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John Proctor's Integrity In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

1402 Words6 Pages

Most of us wish to atone for many of our past wrongdoings. Those that result from actions that have been undertaken with conscience or without. However, with atonement comes the need to hurt one's ego, to recognise, take accountability and act. We must become the critics and judge our personal merits – a process that takes effort, an effort that tears at our pride and can pick apart our self-righteousness. It requires goodness and strong will. In Arthur Miller's 1953 play The Crucible, John Proctor, a character who worked toward strengthening his once-poor integrity, invites readers to reflect upon themselves, recognise and uphold their individualistic principles of moral conduct. Through the elaborate and effective use of his creative licence, …show more content…

Through the incorporation of common themes in his writing, Miller effectively explores assumptions, ideologies and challenges that are not only relevant to readers but also encourage personal reflection and growth. Most – if not all – of Miller's characters have faced continuous challenges that have shaped them into whom they have become by the conclusion of the play. The extreme temperatures of the crucible could also signify the burning fires of hell. Through the Australian Story episode Lady Justice, featuring Australian lawyer and human rights activist Debbie Kilroy, similar concepts of character development are evident. Kilroy's relentless attempts to fight for the freedoms of the oppressed are highlighted throughout the episode. The documentary also emphasises her resilient character and strong will that allowed Kilroy to move beyond her troubled past and adopt an oppugnant lifestyle. The continued success of Australian Story is evidence of Australia's curiosity; Australians are interested in learning more about the individuals who have contributed to their shared …show more content…

An author can influence their audience in various ways through the practical uses of ethos, pathos, and logos. Both The Crucible and Australian Story episode Lady Justice explores notions of redemption and reform. However, where The Crucible suggests views of redemption per one’s moral conduct, Lady Justice instead emphasises the influence of broader society when striving for redemption. Ultimately, both texts explore and reinforce similar beliefs that reformation results from honesty and self-respect. The value of dignity and understanding one’s individualistic standards are explored in greater depth throughout both texts through the compelling portrayal of character and character experience. Clear parallels are drawn between The Crucible and The Red Scare, which took place in the US in the 1950s and gave rise to the vehement campaign called McCarthyism. Miller’s defiance of McCarthyism and refusal to testify against communist sympathisers led to his arrest in 1956. Through John Proctor, the playwright mirrors his personal experiences to that of his characters. Due to the honest and ethical nature of his character, Proctor imposes solid morals and values that disregard his personal need for social validation; his righteousness restricts his ability to tie himself to treachery and corrupt his

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There has come a time in everyone’s life when their character was called into question, or someone accused them wrongly of something they did not do. This puts a person’s morality on the line and tests whether they will do what’s best for them or the masses. The Crucible by Arthur Miller shows the characters John Proctor, Deputy Governor Danforth, and Abigail Williams going through this same test. The play provides a narrative on how people choose to value their own reputation and honor over protecting the lives of themselves and others.

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ohn Proctor is an aggressor who employs gaslighting. Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible in the 1950s as a way of pointing out the insanity of the Communist Red Scare. During the Red Scare the House Un-American Activities Committee, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin, would predatorily target and accuse American citizens of being communists. In The Crucible, I argue that John Proctor could have prevented the widespread panic in Salem by confessing his crimes earlier, avoiding Abigail, and speaking out publicly against the allegations. John Proctor is to blame for every issue within The Crucible because he refused to accept accountability for his own behavior and instead placed the entire blame on Abigail when the text says”if she is

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Proctor’s actions have taught us to put others before us. Through John Proctor's developments from a confused man to a conscience stricken man and ending in a town role model, Arthur Miller illustrates the ability of overcoming one’s past mistakes. John Proctor overcame his past challenges but he was a

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This powerful statement showcases Proctor's willingness to sacrifice the court's flawed sense of justice. These quotes, along with many others, highlight the immense courage required to stand up against social injustice. In “The Crucible” Miller emphasizes the importance of individual freedom against oppressive systems through his portrayal of how Proctors stand against the

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Helen Keller, a disabled rights activist, American author, and lecturer once said “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” This quote relates to The Crucible by Arthur Miller by showing how a dynamic character changes throughout the story of the Salem witch trials. During this story, the character who goes through the most change is the character Reverend Hale. Through Reverend Hale’s change from a narcissistic holy man to a humbled, guilt-ridden man, Arthur Miller illustrates the realization of regret changing a man.

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In the play “The Crucible”, Arthur Miller uses his writing as a way to inform readers of the dangers of conforming. He writes about the years of the Salem witch trials, while adding realistic fiction drama in

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Reputation is the belief or opinions from others based upon your character .I s a good image more important than telling the truth? Reputation is important in the strict Puritan way of life town Salem. Public and Private moralities are equal in importance in the Crucible. Several Characters base their actions to protect their reputations.

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Miller wrote The Crucible to show cultural and political "excitement" during the communist era. John Proctor is one of Arthur most finest characters by development and personality. In the play The Crucible, Arthur Miller develops Proctor’s redemption arc with his relationships with other characters and conflicts within the town to display the idea that people who look for redemption

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As Bob Marley once said, “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.” Integrity is the quality of being honest and upholding one’s morals and principles. Living in a fast-paced and ever-changing society, human beings have come into contact with adversity and hardship all throughout history. Those who act with integrity during tough times have a major influence on those around them, and taking a stand and upholding ones’ beliefs and morals at great self sacrifice can inspire and encourage others to do the same. Arthur Miller’s 1953 play, The Crucible is a prime example of upholding integrity, and the characters within the play face difficult choices between doing

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In Arthur Miller's play, dignity and reflection of one's self plays an important role in what makes up a person's character. Through John Proctor's actions and words, Miller's element of tragedy that emphasizes laying down one's life for personal dignity is demonstrated in The Crucible as people will go any extent to accomplish their desires and fight for their beliefs, despite the consequences because they are trying to protect who they are. Tragedy lies within

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Goodness and nobility is determined by an individual’s morality and their willingness to follow a virtuous path in their life. It is also determined by the ability of an individual to acknowledge their shortcomings and become more self-aware. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John Proctor is a good man as he showcases righteous morals and principles. This is shown, as he ends his affair with Abigail, protects his wife and his friends’ wives, and dies to preserve his integrity and honour. First, John Proctor shows his goodness, by refusing the physical advances of Abigail, who wishes to continue their love affair.

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Living in a society where motivations are what infuences our day-to-day actions, it shows the importance of an individual’s motivations to how they react to situations. The Crucible, an allegorical play by Arthur Miller, delves into how motivations influences how an individual reacts to the situation they are faced with. In the play, we are shown how multiple characters’ motivations influenced their actions. Parris, one of the characters in the play, is portrayed as someone who would do anything in order to keep his name clear of any allegation. While other characters could not bare the guilt of doing anything horrible to clear their names.

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In Arthur Miller’s dramatic play The Crucible, John Proctor, the protagonist, symbolized truth and justice by displaying honor and pride in his name. The change in balance between those two attributes acted as a catalyst in defining moments of the play. In the beginning, Proctor equally reflected both pride and honor in separate events. However, when forced to make a decision, he chose honor over pride. Ultimately, both his honor and pride pushed him to commit the ultimate sacrifice.

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Cruelty is a recurrent theme in literature that often acts as a critical factor in a novel’s development. In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, the occurrence of cruelty is seen to be gradually increasing as the story goes on from accusations of witchcraft that lead into chaos and death. Through Miller’s depiction of the merciless accusations and murders of innocent people, cruelty reveals a high extent of people’s animosity and vengeance that is greatly influenced by the attitude of the surrounding atmosphere. The accusations first began when the girls who were caught “dancing” in the forest were under pressure to confess what they were truly doing.

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Our countless endeavors, whether wrong or right, tend to just how much someone values their self-worth. We humans are naturally built to muse upon how others think of us, and this is the basis for our self-conscious pursuit for our reputation and identity. No where is this more apparent in The Crucible. The play, The Crucible, is a homage to many themes, as it dives into the story of The Salem Witch Trial. Preserving one’s reputation is a theme exemplified heavily in the book, as almost every character struggles with their identity, which in turn, affects their decisions.

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