This essay’s purpose is to analyze the characters in the Crucible using Kohlberg’s moral perception. We can see the deconstruct of the motivations behind the characters actions, we will examine their decisions, categorizing it as conventional, pre-conventional and post- conventional characters. 

There are many characters in the Crucible who are conventional. Conventional characters are those who behave in a certain way to achieve group acceptance. The first character that can be described as a conventional character is John proctor. When talking to his wife she tells him to go back to the Salem and he replies, “I’ll think on it.” Abby and Proctor have been having an affair and knowing that this scandal can ruin his reputation and “good” name he is fears being ostracized by the whole town, therefore he won’t risk going back to Salem. Moreover, other characters that are conventional are the girls, in the beginning of the play they go out to the woods with Tituba and Abby, when being asked what they were doing in the woods they answer “we danced” the girls knew that they would get in trouble and wouldn’t be invited to do anything with Abigail again if they said anything else, In the whole play Abby is an important figure to the girls they are drawn to Abby and want to fit in. Thirdly, Elizabeth Proctor is conventional, Elizabeth is a character that is described as a “good and virtuos woman” although Elizabeth knows about the affair between John and Abigail, she will not make a scandal because that will ruin her reputation. Elizabeth is a good Christian; therefore, she will stay on her husband’s side and will go with the society standards. In conclusion it is shown that there are many conventional characters in the Crucible. 

Secondly, there are individuals in the Crucible that are pre-conventional. Characters that behave in a way that allows them to avoid punishment and obtain a reward are pre-conventional. Tituba is pre-conventional. She is threatened to get whipped “no, no. don’t hang Tituba!” she is accused of witchcraft, despite being innocent she confesses of witchcraft to avoid this punishment and ends up pleading guilty. The next character that is pre-conventional is Mary Warren. John tells Mary Warren to confess that Abby is lying about Elizabeth doing witchcraft, but she is scared “[Abby] will kill [her] for saying that.” Mary Warren will not confess to avoid the punishment that could be done by Abigail. Another pre-conventional character is Abigail, she is a very complex character in the crucible. Abby accuses Elizabeth of being a witch and wanting to kill her “[Elizabeth wants [me] dead” Abigail wants to avoid the punishment after having a relationship with a married man, but she wants to get rid of Elizabeth to get John as a reward. Therefore, there are individuals in the crucible that are conventional. 

Lastly, there are post-conventional characters in the Crucible. Post-conventional characters are those who behave in a way that suggest they have internalized a set of values. These values are not influenced by punishment, rewards, or group acceptance. One post-conventional character is Giles Corey, although he is being cruelly tortured, he asks for “more weight “to be applied to his chest. He aspires for his children to inherit his lands; this demonstrates that he cares more about his family and values than the punishments he will receive. therefore, he doesn’t confess and dies. In addition, a next post-conventional character is John Proctor. After having his wife detained, he decides to step up despite being innocent of the charges, he decides to plead guilty. It is shown that he cares about his reputation and not about the punishment or rewards he can earn “[he has] given you [his] soul leave [him his] name” John doesn’t care about the punishment he is about to receive, he prioritizes his values. Thirdly Elizabeth is a post-conventional character. Elizabeth is Christian woman who will never lie “if you think that [she is] one, then [she says] there are none” she won’t lie about the existence of witches because she believes there are none, she will say and do want she thinks is right and doesn’t care about society’s opinions or punishments. For that reason, she is a post-conventional character. In conclusion it is evident that there are post-conventional characters. 

In conclusion the Crucible has complex characters that have difficult motivations, after categorizing these characters based on their actions it is simple to understand their decisions and behavior.