Victims, Villians and Heroes in The Crucible by Arthur Miller

In The Crucible Arthur Miller presents several types of characters who are able to fit into three stereotypical categories, victims, villains and heroes. These characters and groups are easily identified through the actions of the play itself and the author notes included which provide information on certain characters giving insight into their life. Such strategies allow Miller to develop characters into the stereotypical roles.

Firstly, the entire community of Salem, Massachusetts is the victim of Abigail’s mind games. She is the leader of the small group of girls who cause the trouble. She is instantly perceived as a “bad girl” to the reader and manipulates the local community and outsider’s strong spiritual beliefs by accusing people of witchcraft which is heavily related to the Devil. Even though the audience knows she is a “Villain”, other characters like Reverend John Hale and Judge Hathorne perceive her as a poor innocent child who has been influenced by “evil...