In order to understand the reasoning for the abnormal behaviors of characters in Arthur Miller’s “the Crucible,” we can look at Kohlberg’s three moral precepts. We will be introduced to three terms: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional, which we will look further into later on. The characters in this play behave in ways that may seem strange at a first glance, but will make more sense when we understand the above terms.
There are many characters in “The Crucible” who demonstrate there actions as being pre-conventional. These characters behave in a particular way to either avoid a punishment or to receive a reward, with the ideas that good actions come with positive consequences, and bad actions come with negative consequences. Firstly, Tituba demonstrates pre-conventional ideas when she decides whether or not to confess to witchcraft. Reverend Parris tells Tituba that he will “whip [her] to [her] death” if she does not confess. Although she never really performed witchcraft, Tituba wants to do anything to avoid being whipped. She would rather confess to a crime that she did not commit rather than face the punishment, and this is exactly what she does. Similarly, Elizabeth Proctor is faced with a difficult decision and has to choose between telling the truth or facing punishment. Her husband tells Mr. Danforth that “[she] will never lie.” Elizabeth would always tell the truth, even if it means causing a negative relationship with her husband or destroying her life. Most of us would rather lie our way out of difficult situations, but Elizabeth will always tell the truth because she doesn’t want to be punished in her after life. She knows that lying is a sin, she will be forced to burn in hell, so she would rather suffer for a small amount of time on earth rather than for all of eternity. Unlike these two characters, Abigail behaves in a way to receive a reward. Betty realizes that Abby “drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor.” Abigail wants Goody Proctor dead because with her out of the picture, she will be able to get her most desired prize – John Proctor. All of these characters have showed behaviors that they based solely on the consequences. They either want to receive something that they desire, or want to avoid something displeasurable.
The play contains many examples of characters who act in a conventional way. These characters behave in a way in order to fit in with a particular group or with the society around them. Conventional behaviors are first illustrated when the girls begin to mimic Mary Warren. They would repeat, “Abby stop it,” and mimic anything that Mary said. At a first look this behavior doesn’t make sense, but they acted this way for conventional reasons. The girls want to fit in with those around them, especially with Abby. Their mimicking of Mary shows that they want to fit in with Abby, and that means pretending to be possessed by Mary Warren. Similarly, Tituba also wants to fit in with the girls around her. She was seen “swaying like a dumb beast over of the fire!” Tituba seemed to be acting strangely. This can be explained by the fact that she just wanted to fit in with the other girls. Especially as a slave from the Barbados, Tituba has a harder time fitting in with society, so taking the girls to the woods is her way of getting the girls to like her. Reverend Parris also demonstrates conventional behaviors. He has explained that he has “spent three long years” trying to “bend” the village to him. Many people in the community don’t share the same ideas as Mr. Parris, John Proctor being one of them. Although he can’t get everyone to like him, Reverend Parris fighting to be liked. He wants to fit in with the community. All of these characters have showed that they want to be accepted by certain groups, as demonstrated by their actions.
There are multiple examples in the play of characters demonstrating post-conventional behaviors. These characters behave in a particular way in order to demonstrate their values and beliefs. Their actions are not influenced by reward, punishment, or the need for group acceptance. Elizabeth Proctor first demonstrated post-conventional behaviors. When Goody Proctor was asked if her husband has committed let her, she responds with “no sir.” This was the first time ever that Elizabeth has lied, and it is a big deal. She knows that if she lies she will suffer for eternity in hell, yet she still lied. In order to save her husband, Elizabeth did was she believed was right. Giles Corey demonstrated the same ideas. Mr. Corey simply said “more weight.” Despite being tortured, Giles Corey never confesses. He knows that if he confesses he will not only die, but his home will be taken away. He sticks up for himself and his family and never confesses, giving his family his home. Finally, we see John Proctor do what is right. He explains that he is “not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang.” Mr. Proctor acts not for himself, but for those in his community. This is the first time John Proctor is seen acting selflessly, and it is very important for himself and everyone around him. These characters all show that sometimes they behave in ways to prove what they believe in, and act in ways for the benefit of others.
All of the behaviors of characters in the play have specific reasonings. The characters either want to gain a reward or avoid a punishment, they want to be accepted into a particular group, or they just act on what they believe is right. Although each character demonstrates actions that may seem odd, they all have legitimate reasons referring back to Kohlberg’s moral precepts.
