The Crucible Act 1

The Crucible is shows both qualities of Puritan writing as well as the breakdown of Puritan beliefs.  The government in this book is a theocracy, which would go along with the Puritan ideals since they were not very tolerant of other religions.  Another way in which this book depicts Puritanism is that while Reverend Parris is in the room, there is a crowd gathered whom he later leads in prayer and songs (Miller 24).  In contradiction to the Puritan beliefs, Proctor says that he does not like the “hellfire and damnation” in Parris’ sermons (Miller 28).  Several people have also not been attending church for some time (Miller Act 1).  This being said along with the quote suggests that Parris was trying to scare some people into attending church, somewhat like Jonathan Edwards did in his sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.  This would have been occurring during the breakdown of Puritan beliefs because people were becoming relaxed with their beliefs so the reverends would try to get them to see their mistakes and repent.  In addition, Mrs. Putnam asks for Tituba to contact the spirits of her dead children and to ask them who had murdered them (Miller 15).  This is also strongly against Puritan ideals.  One key principle for Puritans was to praise God for everything, even if it does not seem like something that is a blessing.  They believe that everything happens for a reason and that God is in control.  By asking a child to perform witchcraft by trying to contact spirits of the dead, she is not putting her trust in God and is committing an abominable act.  In conclusion, the book showed several of the Puritan beliefs as well as the beginning of the break from Puritan ideals.

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York, NY: Penguin, 1996. Print.