Insight plays a large role in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Insight is defined as "the capacity to discern the true nature of a situation". Basically, it means that you are able to realize what is really going on. The word "crucible" is defined as "a severe test or trial". This is realized by the plotline as innocent citizens are cruelly punished for "supernatural" sins. John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, and Reverend hale all gain insight throughout this story.
John learns a lot about himself and others. John Proctor is an honest farmer in the village of Salem when it is violently transformed into a slaughterhouse of saints. Elizabeth is very good to John, which causes him to think of her as near perfect. This fact causes him to protect this goodness with his own life. John also realizes that the Puritan Society is not as good as it seems.
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Map of West Peabody, MA, indicating the 20th centu...
mezzotint portrait of Cotton Mather (Feb. 12, 1663...He notices that they are so God-fearing that they jump at the thought of Satan taking root in their town. They would also do anything to get rid of anything they find. John, through confessing his sins, also learns that his actions were the cause for Elizabeth's unhappiness. Proctor then sacrifices himself to save her and to stop the trials from claiming more lives. Elizabeth also gained substantial insight about other things.
Like John, Elizabeth considers herself a good Christian living her life in a Puritan Society. She tries her best to be a good wife to John, but obviously has a little trouble. Once John confesses lechery, she realizes that she had not been the wife she had thought she was. When she was accused of witchcraft, she gains realization of the true power of superstition in a Puritan community. She notices that all members are quick to...