Question

Describe the nature of the personal conflict between Proctor and Elizabeth. How might their argument echo the action of the play at large

Answer 1

Answer:

The nature of the personal conflict between John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor was exacerbated by the infidelity between John and Abigail.  No woman has ever liked sharing her husband with another woman.  Men also hated sharing their wives with other men, but they indulge in this evil, all the same.

Their argument of whether to present the illicit affair before the court in order to determine the witchcraft accusations being peddled by Abigail Williams against Elizabeth Proctor further heightened the action of the play.

Explanation:

Arthur Miller's 1953 play, titled "The Crucible," was written to chronicle the events that led to the witchcraft trial.  The play's events corresponded to the events that actually occurred in Salem, Massachusetts during 1692.  According to Arthur Miller, the main idea behind "The Crucible" was to criticize McCarthyism or the practice of making accusations without sufficient evidence. The play wanted to encourage people to stop jumping to the worst conclusions, especially when they lacked substantial evidence.