The Crucible and Conflict

Underlying the plot of many dramatic plays is conflict. In Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”, conflict arises between the people of Salem and this affects the relationships of many individuals. Based on the Salem Witch Trials of the 17th Century, the Massachusetts town of Salem was formed as a theocracy. Because of this, everyone is forced to conform to the Christian Church and their beliefs. This makes the community very cautious and also suspicious of their peers. The protagonist John Proctor faces conflict with his wife Elizabeth and Abigail Williams, as a result of his actions, and also creates conflict between Eliz and abi.

While his wife is sick, John brakes one of the Ten Commandments and commits adultery by having an affair with the young Abigail Williams. Tension between john ans his wife is first shown in Act two, as it opens on the pretense of Elizabeth being a good wife worrying abou...