Vices In The Crucible

In the play: The Crucible Miller reveals the effect of the Salem Witch Trials on the people due to their growing fear. Miller shows that fear exasperates man’s innate vices of self-preservation, greed, and hypocrisy. In The Crucible Miller demonstrates these vices through Danforth, a prestigious judge that should represent the peak of human morality and reason.

Miller uses the Salem Witch Trials to foster a desire for self-preservation, and Danforth demonstrates that all members of society are affected by this desire. Miller introduces Danforth as: “Deputy Governor Danforth… a grave man in his sixties… with an exact loyalty to his position and his cause” (CITATION). Danforth represents the strong, puritan judge resolute in his belief in reason

and a fair trial. However, due to the volatile nature of the situation, Danforth begins to act for his own self-preservation. By focusing on his own self-preservation, Danforth neglects his duty as a Deputy Judge in a Puritan society by not focusing on maintaining a fair trial. Proctor’s revelation about the children lying demonstrates Danforth’s decision to protect himself over maintain his duties. Danforth worries more about the effect of the case on his reputation rather than the facts brought forth by Proctor: “the entire contention of the state in these trials is that the voice of Heaven is speaking through the children” (CITATION). Danforth’s statement shows a distancing of himself from the case. Rather than stating that he relies on the testimony of the children he says “the state” relies on the children’s testament.

Thus, Danforth exhibits man’s natural instinct for self-preservation as he sought first to protect his own reputation rather than investigating the charge. As such, Miller uses Danforth to demonstrate even those who represent justice: the seemingly incorruptible can succumb to their fear and desire for self-preservation. According to psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, Danforth bases his actions on conventional morality. Kohlberg states: “Authority is internalized but not questioned” (CITATION). Danforth’s morality and level of thought represents the thought process of many of the Puritans. However, this type of attitude endangers society as Danforth is now very hesitant to admit an error as the law cannot make a mistake. Since Danforth represents the law if the credibility of the law is tarnished then Danforth’s own reputation suffers. Thus, Danforth’s attempt to prevent the court from making a mistake denotes an act of self-preservation. In Stacy Schiff’s article Tituba demonstrates that all mankind becomes motivated by self-preservation when threatened. The article relates Tituba’s confession: “The devil came to me… and bid me serve him” (CITATION). Thus, rather than simply denying the

accusation Tituba embraces it and enhances the story for her own benefit. Schiff states that Tituba: “implicated her two fellow suspects” (Citation). As a result of Tituba’s falsehoods: “the jury declined to indict her” (CITATION). Thus, Schiff’s article shows that fear motivates all members of society to regress to self-preservation instead of honesty and justice. As such, Miller uses Danforth to demonstrate that man’s fear of destruction and loss of power motivates acts of self-preservation.
Miller utilizes Danforth to demonstrate that Greed effects all mankind. Firstly, Miller utilizes Danforth to demonstrate that even the justices are susceptible to the vice. Danforth demonstrates his greed through his interactions with the court. Danforth desires power and thus tries to maintain power through the court: “But you understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between” (Citation). Thus, Danforth maintains a narrow view and interprets the court as the source of power in the society. Furthermore, when Danforth says: “with this court” he is actually referring to himself. Thus, Danforth sees an action against the court as an action against himself. Consequently, Danforth attempts to gain power over others by using the court: “I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and an ocean of salt tears could not melt the resolution of the statues” (CITATION). Danforth threatens to use the law against Proctor in order to gain power over him. Thus, Danforth desires to attain more power by using the law. As such, it is apparent that Danforth’s greed compels his actions. Thus, Miller uses Danforth to demonstrate that all of humanity can yield to greed. According to Kohlberg the society in the play are: “Stage 4 of Level 2”. In other words, Danforth relies on others: “obeying the rules of society in order to uphold the law and avoid guilt” (CITATION). Thus, Danforth relies on others desire to maintain the social order so that he can achieve his greed for power. In his article: “Why I Wrote the Crucible” Miller says that play deals with: “political manipulation” (CITATION). Thus, the Crucible deals with political manipulation for the attainment of power over others.