In The Crucible, many symbols are used whether it is through characters or objects. One of the symbols that are mentioned in the play is cows that roam Salem. The cows that roam Salem's streets represent the chaos that the Salem community is facing during this time. Everyone is accusing other people for things and no one will confess and truly say what is going on. The cows also symbolize the jailing of many Puritans during the witch trials. During those times, many people were farmers and owned cattle, including cows. Those cows that roam the streets are the cows of people that are already in jail. Cheever says "[t]here be so many cows wanderin' the highroads, now their masters are in the jails, and much disagreement who they will belong to now" (125).

In addition to the cows, another symbol is Proctor's signature. Proctor's signature represents his...