The Crucible Theme Essay

Transfer of Power in The Crucible

In The Crucible, Arthur Miller demonstrates a theme of power. Miller shows how power is not earned by distinguished members of society, but easily obtained by anyone in the community. Tituba is described as an African American slave and represents the lowest possible class in the community yet she still has the power to accuse another person of witchcraft and possibly get him/her tried or even killed. This is shown when Tituba lied to Reverend Parris about who she saw with the devil.

Tituba: “Mister Reverend, I do believe someone be witchin’ these children.”

Parris: “Who came to you with the Devil, and how many?”

Tituba: “There were four. And I look and there was Sarah Good and Goody Osburn.”

Once Tituba accused those people of witchcraft, Reverend Parris believed her and tries the accused for witchcraft. Tituba has the power to accuse anyone of witchcraft and put them on trial for their lives. In doing this, Miller contradicts the understood concept that slaves during this time period did not have any power in their community. If Tituba represents a slave in the lowest possible class, how is she able to have so much power?

Tituba is able to do this because of the setting of the play. Arthur Miller shows that in the setting of the Salem Witch Trials, the town was in complete turmoil and hysteria. They were so revolted and frightened by witchcraft that they were willing to accept the word of anyone in the community if they claimed someone was a witch. Regardless of age, gender, race, or social class, the power is evenly distributed. If Tituba were in any other city besides Salem, she would be treated as a typical slave during that time and have no power.