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According to the Websters New World Collegiate dictionary, a crucible is a pot made of substance that can resist extreme heat. It is used to melt metal substances. A crucible can also mean a severe test or trial. In the movie, the crucible would be the severe trial the citizens of Salem were going through, especially John Proctor. 2. At first, the girls pretended to be victims of witchcraft to save themselves. They had in fact, been conjuring spirits with the assistance of Tituba, the African maid, to lure men they desire. However, one of them falls into coma and hysterics so as to put the blame away from them, they blamed it on Tituba. Abigail then confesses to be a victim herself and blames two old women to be corrupted by the devil. Abigail is an orphan and a servant, therefore she lies low in Salem society yet her act convinces the court and she manages to manipulate her friends. Later, the persuasiveness of the act enables them and others to begin using it to kill other citizens for personal gain or for revenge. They saw that the crime of witchcraft did not require any evidence except the testimony of the victim itself and the slightest accusation from her group is power. Abigail herself used her act to break John Proctor and his wife apart. 3. Elizabeth, John Proctors wife is older than Abigail who is still considered a child in Salem society. Abigail made rash decisions that led to the death of many lives. She only thought of her own happiness and did not consider that the man she desired, John, did not find happiness with her. This character was an orphan and a servant, therefore she does not hold a high status in their community yet she is driven by lust and manipulation. Elizabeth was reputed to be an honest woman, even when she was convicted as a witch. She is virtuous and presented as more righteous than even her husband. However, both of them lied: Abigail lied every time she accused somebody of witchcraft and Elizabeth lied the one time her truthful answer would have revealed Abigails deceit. 4. Johns best possession was his good name which means his name was still associated with integrity and respect. By admitting to adultery he had put his good name in danger. A person has to confess to witchcraft in order to save his life. John Proctor was given a chance to live again if only he would write his confession and have it nailed to the church. He refused, because although he wants to live, living the rest of his life is not worth it if it was based on a lie. This self-actualization and Elizabeths forgiveness lets him find peace in the end. 5. Arthur Miller titled this name The Crucible because John, a major character was being tormented all throughout the play. The actually laboratory crucible is made to stand again extreme heat for metals to melt. This means, the crucible has to be made of material with a melting point much higher than metal, so when the substance is being heated the crucible itself withstands the heat. John withstood the heat of accusations thrown at him and the inner torment he had inside about his affair with Abigail. At the end of the play, we can see that his character has evolved into a man who has been able to endure the worst circumstance and end the movie with peace.