Fear To Redemption In Arthur Miller's The Crucible

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The whole town has gone crazy with the thought of witchcraft. The town and its government has killed innocent people and ruined families. This is the setting of Salem, Massachusetts during the Salem Witch Trials. Johns emotions have been captured and have shifted throughout the book from fear to redemption. John Proctor is a very thought of man with lots of land in Salem, his wife Elizabeth was accused of witchcraft and in order to prove her innocence he tries everything. In the The Crucible, John Proctor’s motivation shifts from fear to redemption, which causes him to be accused of witchcraft. John Proctor initially is scared for his wife being accused of witchcraft because of his fear of the punishment. John initially gets scared because …show more content…

It is time for John to be hung and he asks for one moment to speak to his wife in private. When John speaks to his wife he tells her about everything he has done, he realizes he doesn't want to prove what he was gonna prove anymore and he wants to sign away his name. John thinks to himself about what he would go through and the other options besides being hung. He plays out the scenarios in his head before he finally decides to just be hung. John says to Elizabeth, “ I have been thinking I would confess to them, Elizabeth” (Miller 135). This quotes shows that although John does not want to be hung, but he has a hard time evening thinking about confessing. The more John thinks about it he signs his name and admits to witchcraft, but after realizing what he has done he rips the paper up and goes to the wagon to get hung. This all shows how the fear of death almost over powered him and he almost lost his reputation that he was very proud of and wanted to keep. In the The Crucible, John Proctor’s motivation shifts from fear to redemption, which causes him to be accused of witchcraft. In conclusion John is scared for his wife, doesnt want his reputation or name tarnished, and he doesn't want to die but wants to keep his dignity. Johns decision to not confess ultimately led to his death, if he chose to confess he would still be alive and with his kids and