Anna C  

English 12 

The Crucible  

The purpose of this essay is to create a better understanding of the characters in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. Many individuals in the play behave in a specific way that may confuse the reader. However, by using Kolberg’s moral percepts the reader has a better understanding of why certain characters act the way they do. This essay will explain three different categories of Kolberg’s moral precepts: Pre-Conventional, Conventional and Post Conventional. Ultimately, 8 different characters and their behaviors fall under one of the three Kolberg moral precepts.  

There are preconventional characters in The Crucible.  Preconventional characters behave in such a way that allows them to obtain reward and avoid punishment. Abigail is an example of a preconventional character. She is good at causing trouble and immature. However, many of her negative traits can be associated to her troubled past.  Where she demonstrates preconventional behaviors is when she dances in the forest. She fears she will be blamed for dancing, so she blames Tituba. Instead of taking the blame herself, she puts it on Tituba by telling Reverend Hale, “She comes to me while I sleep; she’s always making me dream corruptions”.  Another example of a preconventional character is John Proctor. John Proctor is a deceitful man who has an affair with Abigail. In order to not be blamed for his affair, he lies to keep his high status in the village. He is so concerned about what people think of him and his wife, that he forces himself (and Abigail) to believe he did not have an affair, “But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby”. The final preconventional character explored in The Crucible is Betty. Betty is Reverend Parris’ daughter and is also caught with the other girls dancing in the forest. In order to avoid the punishment, she fakes being sick and in a coma. Abigail is aware that Betty is faking this, and even says “Now stop this! Betty! Sit up now!”. Obtaining reward and avoiding punishment allows these characters to commit to the lies they are telling themselves and the world in order to be seen as a good people. This is the definition of a preconventional character.  

There are Conventional characters found in The Crucible. Conventional behavior consists of an individual behaving in a specific way to receive approval or acceptance from a group. An example of a conventional character is Elizabeth Proctor. Elizabeth is married to John Proctor and turns a blind eye to many things. She wants to be seen as pure and tries to say that she is not deceitful, John backs her up by saying “There are them that cannot sing, and them that cannot weep—my wife cannot lie.”. Elizabeth wants desperately to fit in society by being a good wife and a good woman, and part of this is having an honest personality. She lies and makes people believe that she is holier than she seems. Another character is Mercy Lewis. Mercy Lewis is friends with Abigail and supports her through the court proceedings. She is a conventional character because she lies about seeing spirits and witchcraft, and she does this to fit in. Being very close to Abigail, she would do anything to keep that friendship, she lies in court when she goes along with Abigail lying about seeing a bird in court, “It’s on the beam! Behind the rafter!”. Her determination to lie is because she wants to be accepted by Abigail, and the others. The third example of a conventional character is Reverend Hale. Reverend Hale wants to be seen as a trusted reverend, who is skilled at witch-hunting. His quest to be known for this leads him to lie about being able to recognise witchcraft. He supports other Reverends and when John Proctor question Reverend Parris, Reverend Hales responds, “The man’s ordained, therefore the light of God is in him”. He takes the role of a Reverend seriously and wants others to see this also.  

There are Post Conventional characters found in The Crucible. Post conventional characters behave in a way that reflects an internalized sense of right and wrong. Their moral values cannot be affected by reward, punishment, or group acceptance. There are three characters who display post conventional behaviors: Rebecca Nurse, John Proctor, and Reverend Hale. Rebecca Nurse is considered a morale woman and is respected by all in the community. When she is accused of witchcraft, does not force herself to confess. Instead, she says, ““Why, it is a lie, it is a lie; how may I damn myself?”. Her refusal to conform to what everyone else wants her to do shows her post conventional traits. John Proctor is considered post conventional because even though he has an affair he knows it was wrong and accepts responsibility. While he lies to protect himself and his wife, he does not continue to have an affair with Abigail. When speaking to Abigail, he says, “I will cut my hand before I touch you again”. Reverend Hale falls under both conventional and post conventional. In the first half of The Crucible, Reverend Hale does everything to be accepted by society. However, when he realizes the consequences of the trial, and how it will have lifelong impact on the people accused of witchcraft, he refuses to participate in the trials. In his determination to the right thing, Reverend Hale says, “I quit this court”.  All three characters go against societal norms and are not persuaded by punishment or reward.  

This paper discusses how the characters in The Crucible behave in a strange and confusing manner. Using the Kolberg theory, each character is examined through a pre-conventional, conventional and post conventional.  However, by taking each character and using direct quotes and deconstructing their behaviours, one can see why they act the way they do. Ultimately, this paper highlights how Kolberg’s theory can be used for deciphering individual behaviour and their moral compass.