Character Flaws

 

The Crucible is a 1953 play by American playwright Arthur Miller. It is a dramatized fictional story based around the Salem witch trials that took place in Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1692 to 93. In The Crucible the characters, John Proctor, Abigail Williams, Reverend Hale, Reverend Parris, Mary Warren, Judge Danforth, and Mr. Putnam each commit one of the seven deadly sins. Each character has its own weaknesses, therefore, making each and every one of them flawed.

Mary Warren is a weak, naive, and lonely girl and feels safe in numbers as she is not equipped with much to protect her in society. Mary Warren moves back and forth with the pack of girls and the Proctor family. She knew information about Abigail and the girls lying, however, chose to do nothing with it and isn’t strong enough to stand up for what is right. Mary, when tested for the truth, turns against Proctor and yells,” You’re the Devil’s man (Page 121 Line 8).” Mary Warren knew the girls were faking and could’ve easily confessed to the court to end the witch trials. Yet is far too weak and drawn to drama making her the most flawed.

Abigail William’s flaws, lust, vengeance, and jealousy lead greatly to her own downfall. The biggest flaw Abigail had was lust, as she lusted greatly for John Proctor. This caused her to seek vengeance towards John Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth, and stirred up great jealousy making Abigail go completely insane.” Gah! I’d almost forgot how strong you are, John Proctor! (page 22 line 8).” After her affair with John Proctor, she is still madly obsessed with him and cannot get over it. Abigail is the second most flawed character as she lusted over a married man who was at least double her age. 

 John Proctor’s tragic flaw is his excessive pride which is expressed abundantly throughout the play. Proctor’s flaws can be described as stubbornness, guilt, and pride and are the reason the witch trials in Salem took place for so long. John worried more about himself and keeping his name intact for his own selfish needs than helping put an end to the rampage. “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! (Page 145 Line 13).” John Proctor is both a hypocrite, sinner, and said everything other than the truth. He is the third most flawed character and would rather get killed to keep his good name than help others. 

Judge Danforth's flaws of stubbornness and quick-temper led him most responsible for the tragedy in Salem. He was an unfair judge and would rather refuse to accept the truth to avoid humiliation. Danforth abused his power and condemned many innocent people to death. “You must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between. This is a sharp time, now, a precise time – we live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. Now, by God’s grace, the shining sun is up, and them that fear not light will surely praise it, (Page 97 Line 10).” Danforth is the fourth most flawed character and lacked evidence with his reasoning and would rather just listen to whatever information was being fed to him. 

Reverend Parris is depicted as completely selfish and materialistic as well as not concerned with saving people’s lives or being the spiritual leader of Salem. In the first act, when Betty gets mysteriously sick Parris is more concerned with the negative reputation it would leave on him. “'We cannot leap to witchcraft. They will howl me out of Salem for such corruption in my house, (Page 15 Paragraph Line 5).” He isn’t worried about the truth, he would just rather protect his job and reputation. Parris is the fifth most flawed as there is very little good to say about Reverend Parris and his excessive pride. 

Reverend Hale showed a lot of pride in what he did. He always made sure to be “better” than everyone because he had more knowledge than most people. “They must be, they are weighted with authority, (Page 38 Line 5).” Hale has a wide amount of knowledge making him brag about it. He thinks he is way smarter than most people and unlike them, knows what he is doing. Hale is the sixth most flawed character and is very self-centered.

    Thomas Putnam is a selfish, vindictive man and very wealthy in the Salem community. Thomas Putnam would argue to receive more land from his neighbors and gets angry when he doesn’t get his way in politics."I am one of nine sons; the Putnam seed has peopled this province. And yet I have but one child left of eight—and now she shrivels, (Page 29 Line 6).” Mr. Putnam is the seventh most flawed as he was extremely bitter and often felt as he had authority over the Salem community.