The Crucible

It is true, for human beings, it is natural to want to belong.   It may be something that is born within many of us.   As human beings, we want to be accepted and liked and feel that we “fit in”.     That said it is also natural for human beings to want to express their individuality as we are all unique individuals.   Belonging, though, can come at the price of rigid conformity, especially in societies where rules and authority are strictly enforced, for example, in religious communities.   And sometimes a society might try to enforce belonging in a way that makes it difficult for individuals to live their lives.
Rigid conformity is clearly evident in the text by Arthur Miller, The Crucible.   Through Miller’s representations of people, relationships and events characterised throughout the play, we see the concept of belonging.   Scattered throughout the Crucible is the importance of religion which binds the community and provides a sense of belonging, or not belonging, as the case may be.
The Crucible is set in Salem, Massachusetts in the spring of 1692.   It looks at the need to belong within a particular society that is strict and authoritarian.   It looks at the consequences of making decisions that ultimately lead to a sense of not, or no longer, belonging.
Suspicion grows amongst the community and it would seem the only way to avoid punishment is to admit to being in association with the devil.   “Vengeance is walking Salem” found in Act 2 describes the fear and revenge as the witchcraft scandal spreads through the community.  
In Act 2, the use of the phrase “You know yourself I must do as I am told”, indicates an understanding between two of the play’s characters that it is known they must do what is expected of them in order to “belong”.   It suggests there is little choice but to do what others would expect is the right thing, rather than what the character may “want to do” to gain acceptance from those in society and belong.
On the outside, the members of...