Abstract

The purpose of the present analysis of “The Crucible” is to study the action of the play in terms of the implication of quest for identity of the characters involved by scrutinizing the various dilemmas into which the characters find themselves. The self of an individual becomes foregrounded in the moment of crisis, which involves emotional, moral and social predicaments. Such situations lead the individual to enter into a process of covert introspection, which leads to certain decisions resulting in an overt action. Thus, the study of the actions of characters in a play can effectively lead to an understanding of the nature of their ‘self’. By studying the play from the perspective mentioned earlier, the researcher hopes to uncover a hidden search for identity in the play.

Key words: Crucible, self, identity, quest, self-understanding.