Arthur Miller's The Crucible reveals to its audience a melting pot of human emotions, actions and motivations. Under this melting pot considerable heat is applied. This heat emerges from the weaknesses in human nature and the flaws inherent within the formal structures of religion and society that operated in Salem at the time. Miller's drama exposes the weaknesses and darker aspects of human nature; certain individuals are being depicted as those concerned purely with self interest while others, in the mechanism of self preservation, succumb and obliterate all their moral principles. In theocratic Salem, self-interest corrupts the process of justice, and religion is used as a tool for the acting out of every hateful urge under the cover of righteousness. Although a glimmer of hope may be seen through the undying faith, goodness, and desire for truth of certain characters, it is insufficient to outweigh the malevolence and the audience is left feeling that all faith is lost and evil may well be triumphant.

Little faith is shown in human nature as various characters indulged in acts of self interest with little or

The nature of religion in Salem seems to have failed the people of the town. To this end, it has not protected its people. For those who were religious it has only proven to be a failure and not held up the public good, nor subscribed to the rule of God and to religion. In that theocratic state, the prescribed forms have not guaranteed the safety of its people but rather left them exposed to the realities of licentiousness, grudges, interpersonal feuds and jealousies. That puritan religion apparently so righteous, in reality only succeeded in repressing simmering emotions, that in time gave vent to disparities that later erupted around the time of the trial concerning witchcraft. Puritanism turned on the absolute nature of its precepts. Danforth spoke succinctly of it, "a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between", he declared. The theocracy is inviolate; God is infallible. For those who transgress, there is only a demonic alternative. Those who subscribe to witchcraft then are seen to be guilty, having no regard to their actual state. It follows then, that the religion has become a tool by which some manipulate others who are innocent. It is ironic, finally, that what is meant to be protective is ultimately destructive of the innocents. Hypocrisy is wholly evident therefore. It is critical that Rebecca Nurse retains her belief in religion to remain faithful unto death. More than others, she has been sustained by her faith. However, this example faith forms no comparison with the ethos evident in Salem. Therefore, there is little attachment to the critical nature of religion and there can be no faith in religion in Salem.

At the end of the trial, it can be observed directly that theocracy has not been s

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1223
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)