The Crucible Essay Prompt 2: John Proctor
Written in 1952, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, follows the puritan people living in the town of Salem, Massachusetts during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. During the Salem Witch Trials, many people were hung and persecuted as they were believed to be involved with witchcraft and the Devil himself. John Proctor, a man seen differently by the people in the community, somehow became accountable for all acts of witchcraft in the puritan town of Salem.
After John Proctor confessed to adultery with a 17 year old girl, he was considered sinful, yet he continued to stand up for what he believed in and remained strong and selfless even at his worst. In the puritan religion, adultery was looked down
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Proctor is seen as an honorable man as he cherished his name and was willing to take the most extreme measures, even death, if it meant keeping his good name. After being accused of witchcraft, Proctor is brought into the courthouse. He verbally confessed to practicing witchcraft, but when asked by Deputy Danforth to sign a document confirming his confession, he refuses. When questioned about his refusal he says “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!" (133). Proctor does not want his family to know him for this sinful act as he believes a man’s good name is all he has to give to his children. As Proctor continues to refuse the signing of the paper, Deputy Danforth gives him the option to save his life by naming others of the town who practice witchcraft. Knowing that he has already sinned and confessed to adultery, Proctor chooses not to name the people in the town and is hung. Proctor dies an honest, modest, and selfless