How Does Arthur Miller Present Proctor's Ideals In The Crucible

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible takes place in a puritanical 17th century Salem town, where a distinct line separates right from wrong. Puritan ideals define the individuals living in Salem, and John Proctor, the protagonist, finds himself struggling to act on these ideals. Miller portrays Proctor in different lights throughout the course of the play, as Proctor often finds himself engrossed in the heat of the hysteria driven town. His character starts out lacking clear heroic or admirable features, as his disloyalty to his wife becomes apparent early on. Nevertheless, Proctor means to mend his marriage as he diverts his sinful relationship with Abigail Williams, and slowly his goodwill is depicted. In spite of his personal growth, Proctor’s

Such faith is the basis of the Salem society, the pillar on which community rests upon. Thus, as Reverend Hale interrogates Proctor and discovers his forgetfulness over the final of the Ten Commandments, also pointing out his low attendance at church, Proctor’s religiosity is in question. Later, when questioned over the same allegations by Reverent Parris, Proctor hastily defends himself, stating: “I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation. Take it to heart, Mr. Parris. There are many others who stay away from church these days because you hardly ever mention God any more.” (27). Here, Proctor supports his lack of church attendance by discrediting the Salem church and accusing it of losing its religion. This means that Proctor is still a man of God, yet chooses to practice religion in ways he sees fit. As religion defines goodness in this Puritan town, and it becomes evident that Proctor’s religiosity need not be questioned, Proctor is indeed a good man—worthy of heroic consideration. Proctor nevertheless is faced with a prosecution of witchcraft, and his moral honesty leads him to infinite guilt over his

Proctor struggles greatly with the notion of leaving his children in a world without a father, and fears death as any Christian should. Proctor pleads for innocence, yet knows that regardless of the outcome, his children will have to suffer. Knowing his name would be blackened—especially in such a small Puritan town—Proctor pleads: “I have three children- how may I teach them to walk like men in the world?” (132). Proctor decides to accept his blackened name and to confess, convincing his wife and himself that, “My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing's spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before" (126). This negative self-portrayal is an effort by Proctor to lessen the blow of his confession, accepting that his blackened name does not matter—as he knows he is not a witch, but perhaps not a good man either. Soon after this, however, Proctor proves his goodness to himself and Judge Danforth while tearing up his confession, saying, “You have made your magic now, for now I do think I do see some shred of goodness in John Proctor” (133). By exclaiming that he sees only “good” in himself in the final scene of the play, Proctor reflects his high moral standards held throughout the entirety of The Crucible. Through this action, Proctor chooses to defend his name and support the others who were also wrongly accused, showing his courage and