"The Crucible" Major Themes
by Valeria Montemayor
1. Envy/Vengeance
1.1. "A word about Thomas Putnum. He was a man with many grievances... so it is not surprising to find that so many accusations against people are in the the handwriting of Thomas Putnum, or that his name is so often found as a witness corroborating the supernatural testimony, or that his daughter led the crying-out at the most opportune junctures of the trials." (Miller 15).
1.2. "Proctor: ... I'll tell you what's walking in Salem--vengeance is walking in Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law! This warrant's vengeance! I'll not give my wife to vengeance!" (Miller 77).
2. Conformity/Nonconformity
2.1. "Parris: There is a party in this church. I am not blind; there is a faction and a party. Proctor: Against you? Putnum: Against him and all authority! Proctor: Why, then I must find it and join it. (Miller 30-31).
3. Danger of books/learning
3.1. "Giles: Martha, my wife. I have waked at night many a time and found her in a corner, readin' of a book. Now what do you make of that?" (Miller 40).
4. Good vs. Evil
4.1. Who represents good and who represents evil?
4.1.1. "Proctor: If she is innocent! Why do you never wonder if Parris be innocent, or Abigail? Is the accuser always holy now? Were they born this morning as clean as God's fingers? (Miller 77).