How Does John Proctor Build Goodness In The Crucible

I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from dogs (Miller 300). This quote is taken from The Crucible, a play about the New Salem Witch trials that is an allegory for the Red Scare. During this time, people not only accused people of being witches for vengeance but because of the mass hysteria that frightened everyone. The only way to save yourself from execution is to give confessions and convict others. This caused major character developments within the people during this time. In the Crucible, John Proctor begins the play as a manipulative liar with anger issues who undergoes a change when his wife is accused of witchcraft, and by the conclusion of the play John Proctor

You forget nothin and forgive nothin. Learn about charity women. I have not moved from there to there without i think to please you, and still an everlasting funeral marches round your heart. (Miller 157)” This example shows clearly that he is manipulating his wife into thinking that it is her fault that her husband committed lechery with Abigail. Therefore, passing his sin to her and making her feel guilty and unworthy of him. Another trait John had was anger issues. He expressed this many times in the play, including when he is going to whip Mary because she’s going to town to help find the devil. As Proctor is getting the whip ready full of anger, Mary continues to say “I'll not stand whipping any more! Miller 313)”. Miller 183-313. By her saying that, it shows that whipping is often an event for her. Throughout the play there is a threat of whipping a lot. John is the one who suggests most of them out of anger. That is until his wife gets accused. When John’s wife gets accused and taken for witchcraft, he realizes his manipulation and anger issues will not save her. He also realizes he will have to come to terms with admitting to the affair with

Another example of how he is changing is when he is reciting bible references to Mary including the damned of liars and when he says, “Mary remember the angel Rapheal do that which is good (Miller 1079)”. Miller 1070-1080. This shows instead of lasting out with anger, he decided to try and help Mary decide what to do by reciting and referencing the Bible. This helps his development towards the end of the play. John Proctor by the end of the play is an honest man who could not lie any further. Even though he gave a confession with a signature in front of the court, the priests, his wife, and two of their friends. In the end, he does not go through with it. He rips it in half and states, “I have given you my soul; leave me my name! (Miller 730)”. The. And with that he is hung. Miller 580-787. By ripping up the confession he gave his life to them. He could not bear lying any further. This truly shows how John became an honest man in The Crucible. In the Crucible, John Proctor begins the play as a manipulative liar with anger issues who undergoes a change when his wife is accused of witchcraft, and by the conclusion of the play John Proctor becomes an honest