The Crucible

The Title, The Crucible, gives the reader an insight or deep understanding of a person or thing, into what this story will be about. Crucible, a place of severe test or trail, is exactly what faces Elizabeth, Hale, And John during this book. The character of Elizabeth is Johns wife. She will face the evil Abigail who will falsely accuses her of witchery and test her ability to forgive her husband. John Proctor is the husband who's wrongdoings started an epidemic of false accusations. Reverend Hale is like the lead investigator trying to find the witches of Salem.

Elizabeth is a gentle, hopeful, optimistic woman who has based her life on honesty. It hurt her to skin a rabbit for dinner (page 1052). She remained optimistic even after learning of the “arrow” Abigail had in John (page 1060). Although she believes in all of these things she still finds herself to be the unworthy cause (1106). She calls herself “plain,” and “poorly made.” She refers to her “cold house,” as herself being a cold person. She had always thought of John as a good man but a little “bewildered” (1056). She blamed herself for John’s actions instead of putting the blame fully on him, and even told a lie to spare her husband even thought it didn't work. Elizabeths insight into John is questioned throughout the book. In the beginning she doesn’t trust him as much because the affair happened not to long ago and it could happen again. This proves she has not forgiven him yet. On page 1055 Elizabeth asks John if he was, “alone” with Abigail. She questions whether he could have another affair. In the end her insight on John was right that he was a good man, and he is worthy to be forgiven. He did the right thing in the end. Telling the truth spared John’s name and character even though it cost him his life on earth. She says on 1112, the final words of the play, “he have his goodness now.” Even though his life was taken he died the “good man,” she had always believed him to be.

Reverend Hale, is smart on the subject on witchcraft. On page 1042 he comes through the doors, “loaded with heavy books,” probably about witchcraft. Hale was asked to come to Salem to diagnose the situation of Betty Parris. The town must have sought him out, because he has a good reputation with witchcraft. Hale believes there is witchcraft in Salem and is determined to find it no matter what (page 1043). He believes there is witchery and pursues this, but as the story goes on he starts to think it is all a hoax in this situation. On page 1094 Mary Warren says John is a witch and says he comes with the devils book to sign my name