In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the motivations of characters are strongly based on their moral values and personal challenges. To gain a clearer insight into these characters and their motivations for their actions, you can simply use Kohlberg’s stages of moral development as a lens for analysis, as I am. Regardless of whether it’s driven by personal gain, the desire for social acceptance, or core values, it aligns closely. Each character’s moral reasoning aligns closely with Kohlberg’s pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional stages of morality. As I examine characters such as Abigail Williams, Mary Warren, and John Proctor through these stages, i have gained insight into their decisions and the social conflicts that drive the tragic impact of the Salem witch trials.
Kohlberg’s pre-conventional stage is characterized by personal gain and the importance on avoiding consequences. In The Crucible, this stage is shown when characters react out of fear to protect themselves. Betty, daughter of Reverend Parris, shows this narcissistic action when she cries, “Will you wake?” to Parris, showing how desperate and frantic she is as she tries to avoid blame or punishment. Abigail Williams illustrates this stage too, when she’s confronted with the threat of punishment for her involvement in witchcraft, she quickly throws the blame onto others, saying, “She made me do it!” to protect herself. This act of diversion highlights a deeper survival instinct that drives her actions during the play. Abigail’s willingness to sacrifice others for her own safety reveals a lack of empathy, showing how, at the pre-conventional level, fear and self-preservation dominate any sense of shared accountability. Furthermore, Abigail’s manipulation escalates or grows as she recognizes the power she can control by keeping this ethical viewpoint. Her accusations increase, as when she accused Elizabeth Proctor, saying that it was “your wife’s familiar spirit [that] pushed it in.” Abigail’s ongoing lies and false accusations not only protect her but also allow her to act on her personal feud against Elizabeth. Abigail manipulates others’ perceptions as she tries to maintain her safety and remove an obstacle in her own life, displaying Kohlberg’s notion that morality like this is deeply self-centered and driven by personal situations. These behaviors show a lack of genuine moral reasoning and a strong desire to avoid facing the repercussions, indicating that characters like Abigail and Betty as shown in the movie and read in the novel, act on their emotional needs rather than any sense of justice. This behavior further emphasizes Kohlberg’s concept that individuals at the pre-conventional stage prioritize their own survival and safety above any bigger ethical principles.
At the conventional stage, characters’ actions are guided by a desire to meet societal expectations and pursue validation and approval. This is evident in Mary Warren, who, even though initially reluctant and resistant to Abigail’s schemes, later gives in to peer pressure, saying, “I’ll never hurt you more,” to show commitment to her peers. Mary’s desire to belong and to be accepted by her friends showcases the struggle to align her beliefs with the feelings of fear and loneliness. Her choice to leave behind her principles and support the group reveals how the need to fit in can take precedence over someone’s values for people at a conventional level. Abigail also aligns with conventional morality when she publicly “opens up,” saying, “I want the light of God!” Her confession is not driven by genuine remorse but rather by a need for social approval, aiming to portray herself as righteous to keep her influence in Salem. By putting herself as a moral authority, Abigail manipulates societal norms for her own benefits, making sure that she remains untouchable within the community’s hierarchy. Her actions show how, at the conventional stage, the desire for power and acceptance often overrides genuine morality. Even John Proctor’s claim, “I am not a saint, I am not a saint,” reflects an ethical dilemma; he wants to keep his reputation as a man who embraces his flaws without resorting to hypocrisy. As Proctor’s aware of his own flaws, it shows his struggle between truth and preserving a good reputation for himself, which is usually a common conflict in being conventional. He wishes and hopes to be thought of as truthful but also must navigate through the societal standards that drive him to keep and show an idealized self-image. All of these characters demonstrate Kohlberg’s conventional morality, acting in ways that preserve or enhance social status instead of genuinely expressing their true moral beliefs.
The post-conventional stage of morality reflects a commitment to universal ethical principles, often in resistance to societal norms. John Proctor shows this stage as he faces ethical decline in Salem, not giving up his principles just to save himself. When Proctor states, “If you say I am one, I say there are none,” he challenges the court’s moral authority, as he tries to prove that true integrity does not conform to laws. This highlights Proctor’s refusal to accept the court’s flawed system and his recognition that true morality is unrestricted by corrupt societal rules. Later, Proctor admits, “I have known her,” Here, Proctor chooses honesty and responsibility, even though it ruins his reputation. His decision to confess his sins publicly, regardless of the consequences, underlines the strength of his character and his commitment to moral clarity over reputation! His statement, “The Devil is precise,” underlines his dislike for lies in the justice system, as he sarcastically points out the insincerity of Salems system. This was Proctors’ way of comparing the court to the Devil. Proctor’s growth to a higher level of morality shows that he values his own beliefs and truth more than his safety or what society thinks. Instead of following what others expect, Proctor chooses to do what he feels is right, even if it causes him trouble. Through Proctor, Miller shows Kohlberg’s highest level, where moral choices come from personal beliefs.
In The Crucible, the characters’ actions and motivations can be better understood through Kohlberg’s stages of moral development. From the selfishness of pre-conventional morality, through the harmony of conventional morality, to the integrity of post-conventional morality, the progression mirrors the moral journeys of Betty, Abigail, Mary, and John Proctor and more characters throughout this story. Through these stages, Arthur Miller reveals the intricacies of human behavior, revealing how fear, obedience and morality influence actions during crisis. By reading and writing about these morals, I am aware of how The Crucible is a powerful way of showing morals and truths.
