John Proctor Sacrifice In The Crucible

The tale of a tragedy is portrayed in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible as the scandal of falling guilty to witchcraft drives the town of Salem to shambles in the spring of 1692. The town of Salem was a strong participant of Puritanism; this was a type of religion that espoused honesty and obedience. They acquire a theology where God is their protector and they must obey him. When lies and sins flooded the town like water, panic arose. The witch hunt commenced when Betty, Reverend Parris’s daughter, lies motionless due to witchcraft. Abigail claims that they were just dancing in the woods; however, Parris does not believe it because he claims that he saw someone naked running in the woods, as other women surrounded Tituba performing witchcraft.

Salem engraved the character of John Proctor as a man with grace and dignity. Proctor knew that the only thing he could save when faced with that decision was his name. He could not imagine a life where his legacy does not carry to future generations. Proctor claims, “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” (Miller 583). The emphasis on the emotion Proctor has embellishes his pride for his name and how it should be remembered with

John Proctor had already done crucial damage to those in Salem including Elizabeth Proctor, Mary Warren, etc. Mary Warren was his servant and she saw no good in this man. During court she states, “ Don’t touch me- don’t touch me. You’re the Devil’s man!” (Miller 654). He had an affair with Abigail, which made him become distant and cold with his wife Elizabeth Proctor. He broke the character of trust the town of Salem praises. He was aware of his sins and wanted to do no more. In the play he mentions, “ I think it is honest, I think so; I am no saint. Let Rebecca go like a saint; for me it is a fraud!” (Miller 673). This accentuates the humility that Proctor carries. He is realizing how his pride caused Salem to go through death and terror. John Proctor coming to terms with his defects echoes the purpose of Puritanism and how one must not be blind sided by our