John Proctor's Weakness In The Crucible

“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!”(1272). These words by John Proctor exemplify his character by making, in my opinion, not a very wise decision. In the play The Crucible, John Proctor’s unwillingness can be seen as selfish because others hung before he confessed his affair with Abigail but he redeemed himself by undoing his confession and refusing to sell the court other names, which Arthur Miller used to convey a message about a crucible being put through a fire/trial and coming out in its purest form, through the character of John

John Proctor’s weakness is how he contradicts himself. He constantly wavers between either strengths and weaknesses. “My honesty is broke, Elizabeth, I am no good man” (1269). In the very beginning of the play, he scolds Marry Warren for not doing her job. He also shows strength when he repelled Abigail: “ Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I ever reach for you again” (1225). Proctor was unhappy with Paris’s sermons because he did not mention God so instead of confronting him, he just stopped attending church. John Proctor has both strengths and weaknesses, but mostly weaknesses because of his decision not to

John Proctor is put through a trial just like metal is put in a crucible. The metal is melted down just like John is hung. In the end, both come out in the purest form. Proctor lived with lies, but finally confesses and not selling out his friends. He was hung at the end of the play, but his name be remembered exactly how he wanted it to be. “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!” (1273) Metaphorically speaking, Proctor was put into a crucible, melted down, and came out in the purest form possible.

John Proctor perfectly fits the role of a tragic hero because he has all the qualities of a tragic hero. John Proctor's main flaw was his excessive pride which sealed his fate. I myself felt his death transformed Salem’s ways of thinking and increased their own knowledge. Proctor's life completely started going downhill when Abigail accused John’s loved ones who then were sent to jail, or executed. John Proctor was a man of goodness and pride which cleansed his soul after he suffered a tragic death, and became a symbol of purity and greatness for others to