In Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, Mary Warren, who is one of the key characters, does something that significantly unsettles her employers, the Proctors. Throughout the play, she is depicted as a somewhat timid and easily influenced young woman. In Act 2, Mary Warren, who works as a servant for John and Elizabeth Proctor, returns home after participating in the Salem witch trials. She carries with her a poppet (a small doll) that she had made while in court. This seemingly innocent act becomes a point of contention.
Mary Warren’s choice to assert her newfound power by giving Elizabeth Proctor the poppet is what deeply frustrates her employers. She revels in her role as a court official, having gained a sense of authority and importance from her involvement in the trials. However, John Proctor is not pleased with her actions. He understands that the trials have led to chaos and the wrongful persecution of many innocent people, including his own wife.
Mary’s actions upset Elizabeth Proctor as well because the poppet becomes a crucial piece of evidence against her. Abigail Williams, who is manipulating the court for her own gain, uses the doll to accuse Elizabeth of witchcraft. This incident illustrates Mary Warren’s naivety; she does not realize the consequences of her actions and how they can be misinterpreted. Overall, Mary Warren’s actions highlight the themes of power, hysteria, and the vulnerability of truth within the play.