The Crucible: Exemplification of Evil Within Humans

During the period of the 1950s, a lingering hysteria surrounded the colony of Salem concerning a potential hunt that could take place due to an eerie aura of witchcraft. This situation is embodied by Arthur Miller’s The Crucible in a parallel situation to the McCarthyism taking place in the real world due to the increasing spread of communism. Consequently, the people of the Salem village threw darts at each other, claiming that each other were committing witchcraft. Much of these allegations were due to a central role of evil in the novel, taking form as lust and desire. Evil exists as the desire for material possessions by Reverend Parris, the lust for power by Judge Danforth, and the lust for John Proctor by Abigail Williams. The yearning for each of these items caused a series of accusations and actions that proved to be an evil presence throughout the course of the novel.

Reverend Parris serves as the minister of Salem, and is also the father of Betty, and uncle of Abigail. Parris suffers from a personal paranoia concerning a greed for possessions that he is unable to let go of. During the opening scenes of the novel, the story introduces Parris as one who cares solely upon his own personal reputation when he says, “my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it (Miller The Crucible 10).” Rather than caring for what potentially happened to the girls, his intentions are blurred. He continues with this overpowering concern for his reputation when he says, “you cannot hang this sort. There is danger for me (Miller The Crucible 128).” Proving yet again his concern for himself to maintain power, he refuses to agree with others’ decisions in order to protect himself. Based on source B by Levin, evil relates to “promising to save your name over admitting to a crime.” This statement encompasses Parris’s intentions throughout the story, as he desires only to maintain and grow what he has, rather than anyone else who faces the hysteria head front. Source C by Miller builds on this accusation by stating that “the essential nature of humans” is absolute evil. It is in fact Parris’s essential nature which causes him to lust for his own gain, rather than for anyone else.

Deputy Governor Danforth oversees all of the witch trials that occur in Salem, as well as many other that occur in other parts of Massachusetts. From his description alone, it would seem that he is a fair minded individual, but this is quickly disproven. Instead, he is shown as a God-driven man, who refuses to believe in anything concerning witchcraft. This leads him to discover that people fear the court because he believes that God appointed him to his spot, and he will not let go of it. This shows his lust for power, as he reveals that he represents power, and rule in the Puritan society. Danforth represents his ignorance when he states that “I cannot pardon those when twelve are already hanged for the same crime (Miller The Crucible 129),” meaning he has realized his mistakes, but refuses to show his weakness. Source A by Marino states that Danforth’s heat does not burn away lies to get to the truth. The moral issue of power versus character embodies this quotation as Danforth is not willing to relieve his actions in order to make the correct judgement. Source E by Bigsy states that Miller was interested in the “source of authority” while writing this book. The source of authority that Miller parallels is absolute power versus proper judgement, and represents Danforth’s paradox of power throughout the novel.

Abigail Williams, despite being a female, and former lover of the protagonist, represents the core of evil and malice throughout the novel because of her lust of John Proctor. Because of her previous experience with Proctor, she is unable to forget their relationship despite Proctor attempting to do the same. Abigail represents the polar opposite of Puritanism, as she is willing to manipulate people for her lust, and desire for power. Her lust manifests itself when she falsely accuses Tituba that “she sends her spirit on me in church; she makes me laugh at prayer (Miller The Crucible 44).” Scapegoating Tituba was a product of her lust for John Proctor by trying to kill his wife by drinking blood. Source B by Levin states that whores and witches are synonymous. Witches serve as the main source of evil throughout the novel, so there is a direct correlation between Abigail and evil in that sense. Source A juxtaposes Abigail as the dark power of the play when she states that she wants “the light of God (Miller The Crucible 48).” By admitting her attachment to John Proctor, she conducts all crimes in the name of lust. By serving as the main antagonist throughout the story, she took the role as the root cause of evil.

In The Crucible, Arthur Miller explores the dark motives behind the witch hunts taking place during the period of hysteria. The parallel between McCarthyism and the witch hunt hysteria brings forth the idea that certain characteristics and themes exemplify the evil within humans, resulting in chaos. The lust for power, possessions, and John Proctor, by Reverend Parris, Judge Danforth, and Abigail Williams respectively all serve to show the stem of evil within the Salem community. Desire results in the allegation of others, and the continuation of hysteria, bringing forth the evil within a person.