Character Analysis Of John Proctor

John Proctor’s decision to die for his name was the wrong one because despite his attempt to die an honest man, his name would remain tainted by his sinful affair regardless of whether he decided to live or die. The reality of Proctor’s decision is that he abandoned his wife, their three sons, and their unborn child for an ultimately futile act of self-sacrifice made for the approval of the townspeople. Throughout the course of the book, Proctor’s guilt from his affair with Abigail continuously guides his decisions and the moment it came time to decide whether to confess and live or maintain his innocence and hang was no different. Proctor decided that he would rather die than taint his name, but this decision stems from the guilt which constantly

John Proctor’s ability to overcome his tragic flaw by admitting his sin to the court without any regard for repercussion. This mistake included him committing adultery with Abigail Williams. Due to this event, external struggles between Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Proctor were created. Abigail mistakes John Proctor’s sex for true love, and wanted John to leave Elizabeth and marry her. However; John realized his mistake and told Abigail that their relationship would no longer exist. After hearing what John said, Abigail became angry and disheartened, but she is still convinced that she can be with Proctor one day. Her believing this

Many men don't think things through before acting, so it is believed John Proctor was an impulsive character throughout the story. "You can play brand new to all the other chicks out here- but I know what you are". John Proctor did what he felt was right by having an affair with Abigail but he wasn't thinkingof the concequences. Elizabeth knew all along and acted different around her husband. The outcome of John Proctors choices turned out to be a horrible mistake since his reputation and life were put on

“Proctor: with a cry of his whole soul, 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! (281-294)”. John told the truth throughout the whole novel, but he battled with his dignity because he didn't want to be known as a liar. He would rather have taken the death penalty, which he did. John was trying to free his wife who was innocent but Abigail hated her because Elizabeth had what she wanted. Elizabeth was John’s love, who Abigail was jealous of. Abigail thought that by getting Elizabeth to go to jail, she could have John. When Abigail finds out that John still loves his wife and tried standing up for her, she was not

“As a general rule . . . the tragic feeling is evoked in us when we are in the presence of a character who is ready to lay down his life, if need be, to secure one thing-his sense of personal dignity” (“Tragedy”). Miller, the author of the Crucible and the Tragedy and the Common Man, said these words to prove that a tragic play is not meant to be pessimistic, but more optimistic. In The Crucible, John Proctor, a farmer that proves to be the protagonist, goes through a dramatic change throughout the play; learning to forgive himself for his flaws, and in the end to have pride and stand up for what is right.

Many people think that John Proctor was a shame of a husband because of the affair he had with Abigail Williams. I agree, his decision to have an affair with Abigail was a despicable thing to do, especially for his wife Elizabeth. John

The consequences of shirking accountability for ones actions are depicted through the tribulations John Proctor faced, in Arthur Miller's, The Crucible. Although John reluctantly became involved in the Salem witch trials, his initial silence proved to be the downfall of not only himself, but of his fellow townspeople as well. John Proctor remained silent for one reason, and that was to protect himself. As a result of his self-serving desires to avoid the consequences of his actions, innocent citizens were put to death.

John Proctor is a character that I truly hold close to my heart because our life experiences are very similar. He admits his wrongs, he is strong in his beliefs, and he is able to withstand temptation. I believe John Proctor is such a strong person inside and out because he has been through a lot and never gives up on his faith in God.

People’s true character is revealed through their actions. Their morals and ethics can be told from how they choose to act in a situation. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible; the character of John Proctor is an honorable man despite having committed wrongful acts. He was able to redeem himself through acts that is considered courageous, such as when he refuses to contribute to the lie of witchcraft in Salem, when he fights for the people who were convicted of witchcraft and when he regrets being a dishonest man.

John Proctor is a very friendly man. Everyone likes being his friend. He is open, kind, helpful, upright, blunt-spoken, and just a good, hard-working man. John has lots of faith in God but little in humans. He knows that mankind is good but he also knows that they are weak and imperfect. “Proctor: I’ve heard you to be a sensible man, Mr. Hale. I hope you’ll leave some of it in Salem”.

Before the play took place John had an affair with Abigail but, when push came to shove he confessed it to the court. While he was trying to prove the legitimacy of Abigail and show the court that she is not as authentic as they first believed. John tells the court, “I have known her.” (Miller 110). By doing this, he has honor and integrity because of the difficulties in revealing it to the court; while knowing the crimes for lechery. Near the end of the book when push came to shove John was faced with a decision: to have honor/integrity and die, or to lie, betray your friends and live to fight another day; he chose death. After tearing the confession he just wrote he cries, “I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor.” (Miller 144). In saying this, it takes an enormous amount of integrity to be willing to die to stand up for the truth. He does this because he is honorable and willing to die for something he believes in. John was honorable even though he once made a mistake by cheating with Abigail; he had an opportunity to make up for it, and he did. When Abigail is trying to convince John to come to her and that they still loved each other and it was okay to do so, John responds, “but we did not.” (Miller 23). By responding this way he is clearly trying to cut it off and regain some of that honor that he once had. He does this because he remembers how his wife feels about what he did and that by

Another inner quality that defines John Proctor is the value he holds to his good name. Proctor is a firm believer in the fact that one’s name is the only thing that remains after death, and what is done with it while living can affect one’s posterity for generations. This is the driving force behind his actions in the final act of the play. At first, he felt no shame in lying to the court about his accusation of witchcraft because he felt there was no more damage he could do to his reputation and that one more sin would not make any difference. His attitude changed when he realized his confession would mean blackening the name of those who already had died, and his sons would have to live with that mark on their names. He knew he could not teach his sons “. . . to walk like

Throughout The Crucible, John Proctor showed immense courage when he stuck to his beliefs. In Act 3, John Proctor confesses to the court his affair with Abigail Williams because he doesn’t want his wife being accused of witchcraft. He further explains Abigail’s plan to kill his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, and dance with him on her grave. (Miller 873). When Proctor calls Abigail a whore, he gives the court an opportunity to end the trials. Additionally, John faces the ultimate test when he has to sign the document that would keep him alive. Proctor is unable to lie, so he shouts, “ Because it is my name!..Because I lie and sign myself to lies” (Miller 886). His action of ripping up the document further represents Proctor’s integrity and courage. Proctor knows he will never forgive himself if he agrees to confess. He chooses to be hanged over living the remaining of his life on a lie. Proctor refuses to name others and tears up the document. Overall in The Crucible, John Proctor is a firm believer in the fact that one’s name is the only thing that stays after death.

As John Proctor spends more time with Abigail Williams, he realizes that he is not the remarkable upstanding man that he thought he was. Proctor’s character emerges as the protagonist in the play the most the audience gets to know him. In the beginning, Proctor’s name is synonymous with integrity and respect. It is evident that other characters respect him and his opinions. When Abigail is not hired to help in another home since Goody Proctor has fired her, her uncle asks, “Abigail, is there any other cause than you have told me, for Goody Proctor dischargin’ you? It has troubled me that you are now seven months out of their house, and in all this time no other family has called for your service” (Miller 2). Reverend Parris is concerned that Abigail has not been hired because the Proctor’s do not believe she is

The two characters John Proctor and Abigail portray contrast between the characteristics of fear/courage. When Abigail and her friends are caught dancing in the woods with animal blood and children, she is scared. She begins pointing fingers at others to distract from her own faults. This shows that Abigail is a coward for not accepting her own mistakes. Out of fear of losing what she has with John she begins to blame his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, of witchcraft. She blames Elizabeth and hopes to get her out of her life so she can be with John. Her fear caused her to see no other option but to run away. Parris says, “Mark it, sir, Abigail had close knowledge of the town, and since the news of Andover had broken here-”(Miller 127). Throughout the play John Proctor shows an extreme amount of courage. He confesses to having an affair with Abigail in order to save his wife's life. He speaks up to Reverend Parris even though no one has the guts to. He chooses to be hanged rather than living in shame with his name on the church door. “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 fet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given my soul; leave me my name!”(Miller 143) Proctor sacrifices his good name