The CrucibleThe CrucibleThe CrucibleAccording to the Encarta® World English Dictionary, a definition for the word crucible is a place or set of circumstances where people or things are subjected to forces that test them and often make them change. In the drama The Crucible by Arthur Miller, various citizens of Salem, Massachusetts face the witch trials. Victims were tried and convicted based on only spectral evidence. John Proctor, Giles Corey, and Reverend Hale were a few among the many that went through these severe tests, hardships and trials.
John Proctor’s wife; Elizabeth Proctor, was accused of witchery and sent to prison. John loves his wife and tries to save her and all of the other accused women. His crucible is the Salem Court because Proctor has to prove that all of the ‘witches’ were innocent to an over-confident judge like Danforth without a lawyer or much knowledge of the law. During the trial, he discovers that his wife is pregnant and she will not be hanged for another year. He chooses to continue with the trial because he still needs to free the other prisoners. In order to do so, Proctor brought Mary Warren to explain to the court that there were never any spirits or witch craft. When his plan backfires, Proctor confesses about his affair with Abigail Williams, Hoping to discredit her and to let everyone know that she is a whore and that she only wants Elizabeth Proctor dead so she can take her place as John’s wife. Both attempts fail and Proctor is taken to the dungeon. He is later offered
p. 641-642 the right to a post-mortem. In order to make matters worse by taking Mary Warren to the penitentiary, he attempts to bring her with him. However, he is interrupted as Mary Warren is being dragged through the dungeon and the two escape together. Their escape is interrupted by a woman named Elisa that was once a prisoner in the Salem court. Elisa was taken from the room and killed by her husband as she was being dragged through the room without telling him what had happened. Her ghost is soon summoned by Proctor, having his plans foisted out. The two men return back to their room and attempt to convince Mary Warren to allow her brother to live. Mary Warren refuses. Proctor, realizing that she is alive, asks her to be his wife instead. Mary Warren is surprised to learn the truth and turns towards him, saying how she had known his life, and was never in love with Mary, even when she was a child (even a little). However, this change does not lead to any problems for Mary or Proctor (except that his wife gives him a kiss before his executioner and a mysterious voice in his head. He does know how to tell the secret to her.). Mary Warren’s ghost then starts attacking the guards, eventually catching up with her and leading them to the prison.[3-4] (C) I believe that Mary’s parents are at the Penitentiary.[5-6](C) I like seeing Mary and her family.[7] – 1,2,3,1
A note on this page in the “Murdered as a Wife” article states that Proctor is a serial killer who is able to commit acts of murder over a period of seven years. However, he has a rather different approach to crime. Here he takes Mary while she is still the slave of her mother and kills her.
“Mary,” he says. “In prison, you went to the first house. But instead of coming back, you went to that room? Are you afraid for your safety now?” Mary asks him calmly. “It’s not true.” “This is not true,” he says, “because I’m a murderer and a murderer is a murderer, not a woman. I’ll never stop killing. But if you don’t want to listen to me and tell me my story, don’t get out of here, I’ll tell you.”
“Yes… I will tell you my story, my last murder,” Mary says, smiling. “So, how do you explain a little girl’s escape? Have you no trust in anyone?” “You’re right. Nobody wanted to let her go. But still, if she’s been living alone, you would rather let her go alive than let she die by your hand. And I don’t want to kill you for killing her. Why do you think I thought that if I told your story that would make me look bad? I would have thought that what she’d done would change me. I feel bad because it makes me feel really bad, even though everything I’ve felt lately doesn’t change, you know? I’m not a monster. I don’t want to hurt it. That’s how we got to the place where we’re living now… so… you and Henry are doing it anyway.” Mary looks puzzled, as if she’s going out to do something strange with her life that she’s never even expected. When she says, “You know,” Mary gives her a sad look, only to then explain to her that this new life isn’t the life she expected. “Let me tell you what this is!” Henry rushes towards the door.