Sahana. Sangha The Crucible Play essay
This paper aims to explore the behaviors and motivations of characters in The Crucible play through the eyes of Kollbergs theory of moral development. Explanations of the characters actions have led up to huge consequences there for allowing the three moral concepts to be explored, being pre-conventional, conventional and post conventional. Each of these characters in each topic, will be introduced in detail.
In The Crucible, Abigail Williams is a complex character who is selfish, manipulative, and she has a desire for being in charge.
“Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you”.
Abigail is a character whose actions are stable by receiving personal gain and avoids punishment. This statement shows the consequences and self- interest.
Reverend Parris is a key pre- conventional character in this play. He’s always self-interested, paranoid, and desperate to make himself look good to others.
“You cannot hang this sort! There is danger for me. I dare not step outside at night!”
Because Reverend Parris is self- preserving and avoids personal consequences, he is rooted in the pre- conventional stage of moral development.
Another character in the play who reflects a self- interested, pre- conventional character is Thomas Putnam.
“Thomas Putnam is reaching out for land!”
This quote simply shows the selfishness and personal gain Putnam craves. The desires of acquiring more land and moral righteousness for his community based on his personal benefit of looking “good” to the people who know him.
As for conventional characters, John Proctor is an evolving character and slowly turns into a conventional character towards the end of The Crucible. He realizes the importance of integrity and social responsibility over his own interest in himself.
“Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! I will noy have such a lie on my name!”
This quote refers to not following the laws and having the desires to maintain personal decency and honor in the eyes of other people.
Elizabeth Proctor had also experienced similar events as John Proctor. She experiences the lines of moral growth and proceeds to grow into the conventional stage relating to the end of the play.
“He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!”
Elizabeth’s decision in this moment shows the reflection of herself to moral precepts of conventional morality like loyalty, duty, and respect for social norms. By the end of the play Elizabeth begins to understand the importance of personal integrity and growth towards moral choices.
Rebecca nurse, a character in this play, shows forms of growth of strong morality and commitment even when she was personally suffering. The reasoning of being a conventional character is her principles of responsibility, integrity, and respect for social orders.
“Let us not quarrel over the name of God! The truth is all we want!”
Rebecca’s statement refers to her deep commitment to the truth and honesty. She started valuing honesty, righteousness over her own survival and social positions she was put into.
John Proctors character is a huge significance of development in The Crucible play, mainly towards the end when he made moral decisions off ethical reasons, such as justice and personal goodness. He did this instead of referring to social norms or fear.
“I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”
Towards the end of the play Proctors decision was motivating by post- conventional behavior. At this point of time, people made decisions based on morals ethically. John Proctor’s refusal to sign a false confession represents a commitment of personal integrity over others and moral truth over survival.
Giles Corey is a post-conventional character by his actions taken in The Crucible. Although he wasn’t one of the main characters in the ending much, his refusal of false accusations showed his commitment and truth, at the cost of his own life.
“More weight.”
This quote implies his commitment to post- conventional behavior and was said while he was on the edge of death. Towards the end of the play, he chose to prioritize principles like personal integrity, truth, and justice. The way he responded to the courts attempts at forcing him to give up his name while being in torture, shows his morals and refusal to break ones promise.
The last post-conventional character out of many, is Rebecca Nurse. Rebecca focuses on adherence to moral principles. Her way of taking action, reflects a deeper understanding to post- conventional reasons.
“I have lived a good life. I have done my duty to the community. I cannot do this.”
This statement reflects conventional moral lenses. When she refuses to confess to a lie or makes false accusations towards other people, it enhances her commitment to the truth, integrity and justice because of expectations and demands of the court system.
In conclusion The Crucible play expresses how fear and panic can lead up to severe consequences. Throughout these events of characters, harm was caused by false accusations and lies as well as the importance of standing up for what’s right. This play did not just investigate the dark areas of the characters’ lives, but it makes people think carefully to stay true to their own values, especially while there is a heavy weight on you to look like a better person than what your actions make you look like.
