The Crucible- What Does Arthur Miller Suggest Are the Dangers Inherent in a Dualistic Universe free essay sample

Arthur Miller suggests several different dangers inherent in a dualistic view of the universe in his play, The Crucible. He firstly presents those that strongly follow Evangelical Christianity, and cannot admit their mistakes, but only blame others for their problems. In comparison, he then illustrates to the reader those that have a more realistic view of Christianity, realizing their sins, and standing up for what they believe is moral. By dividing the two conflicting aspects of the world, Miller demonstrates the many potential dangers in the village, which in the final stages come together to create one of the deadliest clashes for an untainted religion. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, 1692, Miller presents one of The Crucible’s complications, the dualistic ideology, as a conflicting problem amongst the people. The Puritan town, always remaining in the light of God, are very religious, attending church every day, reading only from the bible, and forbidding anything resembling a theatre or ‘vain enjoyment’. We will write a custom essay sample on The Crucible- What Does Arthur Miller Suggest Are the Dangers Inherent in a Dualistic Universe or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It may seem that there is nothing harmful about a religious community, though within Salem people are constantly judging one another on how religiously pure they are, which causes the initial tensions. So when some teenage girls get up to mischief, and bring the devil’s presence into the situation, people begin accusing each other of who they believe are not as pure as them. They even begin to accuse those they wish to get revenge upon, of siding with Satan, creating potential dangers in the town. Before long, Miller has divided Salem into two dualistic views: those who, as good Christians should, are more realistic about the presence of the devil in their community, and those who have been misled into believing Satan is ‘loose in Salem’, and who accuse their enemies of siding with the devil. Miller suggests that those who have a black and white view of the universe are the accusers in Salem, and are the cause for many of the dangers evident in this town. Thomas Putnam, who regards himself as an ‘intellectual superior, accuses others in spite of his faults, and puts their lives in danger. When the word of the devil is spoken, Putnam and his wife take the opportunity to accuse Rebecca Nurse for the deliberate deaths of seven of their babies. Of course, it can be seen that in 1692 it was quite common for women to have miscarriages, though they were led to believe the devil must have had something to do with it. This accusation puts Rebecca Nurse’s life in danger, as well as jeopardizing the respect she holds within the community. Miller foreshadows the danger Rebecca Nurse finds herself in through Mrs. Putman, when she says critically to Rebecca Nurse, ‘You think it’s God’s work you should never lose a child, nor grandchild either, and I bury all but one? ’ Goody Putnam’s words create the initial accusation against Rebecca Nurse that in the end, take her life. Likewise, Samuel Parris, the reverend in Salem, who is always putting in ‘his best efforts to win the people and God to his side’, is also misled into believing that the devil is loose in the village. A good example of this is when Mr. Parris sides with Abigail, his foolish niece, in believing that Betty has had a spell conjured on her by Tituba, one of the individualists in the town. He does this as a protection for his daughter, Betty Parris, and to avoid personal judgement. Due to his black and white view of the universe, he is misled into lying to withhold his safety, and in place, puts innocent Tituba’s life at risk. Both Putnam’s and Parris’s Evangelical view of the universe cause them to wrongly accuse other people, putting innocent villagers’ lives at risk. Miller suggests that those who refuse to uphold a dualistic view of the universe and speak their mind in Salem put themselves in danger. Reverend Hale is the only superior in Salem that fights to defend the people wrongly accused of witchcraft. Not siding with those that are accusing others, he puts his job and, therefore, his authority in danger. Miller demonstrates the danger Hale puts himself in when he begins to not only doubt Danforth’s judgement but also ignore his orders when he says, ‘I am a minister of the Lord, and I dare not take a life without there be proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it’. By refusing to sign any more death warrants for Danforth, Hale puts the importance of his position at stake, and loses much of his power in the courtroom. Just as Hale refuses to contain speaking his mind, John Proctor, a farmer in his thirties, denies conjuring witchcraft. John, being innocent, cannot imagine living life with his dignity erased, making the tough decision to be separated from his family. One who, like Proctor, refuses to confess to witch craft is the frail nurturer of Salem, Rebecca Nurse, who is faithful to her conscience, even after being accused of intentionally killing seven of the Putnams’ children. As goody Proctor says to Hale, ‘you will never believe, I hope, that Rebecca trafficked with the devil’. This shows how the town views her as a kind of a saint, yet due to the corruption of others, she is accused of siding with the devil, her life in jeopardy. Both Hale, Proctor, and Rebecca Nurse’s inability to uphold a dualistic ideology puts them in grave danger from those who continue to believe the devil is roaming Salem. When living in a dualistic universe many dangers are inherent for those fighting for what they believe in. Through characters and events Miller conveys these dangers, and demonstrates what can happen when you speak your mind. Putnam, Parris, Hale, Proctor, and Rebecca Nurse all stubbornly stuck to their beliefs, and put others lives and their own in danger.