The Character Of John Proctor And John Hale In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

“Just because your pain is understandable, doesn’t mean your behavior is acceptable” (Maraboli). Pain and fear can either strengthen or destroy the character of a person. John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor and John Hale are three evident characters from The Crucible by Arthur Miller who faced hardship and predicaments that metamorphosed their character. John Proctor, a lonely farm boy stuck in a 30 year old’s body, tries to fix his past with his wife and in the end does what he comprehends as moral. Elizabeth Proctor, a self-conscious, resentful, insecure woman, has to forgive the man that hurt her but has to first forgive herself. John Hale is a witch hunter, know-it-all who discovers he is not always correct and is going to make up for his mistakes.

John recovers from his past mistakes, but is difficult when Abby continues to nag at him for his love. He tells her, “Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby” (22). He is struggling with himself on how he can move on and wants Abby out of his life completely to do it. John knows what he did was wrong and wants to make up for it after his wife, he still loves, is taken for being a witch. Angrily screaming at Mary Warren, “My wife will never die for me! I will bring your guts into your mouth but that goodness will not die for me!” (76). As much as John wants to hide what he did he will do anything in his power to save his wife even if that means his reputation is ruined. John is at court to save his wife and becomes accused of witchcraft, but decides to die with the truth than live telling a lie. When close to hanging he says, “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 is John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs. Give them no tear! Tears pleasure them! Show honor now, show a stony heart and sink them with it!” (133). John Proctor holds such regret and loss of self he sacrifices himself for what he knows false in order for others to know the