The Crucible Characters and Relationships

The Crucible Characters and Relationships

1. John Proctor

   • Realistic/ logical - wants to reject the system but aware of the consequences
   • Sceptical but prepared to acknowledge the bible's authority
     • 'I have wondered if there be witches'
     • Confusion - essential decency in conflict with the religious dogma that has been indoctrinated into their society
     • Heretical/ Unorthodox views and opinions
   • Wary so witholds anger, unlike Elizabeth
   • Equivocates when questioned
   • 'such a court' - hints of his true feelings are seen
   • Finally damns the whole system at the end of Act 3 - 'we will burn together!'
     • Has been building up to this outburst - courageous - non-conformist
   • Values his honour
     • Integrity
       • By the end, values personal integrity more than public reputation
       • 'My name' is a metaphor for his integrity
   • Allegorical of moral goodness, humanity, redemption
   • One flaw which proves to be fatal - affair with Abigail
   • He related to John Proctor, who, in spite of an imperfect character, was able to fight the madness around him.

2. Abigail Williams

   • Still in love with Proctor
   • Wants revenge on Elizabeth for throwing her out and so she can have John for herself
   • Unmarried orphan - low down in society
   • The trials empower her - previously she has been completely powerless
     • McCarthy
   • Has been sexualised due to her affair with Proctor (and dancing/ devil worship_ - no longer wants to be suppressed
   • Blames Proctor for giving her 'knowledge' - sexual experience - and then rejecting her
   • 'took me from my sleep... put knowledge in my heart'
   • Repression now coming out in grudges, paranoia, anger, continued lust
   • Disturbed
   • Represents repressed sexual/ material desires of the Puritans in Salem -

3. Elizabeth Proctor

   • Refuses to believe in witchcraft
     • Emphatic about this - 'I cannot believe'
     • More courage than Proctor at this point
       • Foreshadowing of her later courage?
   • A cold character, especially towards her husband, John Proctor
   • She 'cannot lie'
     • Except when it comes to protecting her husband - she lies about his affair with Abigail to try and save him - love over honesty
       • Ends up prevaricating under the pressue and eventually tells a complete lie
       • Also deceiving herself?
   • Thinks highly of herself - knows she is a good and well respected woman
   • Represents good Christian women who are victims of the distorted legalistic theocracy
     • Puritanical stereotype but becomes more 'human' as the play progesses - acknowledges her flaws
   • Not at peace with herself until she spends time alone in prison and realises how cold she has been towards Proctor - she finally manages to forgive him and let go of her anger

4. John and Abigail

   • Proctor is unable to forgive himself for the affair
     • Overwhelming feelings of guilt and regret

5. John and Elizabeth Proctor

   • Proctor willingly sacrifices his good name in order to protect his wife
   • Their relationship is cold and lacking in affection and passion
   • Elizabeth tells a lie for the first time to protect her husband
     • Despite the situation, they still deeply love each other
     • Hugely significant as she acts against her own nature to try and save her husband
   • Both seem to feel guilty
     • John for having an affair with Abigail when his wife was sick
     • Elizabeth for being cold and shutting her husband out - eventually comes to blame herself for his affair
       • 'It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery'
     • 'It come naught that I should forgive you, if you´ll not forgive yourself'