The purpose of this essay is to discuss the play, The Crucible. Specifically, what will be discussed is characters in The Crucible that behave in a conforming manner. This behavior can best be described and understood by using Kollberg’s moral precepts for explanation. In particular, Kollberg has three distinct descriptions of perspectives that were taken by individuals that motivate them to behave in certain ways. These three categories are pre-conventional behavior, conventional behavior, and post conventional behavior. All three categories are factors that we consider when individuals decide to act in any given situation. If we understand the consideration and the action, we will be able to achieve a better understanding of the character.

There are many characters in The Crucible that act in a way that can be best described as pre-conventional. Pre-conventional behavior is when a character acts in a certain way to avoid punishment and gain reward. Tituba is a pre-conventional character. In the court, Abigail Williams told Tituba she would “whip [her] to [her] death” if she did not confess. Tituba proves to be a pre-conventional character because, after being threatened, she does in fact confess. By confessing, Tituba avoids being assaulted by Abigail Williams. The next character who behaves in a way to avoid punishment and obtain a reward is John Proctor. When discussing with his wife Elizabeth Proctor whether he should confess to lechery or not, he said, “I’ll think on it.” This is because if John Proctor confessed, he would be hanged, and by not confessing, he is avoiding this. The final character is Abigail Williams. She acquired a plan to imprison Elizabeth by explaining that she “felt a sharp pain” in her stomach while sitting in court. By getting Elizabeth Proctor killed, this entails to Abigail Williams that she maybe have a chance to rekindle her love for John Proctor. Moreover, by tarnishing Elizabeth Proctor’s name, any further comments Elizabeth may have on Abigail will not hold value. Therefore, Abigail would likely not be held accountable for lechery on Elizabeth’s word. As seen from the examples provided, The Crucible has many characters that act in a way to obtain reward and avoid punishment.

There are many characters in The Crucible that are conventional. Conventional behavior is when you behave in a certain way to fit into a group. Mary Warren is a conventional character. Mary Warren attempts to confess at the court, but Abigail Williams influences her to retract it. She reassures Abigail that she will not go against her in the court by telling her, “I’ll never hurt you more.” This shows Mary Warren is ridden with fear of Abby and wants to conform with the group of girls. She fails to stand up for herself because she is easily manipulated by the group of girls. The next character who illustrates a desire to conform to a group is Elizabeth Proctor. Elizabeth’s character traits embody perfectly the societal expectations of the women in her town. Her character’s integrity is evident in that she “never lied,” reflecting her strong moral principles and religious upbringing. She is committed to living by the standards set in her community, which ensures her acceptance by the people in her town. The final character to be discussed is Anne Putnam. Anne Putnam adheres to the idea of Rebecca Nurse being a witch because Anne’s babies “shriveled in her hands.” She believes that Rebecca is to blame for the death of her seven babies because in believing so, it fits in with the ideals of the town and takes the blame off herself for the death of her children. In conclusion, it is evident that many characters in The Crucible act in a way to fit in and obtain group acceptance.

The Crucible shows many post-conventional characters. Post-conventional behaviour refers to acting based on your set of values and ethical beliefs. These values and ethics remain unaffected by external rewards, punishments, or the desire for group approval. Let’s begin by examining John Proctor as an example of a post-conventional character. John Proctor confesses to lechery with Abigail, when he explains in court that he has “known her.” When confessing, he was already aware of the consequences awaiting him, but by speaking the truth, it’s what he felt was right, so he was content. His confession was not affected by other factors such as punishment and reward but solely based on what he felt was right. Next, Giles Corey acts in a way that is in alignment with his personal beliefs. When questioned about witchcraft, Giles Corey continues to stay silent and adhere to his beliefs. Even enduring intense pain instead of confessing, he says, “more weight.” This shows his commitment to his own beliefs even in the face of death. Moreover, the last character to be discussed is Elizabeth Proctor. When being accused of being a witch, she believes, “if [she] is [a witch], there are none.” Elizabeth’s reputation for truthfulness and genuine persona is well-known in the town, making her a reliable figure. By accusing her of being a witch, it must mean there are no real witches. Even though sharing thoughts that are different from the towns, such as the fact that witches may not be real, is a dangerous choice, Elizabeth chooses to stand up for herself.

In conclusion, The Crucible presents numerous characters who are prepared to sacrifice their lives for their beliefs and principles.In conclusion, Kohlberg’s moral precepts provide valuable insights into understanding the characters in The Crucible. They demonstrate how individuals react when confronted with challenging situations. Kohlberg’s three stages of moral development include pre-conventional behaviour, where actions are motivated by the desire to gain rewards and avoid punishment; conventional behaviour, where individuals act to conform to societal norms; and post-conventional behaviour, which involves a commitment to one’s values and ethics. These stages help explain why the characters behave in unexpected ways, often contrary to what is traditionally expected