Mary Warren is a character in The Crucible, a play centered around the Salem witch trials and the individuals linked to the deaths that occurred during this dark period. In this play, the circumstances leading to the trials are revealed, including the events leading up to the hanging of both the first and last victims. Despite it being mostly unintentional, Mary Warren inadvertently contributes to a significant number of these deaths. The Crucible forces us to contemplate the concept that even those who are innocent may bear the greatest guilt.
Born on October 17, 1915 in Harlem, New York, Arthur Miller was a renowned playwright during the early 20th century. His notable work includes The Crucible, written amidst the Red Scare era. Drawing inspiration from the infamous Salem witch trials that took place in Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693, Miller utilized his play as a platform to express his opinions regarding America’s flaws at that time. Being an affluent and esteemed member of society, Miller used The Crucible as a means to expose the absurdity and turmoil experienced during the witch trials period where more than 200 individuals were accused of practicing witchcraft and approximately 20 met their demise through execution.
The colony admitted that the trials were a mistake and compensated the families of those who were convicted. Since then, the Salem witch trials have become synonymous with paranoia and injustice. Centuries ago, many Christians and individuals from other religions believed strongly in witches, who they thought received power from the Devil and could harm others in exchange for loyalty. This belief in witchcraft spread across Europe from the 1300s to the late 1600s, leading to the execution of tens of thousands of accused witches, predominantly women. Although the Salem trials happened as the European craze was declining, local circumstances played a part in starting them. Mary Warren is depicted as a very naïve and seemingly innocent character.
In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, the character of Mary is used to demonstrate the immense amount of hysteria that pervaded during the Salem witch trials. Mary’s unparalleled fear distinguishes her from all other characters in the play. By showcasing her adaptability, Miller emphasizes the inherent vulnerability of the people in Salem at that time and their disregard for women within their community. Moreover, Mary serves as a contrasting figure to Abigail – depicted as vengeful, self-centered, manipulative, and an exceptional fabricator.
This young lady displays an impressive aptitude for spreading death and destruction wherever she goes. She possesses a unique capability to manipulate others and gain control over them. In contrast, Mary is portrayed as an innocent child while Abigail is depicted as the malevolent witch. The fact that Abigail can effortlessly manipulate Mary, who is easily swayed, emphasizes her cunning nature. Mary constantly changes her story and perspective out of fear of others, creating tension in the narrative and confusing those around her. She acts out of terror and becomes a symbol of the entire community’s fears and vulnerabilities. Despite not intending or desiring it, Mary ends up causing harm to others, similar to Abigail. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Mary is introduced as “a subservient, naïve, lonely girl,” highlighting her timidity and lack of wisdom or judgment. This description provided in the stage directions reveals her true character which differs from Abigail’s false innocence. Although Mary was present during the events in the forest where the girls were caught dancing naked and summoning spirits, we learn that she did not actively participate. Later on, Mary Warren joins the court that condemns witches and initially takes pleasure in the power it gives her. She expresses astonishment at how important their work is and asserts herself as an official representative of the court, exposing her newfound status and influence.
During that period, women were typically viewed as men’s property, so it was uncommon for them to experience a sudden rise in status. However, Mary intends well but is deceived and manipulated by Abigail. Abigail exploits Mary’s fascination with supernatural events to incite hysteria. Mary attempts to assert her newfound authority over Proctor and challenge the existing social hierarchy. John Proctor, the protagonist of The Crucible, faces his own struggles. He used to possess everything desired by a typical Puritan man: a prosperous farm, obedient sons, and a loving spouse. His honesty and outspoken nature earned him respect for exposing hypocrisy and most importantly, he had self-respect. On pages 33-34 of the text, it is revealed that Mary Warren saved someone’s life. Despite this act of bravery, others dismiss her claims when she denies witnessing any signs of harmful spirits. This suggests that Mary relishes the power gained from making accusations and resembles Abigail in this aspect.However,Mary also defies Proctor by protecting Elizabeth Proctor whom she currently serves.But it should be noted that while both Abigail and Mary exploit their power in some way ,Abigail seeks to eliminate Elizabeth from Proctor’s life so she can have him for herself whereas Mary simply strives to do what is right.
Mary heavily relies on the support and approval of other characters, suggesting that her desire to defy Proctor is actually a search for support after protecting his wife from conviction for witchcraft. However, as innocent people are sentenced, Mary begins to feel guilty about her involvement. Her guilty conscience first manifests when she creates a doll for Elizabeth. In court, Abigail mentions Elizabeth’s name, and Mary knows it was solely out of vengeance. Mary was present when Abigail coerced Tituba into cursing Elizabeth, and she is aware of Abigail’s affair and obsession with Proctor. Although Mary tries to reconcile, it backfires when Abigail uses the doll to frame Elizabeth for witchcraft. This exacerbates Mary’s guilt, leading her to agree with Proctor to testify against Abigail in court. During the court scene, Mary’s weak nature becomes evident as she becomes flustered under pressure of being hanged. To save herself from condemnation, she accuses Proctor of witchcraft and Devil worship. The quotation “You’re the Devil’s man… Abby, I’ll never hurt you more!” clearly demonstrates how easily manipulable Mary Warren’s character is as she retracts her confession, despite knowing Abigail is lying, due to fear.Mary’s sole concern is her fear and self-preservation; no matter the extent of her guilt or the awareness of her wrongdoing, nothing matters more to her than ensuring her survival.
The quote further demonstrates the depth of the hysteria in her mind, as she effortlessly changes her statement. This girl exhibits intelligence in turning a seemingly impossible situation to her advantage. It is a reminder that even well-intentioned individuals can engage in destructive actions when caught up in mass hysteria, such as the Witch Trials.
