To truly understand characters found within the crucible. Their behaviour and their motivation for their behavior one can refer to Kohlberg’s moral perceptions for explanation. Throughout this essay, Kohlberg’s three moral perceptions will be discussed. These moral perceptions include pre-conventionality, conventionality, and post conventionality. A detailed discussion of these three perceptions will ensure a thorough understanding of the characters and how they behave. This essay will be taking the form of a detailed definition of each moral perception and as well as an in-depth analysis of three independent characters that are used as an illustration of these categories. 

To begin, there are many characters found within the crucible that exhibit pre-conventional behavior. This is where moral decisions are driven by self-interest or fear of punishment rather than any true sense of right or wrong. One clear example is Abigail Williams when she says, “Let either of you breathe a word…and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.” This quote shows Abigail threatening the other girls to keep silent about their actions in the forest. Her motivation is purely self-preservation—she fears punishment and will go to any length, even violence, to protect herself. Another example is when Reverend Parris says, “You will confess yourself or I will take you out and whip you to your death, Tituba!” This threat reveals Parris’s concern with his reputation and desire to avoid scandal more than seeking the truth. His pressure on Tituba shows how the fear of punishment drives characters to manipulate or coerce others to serve their own needs. Lastly, when Mary Warren says, “I cannot, they’ll turn on me—” in response to John Proctor’s insistence that she tell the truth in court, it shows how her fear of being punished or targeted by Abigail outweighs her sense of justice. Mary’s behavior is guided by the consequences she might suffer, not by what is morally right. These quotes reflect how pre-conventional morality shapes the actions of individuals in Salem, where survival instincts and fear override ethical reasoning. The hysteria in the town intensifies this behavior, as everyone becomes more focused on saving themselves than doing what is right.  

Additionally, several characters also display conventional behavior, where their decisions are based on conforming to the rules of society and seeking acceptance from authority figures. One clear example is when Reverend Hale says, “We cannot look to superstition in this. The Devil is precise; the marks of his presence are definite as stone.” Hale’s words show his belief in the legal and religious systems of Salem. He follows the structured process of the witch trials, trusting in authority and order rather than questioning the morality behind it. Another instance is Judge Danforth’s claim, “We live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. Now, by God’s grace, the shining sun is up, and them that fear not light will surely praise it.” Danforth is upholding the court’s authority and sees himself as a defender of order. His decisions are based on the need to preserve the court’s credibility, even when it means executing innocent people. Lastly, Elizabeth Proctor’s decision to lie in court, saying “No, sir”— when asked if her husband had committed adultery, shows her desire to protect her husband’s reputation and maintain her role as a dutiful wife, even though lying contradicts her moral principles. Her response reflects the pressure to conform to societal expectations, especially regarding marriage and honor. These quotes reveal how conventional behavior in Salem leads characters to follow rules and authority, even when those rules result in injustice. Rather than acting on personal moral beliefs, they prioritize societal approval and the preservation of order. 

Finally, post-conventional behavior shows up in characters who follow their own sense of justice instead of just obeying the law or looking for approval. A strong example of this is when John Proctor exclaims, “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies!” Here, Proctor decides he’d rather die than falsely confess to witchcraft. His choice is grounded in his personal moral code—he values his integrity more than his life. Another great example is when Giles Corey stands firm and refuses to name names, saying, “More weight,” even as he’s pressed to death with stones. Corey chooses silence—not out of fear or for personal gain, but to protect others from being accused. His resistance to the court’s demands shows a strong commitment to his own ethics and sense of justice, no matter the grave consequences. Lastly, Elizabeth Proctor demonstrates post-conventional thinking beautifully when she states, “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him,” referring to John’s choice to be hanged rather than confess. Even though she loves him deeply and could beg for his life, she respects his moral decision and lets him die with honor. These moments in The Test emphasize how post-conventional behavior often means sacrificing personal safety and needing societal approval to stay true to one’s conscience. While Salem is dominated by fear and conformity, these characters rise above it by adhering to their own understanding of right and wrong. 

To wrap it up, The Test illustrates how various characters make decisions based on three stages of moral thinking: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Some act out of fear or self-interest, others follow societal rules to fit in, and a few stand up for what they truly believe is right. By examining these behaviors, we get a clearer picture of why the characters act the way they do and how their morals influence the events in the play.