The Important Characters in the Play "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller

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The Crucible
Written in 1953, the Crucible is a famous play by Arthur Miller, an American playwright. The story revolves around the Salem witch trials. For anyone who is unaware of the Salem witch trials, they took place in Salem, Massachusetts in the 17th century and involved the execution of a couple of females accused of witchcraft. The Crucible is sometimes viewed as the metaphor for McCarthyism, a series of interrogations done by Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s. The Crucible’s theme of reputation was important for Arthur Miller as he was one of those people who was questioned, teased and tortured during the interrogation. For quite a long time, Arthur had to face problems and was accused of contempt of the Congress. In those days, the United States government caught not only Arthur but also several other people for being communists. The House of Representatives’ Committee kept questioning him regarding Un-American Activities. In January 1953, the play was first performed at the Martin Beck Theater, featuring Madeleine Sherwood, Beatrice Straight, and E. G. Marshall. Initially, Miller thought that the production was quite cold and stylized and the reviews it received were hostile. Preserving or protecting one’s image and reputation was quite tough in those days. In Salem, both private and public moralities were considered the same. Some of the characters of the Crucible face tough times, and it becomes quite difficult for them to struggle for their survival and to maintain their reputation and integrity. In the rigid communities like Salem, it was easy to ruin the image of anyone, anytime, and this could result in strong physical or social punishment. Through the Crucible, Arthur Miller argued that people must be given respect and value as it is one of their fundamental rights. He tried to make the viewers understand that those who favor integrity by refusing to tell a lie or admitting mistakes were always given tough times. In Salem, it had become a trend, and it was quite difficult for the people to come forward and raise their voice.
Reverend Samuel Parris
The character of Reverend Samuel Parris has a lot to learn from. As the minister of Salem and a former Merchant, Reverend has always been obsessed with his self-esteem, reputation, and worth. He sometimes complains about the cruel behavior of the villagers, arguing that he does not receive enough for his work. As a result, he is criticized by a large number of people, and when the trails start, Samuel Parris gets appointed as a prosecutor and tries to help everyone. In the first act, while speaking to Tituba, Reverend Samuel Parris says “you will confess yourself, or I will take you out and whips you to your death” (Wickstrom & Miller 531). The Reverend Parris, along with the Putnam and the Reverend Hale, have found that Tituba is guilty of witchcraft, so they decide to twist her words until she admits her mistake of dealing with supernatural powers. At another point, Parris is found saying “No, God forbid. Mercy, run to the doctor! Tell him what’s happened here” (Wickstrom & Miller 541). This indicates his humbleness and his love for the religion. However, his lack of ...