The purpose of this essay is to discuss the play by Arthur Miller entitled The Crucible. In this piece of literature, many characters behave in ways that may cause the reader confusion. However, if one uses Kohlberg’s moral perceptions, one can achieve a better understanding of why the characters in this play behave as they do. Kohlberg’s moral perceptions represent a type of explanation for the motivations for the characters to behave as they do throughout the play. The three levels of behavior to be discussed are pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. All three of these concepts will be discussed in some detail in this essay.
Firstly, there are many characters who are pre-conventional in the Crucible. Preconventional morality is the first stage of moral development when good or bad, right or wrong labels are interpreted in terms of physical power and fear. Tituba is a pre-conventional character. An example of Tituba being pre-conventional is when terrified and vulnerable, she surrenders herself when Parris threatens her, saying “You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba!” (Miller 44). A typical Salem villager is quick to blame a slave, someone regarded as inferior in society, and Tituba’s primary motivation is to save her own life after being accused of witchcraft. When Tituba confesses to submitting to the Devil, she attempts to clear her name, blaming Abigal and the other girls by claiming that they work with Satan to reduce her own punishments. Here, Tituba acts out of instinct and fear. The second example is of a pre-conventional character is Abigail. When Elizabeth realizes that Abigail is plotting against her, she tells John Proctor that “She thinks to take my place, John” (Miller 58). Abigail is willing to go as far as murdering Elizabeth Proctor, in order to take Elizabeth’s place as the wife of John Proctor. Her moral decisions are shaped by reward and punishment therefore an action that leads to a reward is deemed desirable. John Proctor is an example of a reward in which Abbigail would do whatever it takes to have. Marry Warren is also a character whose morals are determined by fear and power. Abigail becomes a powerful character throughout the play and when she says, “I cannot charge Abigail on murder” (Miller 80) the quote indicates that fears testifying against Abigail because Abigail and the others will turn against her. Mary Warren is manipulated by Abigail as a tool to incriminate Elizabeth. Although Mary is friends with Abigail Williams, she is very obeying to Abby, and does almost anything she says out of fear.
Secondly, there are examples within the literature that illustrate conventional characters. Conventional morality is the second stage of moral development and is characterized by an acceptance of social rules concerning right and wrong. Maintaining expectations of others is valued regardless of consequence. When Mary Warren says “Abby ill never hurt you more” she is being conventional. The quotation clearly displays how malleable Mary Warren is, as she has fully revoked her confession, while knowing Abigail is lying. Marry loves god and knows she is sinning by taking Abigail’s side, but she could not handle the heat, so she goes back to join the girls. Moreover, it demonstrates her lack of independence and desire for approval from others. Danforth is another conventional figure, when he states, “You must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it” (Miller 99). This phrase encapsulates the authorities’ attitude toward the witch trials. Danforth is a respectable man in his own right, but he, like everyone else in Salem, views the world in black and white, believing that there is only one possible judgment to be made about a situation. Danforth tries to fit in with society, law, and the church regardless of what is seen as morally right or wrong. He believes everything and everyone belongs to either God or the Devil. Since the court is with God, anyone who disagrees is believed to be with the Devil. The Putnam family is another group of people whose values are established by their adherence to society standards regardless of the consequences. “There are wheels within wheels in this village, and fires within fires!” (Miller 28). Out of vengeance and anger Putnam accuses Rebecca, an individual who has what she has always wanted of for the supernatural murder of Putnam’s babies. A number of Mrs. Putnam’s babies have died; therefore society has a negative view on her. The Putnams seeks for a scapegoat, a responsibility/ explanation for the death of their children so that the village people will have a positive view on them.
Finally, there are post-conventional characters in The Crucible. Post-conventional individuals are people who have reached a personal definition of their moral values, principles that are valid and applicable apart from authority. In the play, Elizabeth Proctor is a post-conventional character because she lies about John and Abbigail’s affair in the hopes of saving John’s life when she says ”No, sir” (Miller 113). This quote demonstrates that Elizabeth refuses to bring shame upon her family doing what she believes is right. Elizabeth deceives Danforth, thereby damning herself and her husband. As her husband John would also rather be executed than ruin his reputation and integrity in himself. Hale is another example of a character who later reaches his personal definition of moral values about the court when he says “There is a prodigious fear of this court in the country” (Miller 102). Although Hale’s initial goal was to seek out the witchcraft, we see him change later in the play as he now realizes the problem is with the court. He is convinced that John Proctor and Mary Warren are speaking the truth, not Abbigail. Hale points out that people are afraid of the court and that is the reason they are confessing. He also goes on to say how rumors and allegations have turned the community upside down. Similarly, John Proctor also has his personal definition of moral values where reward, punishment, fear and group acceptance is nonexistent. Towards the end of the play, John Proctor utters “Because it is my name!” which truly demonstrates his willingness to prove to the court his worth and innocence. John dies because he believes it is morally wrong to confess to a crime he hasn’t committed. It shows that he could not bear the thought of other innocent people dying while he quaked at death’s door and left. Essentially, it illustrates his obsession with his reputation. John Proctor’s desire to protect his good name prevents him from testifying against Abigail. However, now, he has come to value the understanding of a good reputation means and the importance of telling the truth rather than lying to save himself.
It is clear from the discussion that has taken place that characters in the crucible are understood more clearly. That is, insight has been gained into their reasoning for the decisions they have made throughout the play by making reference to Kohlberg’s moral perceptions, pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional actions are displayed by many characters throughout the play. This makes the characters easier to understand and more familiar to the reader because we understand the reasoning behind the things they say and do. This paper has successfully shown the reader how to achieve a better understanding of the literature.
