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John Proctor As A Tragic Hero In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

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In the story “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller, the character, John Proctor, was one of the

highly respected individuals in the town of Salem. He lend a hand around the town, was known

for his good deeds, and was wrongfully killed for telling the truth and not a lie. This is what

makes him a tragic hero.

John Proctor is considered a tragic hero because he has had a tremendous fall. Before the play

really starts off, he was described as this respectable individual who everyone looked up to

because of the great things he did for the town. However, when his wife Elizabeth Proctor found

out that Proctor was having an affair with Abigail, she kicked Abigail out and the rumors began.

Elizabeth knows that Proctor cheated on her yet remains with him throughout the …show more content…

He was trying to amend the relationship.

Proctor realizes in court when Mary Warren accused him of being the devil that all his poorly

made choice of sleeping with Abigail led him to his fate. A couple of months after he was

accused and sent to jail, the judge brings in Elizabeth to try and reason with Proctor. Elizabeth

told the judge that she doesn’t promise anything and to let her talk to him to see what decision

they could come to. Proctor does eventually confess to working with the devil, signs the

confession, but then he freaks out, grabs the confession, and tore it in half. Proctor made a

decision when he ripped up his confession. He chose to die telling the truth rather than lie, live

and taint his family’s name.

The punishment did exceed the crime. This whole witchcraft accusation started with Proctor

and Abigail having the affair. After he realized his mistake, Proctor wanted nothing to do with

Abigail. Abigail, heartbroken, and a couple of other girls were caught dancing naked in the

woods. Abigail did confess to Tituba forcing her to drink a potion that could kill Elizabeth.

However, when Reverend Parris catches the girls dancing naked in the woods, the

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