The Crucible - Roles of Grudges/personal Rivalries

Discuss the role that grudges and personal rivalries play in the witch trials.

Millers play The Crucible, set in Puritan Salem in 1692, was written as a metaphor for McCarthyism in 1950; USA. Miller suggests that persecution can occur at any time or place, and that the real tragedy lies in people who lose their integrity under social pressure. Whilst many citizens of Salem lost their sense of decency, the underlying cause for this witch hunt was a result of personal rivalries and grudges.

The trials and hysteria in The Crucible occur against the backdrop of a deeply religious, superstitious and theocratic society. However many of the long feuds and rivalries are not based on religion. Salem residents take advantage of this situation to exact revenge on their enemies. Abigail Williams, the original source of the hysteria, has a grudge against Elizabeth Proctor. She was discharged from the Proctor's household for having an affair with Elizabeth's husband, John Proctor. Abigail is the villain of the play, she tells lies and manipulates her friends and the town. She also sent nineteen innocent people to death. Abigail's whores vengeance was driven by jealousy, sexual desire and lust for power. She chooses to act on her own self-interest and perpetuates the witch trials.

The Crucible explores the conflict between individuals and the community. Vengeance is the number factor for many accusations. Thomas Putnam is another proponent of the witch craft hysteria as he holds long standing grudges against others. The witch trials not only gave Thomas Putnam the opportunity to exact revenge, but also to profit economically from others executions. Miller as the narrator often interrupts the dialogue to give the audience an insight to the characters past, for example, Putnam's attempt to appoint his relative as minister of Salem, and subsequent failure to do so, add to his grieving with the people of Salem. Furthermore, Thomas Putnam prompts his daughter to cry witchery upon his neighbour, so that he could buy up the land and profit economically. Miller establishes that rivalry and grudges lead to accusations and conviction of innocent people. These grudge create tension which tears the community apart.

Certain individuals in Salem used the witch trial hysteria to make scape goats of others, and thereby strengthen their position within the community. Reverend Parris, an insecure and paranoid figure is an example. Parris strongly believes that the townsfolk hates him and is fearful that the community will discover that his niece and daughter were dancing in the woods. The townsfolk do not trust Parris and see him as a hypocrite who preaches hell and damnation. This disunity and mistrust of their leadership, makes an unstable society where people question the reliability of their faith. Thus rivalry and personal vendettas fuel the hysteria of the witch trials in Salem.

The personal rivalries and grudges held by the citizens of Salem leads to a breakdown in the society of this theocratic society. Miller illustrates that the ability of people to choose a position that suits their self interest and shift the blame to others, together with the perversion of the justice system, can result in anarchy and rebellion. Miller suggests that the conflict between good and evil is a timeless conflict and that it's important for individuals to have a strong moral centre and uphold their personal integrity.