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John proctor tragic hero of salem
Impact of the salem witch trials
Religion in witch trials salem
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More handpicked essays just for you.
John proctor tragic hero of salem
Impact of the salem witch trials
Religion in witch trials salem
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Proctor’s Opposition to His Society In the book, The Crucible, Arthur Miller introduces us to John Proctor. Proctor is married and simple, yet he's argumentative toward his town for the persecution of “witches.” Proctor faces conflict throughout the town, his morals are challenged and his view on ethical implication are changing.
When Reverend Hale first enters the story he is depicted as someone with great knowledge and authority. Proctor tells Hale on page 185, “I’ve heard you were a sensible man, Mister Hale - I hope you’ll leave some of it in Salem.” Hale is well known to people around Salem and he is known for possessing great knowledge. The people will listen to what Hale has to say, but know that his presence means that there is suspicion of witchcraft.
Hale is persuaded by Proctor that the witchcraft scenario in Salem is just a hoax. John Proctor even brings his evidence to the court, he is now extremely determined to stop the witchcraft allegations since his wife was accused. He forces Marry Warren, his servant, to the court, who “declares her friends are lying” (44). Reverend Hale also gets involved by trying to convince Samuel Danforth, head of the court, to hear Proctor’s case. He tries to by saving Proctor’s reputation; by expressing his belief that the court cannot “judge the man on such evidence” (41) of committing small actions that goes against his religion.
Much of what happens in Salem still resembles some things we see in society today. The word of one man can change people’s ideas and images of another without conclusive evidence. What people fear the most can sometimes bind us together, even if it is not
Reverend Hale and Judge Danforth are two authoritative figures in The Crucible whose roles in society are to lead the community in the ways and likeness of God so that the people of Salem can, basically, be good Puritans. Despite their similar intentions, there are also blaring differences which distinctly separate the two and their beliefs. To start, both Hale and Danforth work chiefly to serve God and lead his people on Earth to live holy and just lives. When the question of the Devil and witchcraft arise within Salem, both men come to investigate and cleanse the town of evil. While Judge Danforth considers himself “a minister of the Lord” and does “not take a life without there be proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience
In Salem, having a good reputation is extremely important. You are accepted by society, and if you don’t have a good reputation you will be completely rejected. John Proctor would no longer be thought of an honorably straight and moral person. Reverend Parris would lose all of his respect and not be accepted by the citizens. And Judge Danforth would always be questioned and looked bad upon for accusing the innocent.
The Salem Village is described as a theocracy. The narrator describes the village, “Salem developed a theocracy, a combine of state and religious power whose function was to keep the community together, and to prevent any kind of disunity that might open it to destruction by material or ideological enemies” (1101). So, the village’s system is that God was the true leader of society, which complicates scenarios in the play. Since the town views everything from God’s perspective, they soon go on a wild goose hunt for witches, which they assume is the root of all of the town’s problems. Reverend Parris is a very concerned character who wants to defend anything negative that could be said about him or his family.
I find it hard to draw a clear opinion of them that come accused before the court” (Miller 63). Hale knows that his current role in Salem is to fathom the mystery of who is an accomplice to the devil. At first Hale listened to every tip the people of Salem gave him regardless of who it was coming from, but looking back at his decisions, he is regretful. Hale enlightens Thomas Danforth, the judge, about his new way of thinking about the pressing superstition. Hale explains he is “a minister of the Lord” and will not “take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it” (Miller 99).
Reverend Hale, who enters Salem very confident of his greatness in discerning spirits, realizes he has caused irreparable damage. In order to right one of his many wrongs, he wishes for Elizabeth Proctor to convince John Proctor to sign a false confession in order to save his life. If John does not confess then he will hang and Hale will feel more guilt knowing Proctor is innocent. He has returned to try to convince the convicted to lie and confess to witchcraft in order to save their own lives because he now believes that lying is better than giving up one's life for no other reason than one's pride. He says in front of Elizabeth and Hathorne that he has arrived to save those who are blamed for witchcraft.
The theocracy in Salem was essential to a Puritan society where everything was subject to spiritual scrutiny and enabled individuals like Parris to assume power over the village. This entitlement also allowed for greater consolidation of power through persecutions and trials where the defendants were often guilty until proven innocent. Like most Puritans, Danforth remains convinced of the reality of witchcraft testified by Abigail in Act Three, an act integrated with immense dramatic irony. Despite the persuasion of Hale who once held substantial power over the town with as the Puritan pastor of Beverly, Danforth is quick to imprison and condemn a suspect to death demonstrating the powerplay in Salem as orchestrated by Abigail and the girls
Reverend Parris, Deputy Governor Danforth, and Reverend Hale’s desire for Proctor’s confession demonstrates their need to keep up their reputations and the well-being of the citizens of Salem. A motive for Proctor’s confession is for Reverend Parris and Danforth’s reputations to be upheld and avoid a rebellion of the townspeople against the court and leaders. Parris fears that if Proctor is to be hanged, then the town will attempt to overthrow the court for it’s dishonesty and rebel against him. Danforth’s beliefs are similar to Parris’: if Proctor does not confess, then his reputation of holding up an honest and valid court would be ruined.
The witches are on the hunt for the innocent souls of Salem with Hale stating, “The Devil is alive in Salem, and we dare not quail to follow wherever the accusing finger points” (Miller 1251). Hale is determined to use God’s mighty hand against the “evil witches”. This shows that Hale is faithful to Abigail’s accusations against the common people of Salem. At first, Reverend Hale is eager to prosecute, but as more innocent people are condemned, his compliance turns into distaste. His dissatisfaction eventually turns into rage when Hale shouts, “I denounce these proceedings!”
In a setting of Salem, Massachusetts 1692, religion is the direct reflection of one's social standing. Reputation is extremely important for the town, as it is your only way to get a fair hearing and respect from the people. The protectiveness of reputation is necessary in The Crucible to justify yourself when presented with fallacious arguments. In this play the importance of reputation is revealed though the uses of ethos, logos and pathos. The protectiveness of reputation is uncovered through various characters such as Reverend Hale, Reverend Parris, and John Proctor.
However, when they are all brought into a deadly situation, they all rather keep their good reputation then saving their own lives or doing the correct thing. This show how a good reputation is important in Salem where social position is tied to one’s abilities to follow religious
In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, living in a strict, religious society had life or death consequences for many people. Prior to the witch trials, Salem is a pious town with equally pious citizens. However, with the excitement that the trials cause, the people prove themselves to be as religious and respectable as a tax collector would have been. Most of the high-status members of