The purpose of this essay is to discuss the play, “The Crucible”. In particular what will be discussed is the character in the Crucible that behaves in a conforming matter. This behavior can best be described and understood by using Kohlberg’s moral precepts for explanation. Specifically, Kohlberg has three distinct descriptions of perspectives that we taken by individuals that motivate them to behave in certain ways. These three categories are pre-conventional behavior, Conventional behavior, and post-conventional behavior. All three categories are factors that we consider when individuals decide to act in any given situation. If we understand the consideration and action, we will be able to achieve a better understanding for the character. To better understand characters found in “The Crucible” and their motivation of their actions, one only has to refer to Kohlberg’s moral precepts for explanation and understanding.
There are characters in “The Crucible” that believe in a certain way to describe them as pre-conventional. When you behave in a certain way to obtain reward and avoid punishment. The first example of a pre-conventional character is Tituba. She shows being pre-conventional when she and Abigail get caught in the woods dancing and getting it all blamed on her. She was told if she said all the names to the people involved, she would remain herself. When John Procter confronted her, he said “I will take you out and whip you to your death if you do not confess.” Tituba confessed which makes her a pre-conversational character because she confessed to avoid death. The next character to be discussed that behaves in a way to avoid punishment is Abigail. She was caught in the woods dancing with Tituba and others she blamed it all on Tituba but when she got confronted, she said “No one was naked you mistake yourself uncle.” With these words she lies to her uncle and says no one was naked to avoid being punished for what she was doing. The final character to be discussed is John Procter well talking to Abigail, she asks him a question then says, “I’ll think on it” this shows John Procter being a pre-conventional because he is being indecisive about his response because he does not want to say the wrong thing that could get him in trouble and cause punishment.
There are many Conventional characters found in the Crucible. Conventional characters behave in a way that shows they want group acceptance. They want to fit into a particular group. The first character that shows herself to be conventional is Mary Warren. When the court is proceeding Mary is testifying against Abigail and claims, “I’ll never hunt [Abigail] more” and revokes her testament. This is because Mary knows Abigail is the most powerful person in Salem and she is scared of her Mary is in direct conflict with Abigail and does not know if she will win against. Mary shows to be a conventional character because she has completely revoked her statement well, she knows that Abigail is lying to make sure the group of girls remain in harmony. Mary reflects her fear of retaliation and willingness and conform to fit in. Another character to be discussed for being a conventional character is Hathorne. While Hathtrone is talking to Danforth about the characters he wants to be arrested he says “I think they must both be arrested in contempt sir” he is speaking what he thinks is right and what he thinks Danforth wants to hear so he can fit in with him and the others that want them to be arrested. Which makes him conventional because he wants to say the same things that others want to so he can be accepted. The final character example is Eziekiel Cheerver. Eziekiel behaves in a way that shows he wants to fit into a group. When Eziekiel is going to get the accused Elizabeth Procter from her home, he tells his friend John Procter “must do as I’m told”. Eziekiel is a conventional character because he is willing to take his friend’s wife to jail Eziekiel does not fit in with the court or others around him. So, by taking Elizabeth he is hoping to fit in.
There are many post-conventional characters in “The Crucible” as well. Post conventional behavior is when you have your own individual sense of values and ethics. These values and ethics cannot be influenced by reward, punishment, or group acceptance. The first post conventional character to discuss is Giles Corey. When Giles is getting stones put on him to kill him when he says “more weight” this shows Giles Corey being post-conventional because he has his own sense of values, and he does not want to give answers to Danforth so instead he tells them to put more weight which means more stones. So Giles Corey would rather die and know his own values and ethics than trying to be accepted by a group or fit into one. The next character to be disused that has an individual sense of values and beliefs is Elizabeth Procter. At the end of “The Crucible”, Elizabeth watches her husband be taken to the gallows and finds herself content because her husband has retained her honor. Her love for him makes her happy he is able to keep something so important to him “he has the goodness now” this shows Elizabeth being post-conventional because even though no one liked John Procter and everyone was mad at him. Elizabeth still loved him and said he was good she knew her own values and beliefs when she said this. And finally, the last character to be discussed is John Hale. John Hale is talking to Elizabeth Procter about her husband being hung he says this to Elizabeth, “Goody Procter, your husband is marked to hang this morning” this shows John Hale being a pre-conventional character because he has it set that John Procter is going to hang in the morning and he is not changing his mind about not hanging him. John Proctor is firm in his beliefs.
In conclusion, it is evident that Kohlberg’s moral precepts have been a valuable tool allowing the reader to achieve a better understanding of characters in “The Crucible”. It has also demonstrated hey individuals behave the way they do when faced with certain situations. Kohlberg’s three precepts, pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional behaviors all aid in the understanding of the characters. Pre-conventional characters behave in a way to obtain reward and punishment. Conventional is behavior that is done in an effort to fit in or be accepted by a group, Post-conventional behavior directly contracts the other two precepts, as they behave in a way that they reflect on their own values regardless of being accepted by a group ore regardless of punishment and reward. Overall Kohlberg’s moral precepts help readers get a better understanding of characters in “The Crucible”.
