Excessive Pride through The Crucible
In the play, The Crucible, everyone holds an excessive amount of pride which is an over exaggerated sense of ones own proper dignity or value. “Dictionary.reference.” This critical play takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. (883) Throughout the story, it indicates what happened during the Salem Witch Trials. The story is based on a secret love affair between two main characters, Abigail Williams, who is seventeen years old, and John Proctor, who is thirty-five. This love affair ignites a variety of arguments and hatred between, John, his wife Elisabeth, Abigail and her family, and the entire town of Salem. It started when Abigail and her friends accused the other townspeople of witchcraft. During
…show more content…
He was not so religious, not faithful to his beliefs, and not a very good Puritan man, overall. However, his high self-pride was putting his “name” to shame in the small town. John isn’t like the other men, he does not make friends in the town. He argues with the Reverend Parris and also with the Putnam family. John's pride won't allow him to give in to their points, and prompts him to point out the flaws in others. His self-pride makes him regret his choses; he knows he has sinned and is unworthy, and can't find his way back. Proctor fell with his relationship with Abby, he came to believe his flaws were more evident in his words and actions throughout the play. He states “You will not use me! I am no Sarah Good or Tituba, I am John Proctor! You will not use me! It is no part of salvation that you should use me!” (969) John thinks he is the leader and role model of the town, but people look down upon him as he lies and betrays his loved ones. He believes that his name should stay in put and that the people should still treat him as a part of the society. So he confesses and says “You are the high court, your word is good enough! Tell them I confessed myself; say Proctor broke his knees and wept like a woman; say what you will, but my name cannot.” John finally confesses because he believes his family can be more important than his name but he doesn’t take much to rip up the confession soon