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John Proctor The Crucible Essay

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The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once said, "Definition of a tragedy: a hero destroyed by the excess of his virtues". The reader finds this statement to resonate with the character, John Proctor, in Arthur Miller’s play, "The Crucible". Arthur Miller, a talented American playwright, wrote "The Crucible" in 1953. The play is used as an allegory to criticize Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist investigations during the McCarthyism era. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, during the Salem witch trials of the 17th century, this play delves into many themes and characteristics, including mass hysteria, greed, and hysteria. However, the play implements many literary devices of what makes a tragic hero, specifically with protagonist John Proctor. …show more content…

After his months spent in the dungeon with no confession, the morning of John’s execution arrived. The morning of his execution, he encountered a visit between judges Danforth and Hawthorne, Reverend Samuel Parris, and Hale. During this encounter, all four men except Hale were trying to get John to sign his confession of witchcraft because if he did, this news would galvanize the town of Salem because John is a very respected figure in town. The reader notices this when Hathorne says, “God be Praised! It is a providence! He will confess! Proctor will confess!” (Miller 127). Proctor did end up confessing since he wanted to live and see his boys grow up, as well as be with Elizabeth. However, the turning point of the entire play is when he signs the confession but then rips it. The reader notices that when Proctor states, “I can. And there’s your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs” (Miller 133). This action not only shocks the other characters but also represents a turning point in Proctor's transformation. He denounces the corrupt system and reclaims his integrity by rejecting the fake confession. Proctor's peripeteia represents his transformation and his choice to give his life in order to reveal the truth and combat the injustice that permeates

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When John confesses to witchcraft Judge Danforth tells him to sign his name on the statement so they could nail it on the door of the church as an example for the town. John doesn’t want this to be associated with his good name. Danforth asks John why he will not sign and John tells him “Because it’s my

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In favor to saving the lives of his friends he has chosen to rip up the signed confession. Before Proctor ripped up the confession, he spoke with his wife Elizabeth Proctor and he goes on to say, “I have been thinking I would confess to them Elizabeth. What say you? If I give them that?”(Act IV.465-468). Elizabeth Proctor then says to Proctor that she will not judge him if he does choose to confess.

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The protagonist John Proctor is a protagonist who spoke his own mind. He respected himself and he denies hypocrisy. At the end of the play, John Proctor has a final speech about his acceptance of himself, he refused to sign a false confession because he remembers his affair with Abigail. He had the honor to speak up his mind and not been defeated by the witch trials. The speech that John Proctor gave at the end of the plays shows the nature dilemmas involved in the trials.

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There were multiple conflicts between multiple people and everybody wanted a good reputation, John struggles to decide if his name is more important to him than his own life. In thought of that, the theme of respect and reputation is a big part in the life of anybody, John and the people of Salem have conflicts about this across all disciplines of their

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Blatantly admitting his dislike for Parris and showing his clear love for God perhaps not in the eyes of all of Salem, but to himself. Furthermore it made it clear to me that my particular thinking was not incorrect, Proctor had no love for Parris. This is also the reason Proctor did not get his third son baptised. There is justification for why Proctor rebels, he does not do it out of spite for the church, he does it out of lack of respect for the people running the church. Proctor is still a firm believer in Christ, he just chooses not to follow a system that he does not believe in, and that system is the way Salem is run, by corruption, hatred for others and self-serving lies.

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John, a respected farmer with a original sin, the affair with Abigail, found a way to get over his guilt and redeem himself through the sacrifice he made to save the people of Salem from the lies they think they need to spread to protect themselves and to take an action towards the false judges who are corrupting his town. He wanted to be a good example to be remembered by and forever in the memories of the people of Salem just like Jesus Christ still remains, to this day, a hero and humble savior of

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Proctor illustrates a great deal of mental illusion. He knows that his signed confession will be used to strengthen the power of the court and blacken the memories of those of those who are about to die. Proctor is a brave man, and can’t

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This makes him a hero because he's trying to win back the trust of his wife while doing everything to prove the innocence of his wife and townspeople being inculpated for witchcraft. John Proctor wasn't perfect but his personality, by being ethical with the townspeople shows his tragic heroism. Furthermore, John Proctor fought valiantly for his wife's freedom, his freedom, and the freedom, and the town of the condemned people. He never lied during the grueling quarrel for freedom.

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Proctor cannot bear to lose his life and leave his wife behind; so when asked by the judge if he will confess, he proclaims "I will have my life," (Miller 137) and presents his confession, falling from his morale of strength and

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In his final act, Proctor atones for his mistakes and delivers a scathing denunciation of the witch trials. He nearly gives in when given a chance to admit his guilt in front of everyone and yet survives, even signing a written confession, but withholds his infidelity to save face from the court because of his great pride and concern for public opinion. Even yet, towards the play's conclusion, he is more concerned about maintaining his integrity than his good name. He still wants to preserve his name for purely personal and religious reasons. Proctor is taking a real spiritual and emotional stand by refusing to give a fake confession.

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"The change in the hero's fortunes be not from misery to happiness, but on the contrary, from happiness to misery, and the cause of it must not lie in any depravity but in some great error on his part." In The Crucible by Arthur Miller John Proctor the protagonist, portrays the role of a tragic hero, his honest and upright character had a mortal flaw, his pride that slowly tied a series of event leading to his downfall, which additionally led to his death. Unfortunately, he did die for a crime he did not commit. In addition another one of his fatal flaw is his passionate character towards Abigail William which led to their affair. Which creates a panic in Salem because of Abigail’s jealousy towards Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth Proctor.

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John states in his article,”Expressing the 'conscience' or 'name' of the protagonist in dramatic terms is a different one from the establishment of Proctor's right to be termed a Tragic Hero in the first place,” shows the intent of Miller putting Proctor In the play(Arthur Miller and the Tradition of Tragedy). Proctor is defined to be the hero of the play in his words or ‘conscience’ and actions or ‘name.’ Dictionary.com has defined a tragic hero to be,”a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destinedfor downfall, suffering, or defeat” pefectly fitting the image of John Protcor(Dictionary.com). Proctor is a virtuous character that meets his doom in the end. Furthering Proctor’s actions combining with his personality flaw, bring about his death known has a tragic

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The Crucible by Arthur Miller, follows Proctor and his story which begins and end with these two events. Proctor is the main protagonist in the play and is a unique character. He has a round and dynamic personality as he goes through the various conflicts in the play. John Proctor’s character is interesting and complex, yet everything about his is revealed as the play progresses. In the beginning Proctor is said to have had an affair

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John Proctor ends up being one of the many people of Salem falsely charged with witchcraft. The trial left him with only two choices: to confess to a lie and spare his life, or die holding his truth. Although this was a difficult decision, Proctor made the right choice when he ultimately decided he’d rather die than confess to something he didn’t do. Despite what Reverend Parris tells him, Proctor’s refusal to confess isn’t vanity but rather an act of pride, maintaining the goodness he still has left in him. Proctor’s final decision was not easily made, as he faced pressure from the court and himself on what was best to do.

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Even though his pride leads him to his death, he was still an honest man. Pride is a very important and worthy quality to have. At the end of the novel in act four his pride overcame him. Proctor would not sign the paper for his confession, " No, no. I have signed it .You

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