Arthur Miller on the Devil

Within the introduction to the character of Mr Hale in Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible the audience is given an insight into the author’s personal opinion and thoughts on the devil. In his opinion, the devil is less of a reality and more of a tool, a form of control created by the church, as is evident where he refers to the devil as a “a weapon designed... to whip men into a surrender to a particular church or church state.” Through his analysis in the church’s constant emphasis on the fact that god and the devil are polar opposites – that god represents anything and everything good and wholesome while everything evil is the work of the devil – we are presented with Miller’s belief that this devil, while he may not be real, has become a fundamental concept in the minds of society. He goes on to assert: ‘It is as impossible for most men to conceive of a morality without sin as of an earth without sky,’ thus suggesting that while the devil may have initially been an ecclesiastical scheme to gain power, it has now become a staple idea in our perception and understanding of the world, and plays a crucial role in our search for balance, knowledge and answers. This attitude of Arthur Miller towards the devil and his belief that the devil is more of a philosophical staple is clearly conveyed through his introduction of Mr Hale.