FREE ESSAY ON CRUCIBLE

CRUCIBLE

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 jail, and her name would be forever tarnished. If she did not confess
at all, 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.