Paper 1: Analysis of the Crucible

1371 Words6 Pages
Arizona State University | Paper 1: Analysis of The Crucible | POS 370: Law & Society | | Maria Valley | 7/16/2012 |

Abstract: this paper analyzes the Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692 as portrayed in the film “The Crucible” to explain the law process of that time in history in America. |

The Crucible, a film derived from Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible which is based on the actual events of the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692. The movie starts out with the minister walking into the woods and seeing a group of young girls dancing around a campfire which led him to believe it was witchcraft they were practicing. But the devastation of the events of the Salem witchcraft trials begins with a girl, Abigail Williams, who is seeking vengeance against the Proctors. The people of the community find out about the young girls practicing witchcraft, which scared the girls, because they risked being convicted and sentenced to death for using witchcraft. Abigail led the group of girls to accusing several people who supposedly were allied with the Devil, and the girls would see the accused in their dreams speaking with the Devil.
As defined from the Oxford Dictionary, crucible can be referred to as “a ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures” or as “a situation of severe trial, or in which different elements interact, leading to the creation of something new”. A severe trial, indeed. The community of Salem was a tight-knit community where the people believed that keeping their good reputations was considerably important in their lives. In the end, their good name and reputation meant more to them than to live with a bad name or reputation. In the end of the film, John Proctor pleads for his life, but convinces himself that it’s not worth living if he has to live with a bad name

More about Paper 1: Analysis of the Crucible

Open Document