves, he reveals his selflessness personality. Hale realizes that his culpability for the deaths of innocent citizens makes him self-aware of his wrongdoings. By disavowing Abigail, Reverend Hale evolves into a morally powerful character by developing a strong sense of integrity and

mercy.
In contrast to Reverend Hale’s development, Mary Warren is easily influenced by her peers and environment, feeling captive by Abigail due to her violent threats and acting accordingly to Abigail.

When Danforth asks Mary during a trial to faint like she did before, she explains “[i]t [was] only sport in the beginning, but then the whole world cried spirits, spirits, and I promise you, Mr Danforth, I only thought I saw them but I did not” (Miller 100). Describing the state of mass hysteria that Salem is experiencing illustrates how Mary can be caught up in the commotion. Emotionally, the feelings Mary is experiencing are real, however, logically the perception is more than false, which explains how much power the witch trials have. Additionally, Mary Warren is enthralled by Abigail Williams’s chaotic actions during a trial, and Mary declares that Proctor is “the Devil’s man!...Abby, I’ll never hurt you more!” (110). Mary’s opinion on the charges change due to Abigail’s hysterical accusations and peer pressure, now defending Abigail against John Proctor. Mary does this despite knowing that Abigail is a liar, revealing to the reader how gullible Mary is when she is around those who intimidate her. Mary’s incapabilities lead her to be easily influenced by her surroundings, ultimately contributing to her decline in virtuous

status.
Due to the untrustworthy community of Salem, Reverend Hale and Mary William evolve into two contradictory characters due to their changed beliefs on the witch trials. The word “crucible” is defined as a container of metal employed for heating substances at high temperatures. In The Crucible, the container is Salem, while the substances are the people, and the temperature are the accusations; the accusations of the Salem Witch Trials refine the characteristics of Hale. Simultaneously, the allegations damage and destroy the ethics of Mary Warren. The Salem witch trials strongly affected the morality of two characters in opposing ways, which generate conflicts in relationships and beliefs.