The Crucible Themes/Main Ideas

Mob Mentality

The witch hunt is mainly fueled by mob hysteria and targets people with unorthodox and nonconformist opinions. When Tituba’s forced confession grabs Betty Parris’ attention, she joins Tituba in listing the names of people she suspects of practicing witchcraft.

Another example of mob hysteria occurs when Mary delivers evidence of the girls’ fraudulent activities. As Mary continues her testimony, Abigail feigns hysteria, thereby solidifying her case. She also falsely claims that she has to endure bodily chills whenever she looks at Mary. When Mary responds, the other girls mimic every word Mary utters in an instance of group hysteria.

Injustice

The Crucible problematizes the concept of justice; it suggests that justice is the prerogative of a few authority figures whose word is often unchallenged and taken as the law. Those with a different perspective than the ones authorized by the government or church are charged with heresy and siding with the Devil.

Reverend Parris accuses anyone who offers evidence against the girls. John Proctor publicly relates his dislike of Reverend Parris. His word deviates from the established norm and ideology. Since he has opposed the accepted views of the Bible, the judges find it easy to convict John and to absolve themselves of any wrongdoing.

Reverend Hale’s questioning of the fairness of the judge’s belief in the girls’ version of things exposes the judge’s rigid mentality and thinking.

Reputation

In The Crucible, Arthur Miller focuses on the witch hunt to illustrate that one’s actions can be driven by the intent to preserve one’s reputation. It also shows that unfounded suspicions and rumors can ruin a person’s public and private image.

The characters are driven to sin in order to preserve their reputation. John is more focused on preserving his private image and believes that by confessing to adultery—which will destroy his public image—he can prove his honesty, a trait he greatly values. To this end, he even rips apart his signed confession, thereby condemning himself to death. He prefers death to living with a tarnished reputation.