The purpose of this essay is to discuss the play, The Crucible. In particular, what will be discussed is the characters in The Crucible that behave in a confusing manner. This behavior can best be described and understood by using Kollberg’s moral precepts for explanation. Specifically, Kollberg has three distinct descriptions of perspectives that are 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 are considered 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 of the characters.

There are characters in The Crucible that behave in a certain way to best describe them as pre-conventional. Pre-conventional is when you behave in a certain way to obtain reward and avoid punishment. The first example of a pre-conventional character is Tituba. She demonstrates this when Parris says, “I will take you out and whip you to your death if you do not confess.” She is told that she can save herself if she confesses to witchcraft. She also knows that she’ll get punished in both cases, so she confesses to witchcraft. This makes Tituba a pre-conventional character because she confesses in order to avoid punishment. The next character to be discussed that behaves in a way to avoid punishment is Abigail Williams. Abigail accuses Elizabeth being a witch and shows this when Elizabeth says, “She wants me dead.” By saying that, Abigail wants to obtain John Proctor after having a relationship with him and get rid of his wife. It shows that Abigail is a pre-conventional character because she wants to avoid punishment. And the final character to be discussed is Mary Warren. She says, “Abby will kill me for saying that,” after John Proctor wants her to confess the truth about the affair between Abigail and Elizabeth. However, she is not confessing because she is scared if Abigail would punish her. She avoids punishment and it makes Mary Warren a pre-conventional character in The Crucible. So, we can see from the examples provided that The Crucible has many characters that behave in a way to avoid punishment and obtain reward. 

There are many characters found in The Crucible that are conventional. Conventional behavior is when you behave in a certain way to fit into a group. Mary Warren is a conventional character. Mary Warren testifies against Abigail during the court and then repeals her testament saying “Abby, I will never hurt you more.” In Mary’s mind, Abigail has a power, so she doesn’t want to be against her. Repealing the statement against Abigail shows that Mary Warren wants to fit in and this makes her a conventional character. The next character to be discussed is John Proctor. He behaves in a way that illustrates he doesn’t want to lose his reputation and place in their town. He does this by saying Abigail “I will cut off my hand before I will ever reach for you again.” He says this because Abigail wants to be his wife, but John wants to get rid of her and not lose his reputation. This incident and John’s intention to get rid of Abigail shows John Proctor is a conventional character. The final conventional character is Elizabeth. While her husband, John Proctor, struggles because of his affair with Abigail, Elizabeth says “The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you.” She indicates that John’s own sense to judge right and wrong is the most powerful and honesty is important for her. Elizabeth’s intention to not have an issue with John and let him decide by himself makes her a conventional character in The Crucible. One can see from the examples provided, The Crucible has many characters that show a desire to fit in.

There are post-conventional characters found in The Crucible. Post-conventional characters internalize a sense of right and wrong. They are confident in their value and beliefs regardless of punishment, reward, and group acceptance. The first post-conventional character to discuss is John Proctor. John confesses in the court their affair with Abigail by saying “I have known her.” He does it even though it goes against his reputation. Ignoring what people will say and doing what he believes makes John Proctor a post-conventional character. The next character that is confident in their sense of value and beliefs is Giles Corey. Even though he is pressed with stones and forced to confess to witchcraft, Giles says “More weight.” This confident and brave behavior while he is dying shows how committed he is to his own beliefs and values as a post-conventional character. And finally, the last character is Elizabeth Proctor. When she is asked in the court if her husband had an affair with Abigail, she says “No, sir.” She has never lied before because of her beliefs but she lied in the court to save her husband. For this reason, Elizabeth Proctor is a post-conventional character in The Crucible. It’s evident from the examples provided that many characters in The Crucible behave in a way that meets their sense of values and beliefs without concern for punishment, reward, and group acceptance.

In conclusion, this is evident that Kollberg’s moral precepts have helped readers of The Crucible to better understand the book and characters. It has also demonstrated why individuals behave in the way they do when faced with certain situations. Three precepts of Kollberg are pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Pre-conventional characters are who act in order to obtain a reward and avoid punishment. Conventional characters are who wants to fit in a group. And lastly, post-conventional characters have confidence for their own senses of right and wrong and never seek for a reward, or group acceptance. These three precepts explain readers why characters of The Crucible act in a certain way with a purpose and helps us to understand behaviours of characters.