Crucible  Author Miller 

This essay’s goal is to talk about the play The Crucible. We will talk specifically about the characters in The Crucible that act suspiciously. The only way to explain and comprehend this behaviour is to apply Kolberg’s moral precepts. Kolberg specifically offers three different explanations of the viewpoints people adopt that influence how they behave. Pre-conventional behaviour, conventional behaviour, and post-conventional behaviour are these three types. People take into account all three categories when determining how to behave in a certain circumstance. If we understand the consideration and action, we will be able to better understand the character. 

There are characters in the Crucible the behave in a certain way to best describe them as pre conventional. Pre conventional is when you behave is a certain was to obtain reward and ovoid punishment. The first example of a pre conventional character is Tituba. Here, Tituba’s slave master has put the pressure on her to confess by telling her that he “will take [her] out and whip [her] to death” if she does not. There are beliefs here as seen that Tituba is in relation with the devil and now must lie to avoid punishment. The next character to behave in a way that places them into pre conventional is john proctor. John has committed letctury with Abigail Williams and is now considering confession. He states that “[he’ll] think on it” as he is trying to avoid a lifetime of punishment from God and or death from the court. The final character to display pre conventional acts is Goody Osborn. While on trial, all hell breaks loose between the girls, and Goody Osborn screams at the judges that “[She] saw Sarah good with the devil.” Throwing Sarah under the bust while also trying to relay all the attention to her to be exempt from the accusations of witchcraft and being in contact with the devil. You can see from the examples provided that the crucible has many characters that behave in a way to avoid punishment and obtain reward. 

There are many characters found in the Crucible that are conventional. Conventional behaviour is when you behave in a certain way to fit into a group and achieve group acceptance. Firstly, the character Danforth shows conventional actions when he states that “A person is either with this court or he must be counted against it there is no in between!” Danforth is explaining to the audience that you can either join in with the system or against it which defines conventional. The next character to behave in a conventional way is Revern Parris. He says that “they will howl me out of Salem for such corruption in my house!” Mr. Parris is the minister of Salem and while having authority over majority of people, he still feels that the community will turn on him if he stays in relation with suspicious activity. The final character to act in a certain way to achieve group acceptance is Reverend Hale. Hale emphasizes that “Theology” “is a fortress; no crack in a fortress may be accounted small.” Hale refers to the conventional belief in the authority of religious precepts and the importance of upholding theological principles, even in the face of doubt. As you can see from the examples provided that the crucible had many characters that behave in a certain way to fit into society and achieve acceptance.  

Characters like Giles Corey, Reverend Hale, and John Proctor show post-conventional behavior. Post-conventional characters behave in a way that adheres to their set morals and values regardless of punishment, reward, or group acceptance. The first character that shows post conventional characteristics is Giles Corey. Whilst getting stoned to death, he taunts the court be saying “more weight” Gile is stating his refusal to capitulate to the authority of the court and his commitment to his principles, even at the cost of his life. The second person to Adhere to post-conventional attributes is Reverend Hale. After seeing the devastating consequences of the witch trials, including the wrongful convictions and executions of innocent people Hale says out of anger “there is blood on [his] head, can you not see the blood on [his] head.” The final act of post-conventional ways is from john proctor when he says, “[he] has given [them] [his] soul; leave [him] [his] name” Proctor’s insistence on preserving his name, his reputation, and his integrity, even in the face of death, displays a post-conventional moral stance. Therefore all these characters show how the follow their morals and values regardless of punishment, reward, or group acceptance. 

In conclusion, it is evident that Kohlberg’s moral precepts have been a valued tool in allowing the reader to achieve a better understanding of characteristics in the crucible. It has also demonstrated why individuals behave the way they do when faced with certain situations. When taking into consideration, pre-conventional behavior makes characters act in a way to obtain reward and avoid punishment. Conventional behaviour makes characters act in a way to receive acceptance from a group and post-conventional makes characters stick to their values regardless of punishment, reward.