Purification

Purification - Polly, Michael, Mikey and Graham


Purification - "to free someone of guilt or moral impurity or imperfection"
- "to free something from undesirable elements"

A crucible is a container in which metals and other materials are heated so as to seperate the pure metals from waste and impurities. The crucible in the title is a metaphor for the town of Salem and the period of the witch-hunt hysteria. In this "fire", some victims survive the temptations and fears and emerge as better and stronger people.

The town of Salem is being purified of witchcraft but eventually the town is purified when Abigail Williams leaves the town

Some of the main characters in The Crucible reflect the theme of Purification:

Abigail Williams
When Abigail flees the town of Salem, the town itself is purified of the manipulative girl who's influence and power over the community caused the chaos and also the deaths of so many innocent people.
She, the only real "witch" in Salem, pollutes the town with her poisonous allegations. When she flees, the witch trials cease and the town in therefore freed.

Reverend Hale
Hale always wants to have pure intentions. At the start he wants to rid the town of witchcraft. "No, no. Now let me instruct you. We cannot look to superstition in this." (P31) We see he feels really powerful when he first comes into the town as he thinks he will save them.
We then see he is fighting with his conscience as he appears much less powerful. "He is different now - drawn a little, and there is a quality of deference, even of guilt, about his manner now." This is in the stage directions after he has been to court. He sees that the town is out of control and maybe here sees it is the girls causing the hysteria. He knows he has started it all and feels guilty - It was him who suggested the yellow bird, which Abigail used against Mary Warren later.
When John Proctor is accused by Mary Warren, Hale desperately tries to fix the situation. "Excellency, thois child's gone wild!" (P95) which shows his complete doubt of the court. It causes him to storm out. "I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court. (He slams the door to the outside behind him)" (P96) So he is purified as he is no longer part of the chaos that is the witch hunt.

Elizabeth Proctor
Elizabeth, and her relationship with John, are purified at the end of the play, when, just before his death, Elizabeth forgives John for his affair with Abigail. "John, it come to naught that I should forgive you, if you'll not forgive yourself. It is not my soul, John, it is yours. Only be sure of this, for I know it now: whatever you will do, it is a good man does it. I have read my heart this three months John. I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery." (P109) This is her telling John that he is forgiven, and she has realised that he is a good man. This quote shows that she has been thinking about their situation for a long time and now she has said what she wants to say, she is purified.

John Proctor
Throughout the play John Proctor is riddled with guilt for breaking the commandment "Thou Shalt Not commit Adultery". John committed adultery with his ex-servant girl Abigail Williams behind his wife's, Elizabeth, back. Even when Abigail tries to get back with John, he is strong enough to resist temptation and stay true to his wife. He is set free of this guilt when his wife Elizabeth is arrested and he then becomes the reluctant hero in striving to expose the fraud of witchcraft.