ipl-logo

John Proctor The Protagonist Analysis

1076 Words5 Pages

Hannah Rousseau
Mr. Stensrud
Honors US Literature and Composition
3.18.16
John Proctor the Protagonist? The Crucible, is a story about witch trials that were held Salem, Massachusetts 1692. These trials were held because of a young girl named Abigail who wanted revenge on Elizabeth Proctor. She wanted revenge because she loves John and wants him to herself. Abigail started making accusations on Elizabeth and other girls that they committed witchcraft. These accusations get these other women in trouble because the court ends up believing Abigail and the other young girls involved. Abigail is commonly seen as the antagonist, but there are many speculations on who is the protagonist. A protagonist is a main character or lead role throughout a …show more content…

Proctor says, ¨Then let you come out and call them wrong. Did you consult the wardens before you called this minister to look for details?¨ (I. 540-542). John is talking to Parris about Betty and her condition. Parris is thinking about blaming it on witchcraft without even asking a doctor first but Proctor is trying to convince him otherwise. This shows that from the beginning John is trying to deny that there is witchcraft and keep the rumors from spreading. It shows that he really cares for the town and the people in it, if he did not care, he wouldn't try to protect it. Later on in Act One, John proves that he is questioning everything that is starting to happen in Salem. Parris starts to bring in wardens and officials to investigate the issues at hand. John is getting suspicious about the authority that he is calling. He says, ¨I mean it solemnly, Rebecca; I like not the smell of this ¨authority¨¨ (I. 650). This quote again shows how he is very suspicious about all of this so called witchcraft. It adds to his character that he may be predicting that something bad might happen when this authority starts to investigate. In Act One John Proctor starts to show his side of concern for the townspeople. Which is starting to prove him to be the …show more content…

They are trying to get someone to convince everyone convicted that they can be saved. No one wants to confess though because that would mean that they are admitting to something they didn´t do. John however, being the protagonist that he has become, confesses. He proclaims, ¨Then who will judge me? God in Heaven, what is John Proctor, what is John Proctor? I think it is honest; I think so; I am no saint. Let Rebecca go like a saint; for me it's fraud¨ (IV. 541- 549). John gets up the courage to confessing that he had dealings with the devil even though he knows and everyone else knows that it is not true. By confessing and throwing away his selfishness to save the people who are about to hang he proves himself to be the play's protagonist. This is one of John's bigger moments. He put his life in danger to save the people he cares about. John Proctor has proven himself through all these ways that he is the lead role, hero and protagonist of The Crucible. A protagonist is someone who is willing to risk their lives, reputation and happiness to save the ones they care about, this description perfectly describes John Proctor. He did everything he could to convince the court that witchcraft in the town is all a lie made up by Abigail and the other girls to help them get revenge. Through John´s actions throughout the story prove that he is the protagonist and he should be looked up to by others because of his selfless

Show More
Related
953 Words | 4 Pages

As once he was a immature selfish man he’s able to transform into a decent and more morally sound one. In the beginning of the play, John seems to only look out for number one, himself; he gives into times of temptation with Abigail and does not pity his wife and mother of his children when the affair is brought to light. In contrast, when he hangs, he does so for the sake of Elizabeth and his children. When speaking of his family, Proctor says, “I blacken all of them when this is nailed to the church the very day they hang for silence” (143).

Read More
134 Words | 1 Pages

In my opinion John Proctor is the protagonist of the crucible, because there are some reasons. One reason for me is that John Proctor is starting the Salem witch trials indirectly. It is Abigail who starts the trials, but she only does it to kill John’s wife to be the only one John love and they finally can get married. Because of that the relationship between John, his wife and Abigail is in the foreground. Another reason why John is very important in the Crucible is that he has a strong voice in the community.

Read More
945 Words | 4 Pages

He also goes on and tries to explain to an unforgiving crowd that the witch hunts are a fake, and that it is all led by a lovesick girl. In The Crucible, John Proctor, the protagonist of the play, is put under intense guilt

Read More
2173 Words | 9 Pages

These characters are usually very prideful, but are intelligent and learn something at the end of the story. The tragic hero of The Crucible is John Proctor, whose flaw is that he had committed adultery with Abigail Williams, due to the cold nature of his wife. The events that led to his fall first start when his wife is arrested for witchcraft. He is extremely angered by this unfair arrest and rips the warrant, screaming, “Off with you!” (72) as they try to take custody of her.

Read More
502 Words | 3 Pages

The one person who could have stopped the Salem Witch Trials was none other than a tragic hero. Aristotle developed the idea of a tragic hero in a story. This person was someone who was an exceptional person, they were quite prideful, and by the end they must die. In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John Proctor is a tragic hero. He is an exceptional man with lust as a fatal error, he takes pride in his name, and by the end he dies and repents.

Read More
1218 Words | 5 Pages

This shows that John is a merciful being and desires forgiveness from his wife and God, therefore demonstrating traits of a good man. Furthermore, John has a heated argument with his wife, due to his encounter with Abigail, alone. Although, he thinks his wife will doubt him, she states on the contrary, “I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you. I never thought you but a good man, John - only somewhat bewildered” (55).

Read More
761 Words | 4 Pages

John’s name is important to him as he says in Act 4, and he is willing to give it up for his wife and it is worth it. John is honorable because his wife is the most important person in his life, and he would do anything for her. John is a good husband because of his selfless actions toward his wife. John’s portrays honor throughout The Crucible in his loyalty, the good he gives to others and he's a good husband.

Read More
670 Words | 3 Pages

John Proctor is being accused of doing witchcraft and is being meant to sign a document saying he is guilty and concurs with the ruling of the court. This said

Read More
835 Words | 4 Pages

The first impressive characteristic of John Proctor is his bravery. Speaking out against the “afflicted” girls in the way he did could cause serious question of him as a person. From the court’s standpoint John could be seen as directly opposing the court, which would have him jailed, or could even have him be accused of witchcraft. Also, he would have had to have known that Abigail Williams would have immediately accused him of being a witch once he spoke out against them. However, that did not stop him from delivering the truth to the court.

Read More
822 Words | 4 Pages

People in the Crucible thought he was an honorable man and that no honorable man will ever sin. So when John and Abigail meet each other, Abigail flirts with John, and John say, “No, no, Abby. That’s done with.” So we know he has committed adultery against his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, with Abigail Williams and that gives us a bad image of John sinning and commiting adultery with Abigail and doesn’t really respect his wife.

Read More
483 Words | 2 Pages

Proctor says “ You are the high court, your word is good enough! tell them i confessed myself; say proctor broke his knees and wept like a woman, but my name cannot!”. In the quote John Proctor does not want written proof that he was a witch because he wants to protect his friends and not throw them under the bus. This means he cares for his friends and is truly a good man. Proctor says; “ let them that near dead now take their souls, it is pretence to me.”

Read More
705 Words | 3 Pages

He was given the choice to either confess to being apart of witchcraft and be spared or not confess and get hanged. He is allowed to talk this over with his wife and at first they decide it would be better to confess even though they know he didn’t do anything! At this point in the play John realizes that it is not the right thing to do. He says “ How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul now give me your name.”

Read More
612 Words | 3 Pages

Shortly after ripping the confession up Proctor states “You have made you 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 144). Proctor is displaying the self-respect he has obtained from doing the moral thing. This quote also indicates Proctor’s personal change of attitude towards himself. For example, he was hard on himself earlier in the play, comparing himself with dust and later he claims he sees good in

Read More
566 Words | 3 Pages

Then, John was accused of witchcraft. He was given the choice to tell the truth and be prosecuted or confess to a crime he didn’t commit and be set free. He chose to tell the truth and got sent to jail. During this time, he said “... what is John Proctor? I think it is honest” (page 138).

Read More
947 Words | 4 Pages

Abigail is clearly the villain of the story, as she is selfish, vengeful, and manipulative. She feels no remorse for her actions. whereas Elizabeth tends to act more in a socially acceptable manner, and feels some sort of guilt for trying to cover and protect her husband. But it is John who carries the fatal flaw; his affair with Abigail.

Read More

More about John Proctor The Protagonist Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document