The Crucible Essay, Research Paper
Elizabeth Proctor
A crucible, as defined by the Merriam-Webester Concise Electronic
Dictionary, is ?the state or fact of being tested (as by suffering)?, which attests
to what Elizabeth Proctor is going through exactly. Elizabeth has quite a
crucible to struggle through. The infidelity of her husband is a major element
in her being. Her struggle includes staying true to both her husband and her
God. Another is the persecution by Abigail Warren, a former employee and
assistant. Elizabeth also has to suffer through the decision to reveal the
unfaithfulness of John or to remain strong in her love of him. All of this is too
much for Elizabeth and the burden is very heavy. Elizabeth?s husband, John,
is a religious man. He believes in God, but not the minister who preaches His
word. John?s actions, though, are not so religious and devoid of sin. Abby, a
young seductress, was able to gain his attention while Elizabeth was
bedridden. A fiery and passionate affair scared his relationship with his wife.
Elizabeth struggles with his infidelity. When Reverend Hale questions the
couple on the commandments, it is evident that there is still a void between
her and John. All commandments could be recited except for adultery. In the
puritan culture, adultery is a grievous sin, one punishable by death. She has to
live through each day knowing that John was unfaithful, and that he did not
fulfill the commitment of marriage. She feels hurt and betrayed, but what
Abby tries next is the most underhanded trick possible. Abigail was placed in
power due to her ?ability? to spot the devil in people. She could see those
who trafficked with the devil and who was in his book. This was an
opportunity to settle the score for her. Goody Proctor had discharged Abby
from her home, and now was Abby?s chance to get back at Elizabeth.. All
she needed was an opportunity. Following the idea of spirits leaving the body
of a host, she stabbed herself with a needle, and blamed it on Elizabeth?s
familiar spirit. Elizabeth had to fight the accusations and the suspicions about
her and her bad intentions. She was backed in a corner and there was
nowhere to go. If she confessed to being a witch, she would spend her days
in ja
she would be hanged for being a witch. It was trying not only on her, but on
her faith. Another factor, though, would impact her emotional problems. In an
attempt to prove that Abby was just condemning people out of vengeance,
John Proctor asked the court to allow Elizabeth to reveal the real reason that
Abby was discharged from their home. His favor was granted, with the
understanding that neither John nor Abby could face or gesture to Elizabeth.
She was asked why she discharged Abby, and then if she believed that there
was an affair between John and Abby. She denied an affair, and in that way
condemned John as a liar and as one trying to overthrow the court. He was
arrested and was indicted in the matter of trafficking with the devil.
Throughout the time that the Salem trials took place, John believed that they
were a farce. Now, with Elizabeth present, he was given a choice. He could
sign a confession and indict other people. He asked Elizabeth if she wanted
him to live, and she said yes. He made the decision to not confess, though,
and she had the choice of stopping him. She could if she wanted to, but she
made the decision to let John be at peace with God. She allowed him to
leave without confessing, and he was hanged. The Crucible was not just
about one town experiencing a trial that would forever change it. It was about
individual people experiencing events that would destroy lives, reputations,
and families. Elizabeth was one of those individuals who would go through the
hardest trials and tribulations. She had three crucibles to bear, each of equal
strength. Standing by her husband, who was unfaithful, was the first in the
chain. Being attacked by the girl that caused her husband to be unfaithful was
the second, and deciding to let her husband be at peace or to be with her
was the third. She was faced with three hard decisions that would change
everything that she knew. The Crucible used these characters to amplify the
inner lives of those caught up in a hunt for the unseen, and to show that there
was more than one conflict involved. Elizabeth showed strength through her
trials, and defined the meaning of crucible.
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The Crucible