God created humanity in his own-image and gave them one instruction. However, Eve
disobeyed God's instruction and influenced Adam to do the same. As punishment, God made it
so that men would struggle in their daily work. Whereas, women would give birth in agony and
be ruled over by their husbands. In Arthur Miller’s novel, The Crucible, women are inferior in
contrast to men. This is due to Puritan religious beliefs, which describe women as easily prone to
temptation by the devil. As well as being motivated through pure self-interest.
First, Puritans' live by a strict religious code. They greatly rely on the book of Genesis,
where it establishes that women are inferior because Eve is born from Adam's rib. As a result,
men believe they have the right to dominate women. One way, The Crucible, addresses this
matter is through the abuse of women. On several instances, John Proctor disciplines Mary
Warren in. "-grasping her by the throat as though he would strangle her" (Miller, 80). Mr.
Proctor constantly threatens Mary Warrens' life to beat obedience and moral rights into her.
Furthermore, Puritan society limits the roles women fill. Their most important responsibilities
consist of tending to their chores, taking care of their husbands and children, and reproducing.
Elizabeth Proctor portrays the ideal housewife as the author writes."She brings the plate to the
table and indicating the food"(Miller, 50). According to the Bible, a woman is to fulfill her duties
as punishment for Eve's original sin. To conclude, due to Puritan beliefs women are inferior to
their male counterparts.
Secondly, since Puritan's believe the devil tempted Eve first women are submissive and
untrustworthy beings. For this reason, women are easily susceptible to the devil. This belief
makes the witch accusations worse because the high authorities are corrupt by illogical fear.
When Abigail confesses," I danced for the Devil; I saw him; I wrote in his book; I go back to
Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil!" (Miller, 48). The Puritan-males believe
her right away because when women show greater authority than their limitations Puritan men
feel threatened. Thus, made is the assumption that women obtain their power from Satan. This
assumption is a threat against women to keep them in their proper place. Additionally, Miller
shows a stereotypical woman of the 1600s through Mary Warren, a weak-willed character. When
Mary speaks the truth about the accusations, the assumption carried out by the court is that Mary
has conspired in witchcraft. When she says, "My name, he wants my name. ‘I'll murder you, ' he
says, ‘if my wife hangs! We must go and overthrow the court, ' he says!"(Miller, 119). At the end
of act two, Mary does not want to tell the court that the girls are lying, but after John Proctor
persuades her, she does. Soon after, the girls being accusing Mary of witchcraft. To protect
herself, Mary betrays the truth and Mr. Proctor. This shows how men believe any power a
woman obtains must come from the Devil. It also shows how weak-willed women are.
People sin for selfish reasons. Abigail Williams is a prodigious example of how her
selfish desires kill the man she loves. This play indicates, that before it begins, that Mrs.
Williams was once the Proctor's servant. However, when Mrs. Proctor learns of the affair her
husband John, is having with Abigail she dismisses the young girl from her position. Cheever
tells what happens to Abigail, at dinner in Reverend Parris's house, when he interrogates
Elizabeth,"stuck two inches in the flesh of her belly, he draw a needle out…-testify it were your
wife's familiar spirit pushed it in"(Miller, 74). Selfishness motivates Abigail because to acquire
vengeance, by murder, and win John Proctors heart she accuses Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft.
In addition, self-interest motivates Elizabeth because she refuses to forgive her husband. She is
constantly suspicious of his actions. John is remorseful, but one night when Mr. Proctor has had
enough of his wife's interrogation, he argues. "You forget nothing' and forgive nothing." Her
refusal to forgive him is a manipulative way to stop him from cheating ever again. He goes on to
say. "I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you" (Miller, 54). John
Proctors happiness depends on his wife's forgiveness. Therefore, the self-interest of women
allows them to dominate one another and their husbands.
To summarize, in Arthur Miller’s, The Crucible, women in Puritan Society are inferior.
This is proven through the view of Puritan religious beliefs. Furthermore, women are easily
susceptible to the devil because they are morally weaker than men are. Lastly, even though
women are inferior to their selfish ways help them dominate one another and their husbands.