The Crucible, the playwright written by Arthur Miller that was also the recipient of the 1953 Tony for Best Play, truly illustrates how petrified people were over the Red Scare. Accusing one of witchcraft was a very serious offence that could result in fatal consequences. Some would argue that the witchcraft accusations throughout the play all lead back to one man, John Proctor. If John Proctor had not performed some shameful acts, then it is in fact debatable whether or not he is to blame for the starting of the witchcraft accusations. One question comes to mind when thinking of this, is John Proctor a good man or a bad man? Well, due to the fact that it is human nature to learn from your mistakes no matter the severity of it, John Proctor …show more content…
Proctor’s time did come to an end in The Crucible. He may have died, but he went out an honest man. When it came to signing his testimony, John Proctor was very hesitant. Why did he need to sign a piece of paper when everyone just witnessed his confession? One would not think twice about signing that piece of paper that determined whether or not one was going to live or die. John Proctor, felt very differently. Just as Mr. Danforth was about to take the paper, John Proctor snatches it away from him (1271). When Mr. Proctor asked why he needed to sign the paper, Mr. Danforth said that it was proof for the village. John Proctor replied by saying that he confesses to God and that should be enough. Mr. Proctor then goes on by saying that he wants his children to learn to not sell out their friends, and that he would prefer to have Mr. Danforth tell the village himself and exaggerate what happened in court if he must. John Proctor wants one thing and one thing only; to protect is his name for the sake of himself and his children. Mr. Danforth does not understand why John Proctor wants to deny the confession when he is free. John Proctor justifies his decision by saying that he means to deny nothing and later says how he does not want his name associated with lies. Finally, when Mr. Danforth asks John Proctor which way he chooses to go, Mr. Proctor tears up the piece of paper that has the power to save his life based on one thing; his signature
piece of evidence. Which cause the court wanting to obtain confessions from the people in prison as well as John Proctor in order for the people to not rebel against the trails because the people in the prisons were well respected in the community. Proctor chose not to confess to the court at first due to his name being important to him as well as it would have been a lie which would have made him to self condemning himself. But Proctor decides to confess his adultery with Abigail to prove the
Why does John Proctor change his mind and tear up the confession? John had a wife, he had just found out she was pregnant, and he was an utmost righteous man. He had no intentions on hurting his family or signing off that he had committed witchcraft. Giving up his name was the last thing he’d do. Signing the confession would have meant John was lying in order to save himself, there’s no justice in that. He had already lost everything; his home, his family, his town, but his name was the only thing
The play The Crucible by Arthur Miller is set in Salem during the infamous witch trials. Near the end of the play, the protagonist, John Proctor, is in detained on suspicion of witchcraft. During his imprisonment, John Proctor is given an ultimatum—confess to witchcraft, or be hanged. While he originally intends to confess the sin he has not committed, he becomes resolute against it because he cannot, in good conscience, lie, and therefore sacrifice his character. Furthermore, he cannot betray
The Crucible John Proctor’s Confessions I am going to write a essay on The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Throughout the play, John Proctor makes three important confessions. First one being when he told his wife he cheated on her with Abigail, second one is when he confesses he committed lechery in court, and the last one being that he confessed that he was a witch. The first confession was made to get back together with his wife. The second was to expose Abigail Williams for what she has done. And
John Proctor changes his mind and tears up the confession because like in the act III when he tries to get mary warren to confess because god hates all liers. The other reason he would tear up the confession because if he let rebecca nurse go to the gallows herself after he sign the confession the people who are left in town would call him a coward. Another reason he tore it up was Elizabeth Proctor his wife with her perspective and false hope that it will be alright. Danforth had a hand in this
John Proctor faces many difficult situations but is very skilled of getting out of them except in Act IV when he is accused of witchcraft and confesses but still ends up being hanged. In Act IV, John Proctor is faced with the difficult decision to confess to witchcraft and live or do not confess and be hanged. Proctor ultimately chooses to die because he does not want to sign the confession. Also, one of the influences in his decision is his belief that if he signs the confession he will lose the
The Impact of John Proctor’s Confessions Vanity is a human instinct, we want to be seen as great people. This is the reason admitting your wrongdoings is difficult because it may change your appearance in the community. In the famous tragedy, The Crucible, by playwright Arthur Miller, there are many unfair trials, thus, false confessions play a large role. The Crucible is a play based on the Salem witch trials, where individuals are falsely accused of witchcraft and are brought in front of strict
John Proctor is a man of honor.He signs the confession to save not only his god name but his soul. He has confessed on his affair with Abigail which robs him of his name. His wife was arrested because of the scandal which he feels sins his Christian soul. John Proctor then rips the signed confession to redeem himself in many ways. One Reason why Proctor rips the confession is to not just reclaim his good name but to prevent others from dealing in witchcraft which will use proctor as an example
life, and have to make the right choice. John Proctor is faced with a difficult situation that affected his life forever. In the Crucible by Arthur Miller John Proctor shows great pride and bravery when he tears up the ticket to save his own life. Proctor changes his mind at the end of the play and decides to die being true to himself and God. First, John Proctor is given the chance to save his own life. When Proctor is being forced to sign a written confession, he has a sudden change of heart. Instead
door, as though to hold back his fate. Proctor! Proctor!’ the Author, Arthur Miller took the definition one step further: you shouldn’t care what others think and do the right thing”. John Proctor reputation with god shows how of a good man he is John Proctor is a sinner and a sinner are against their moral fashion and vision of decent, but the only thing that matters to a sinner is that they have understanding with god. When John Proctor toured up the confession to save his reputation with god and
is more valuable than money,” and John Proctor, who respects his reputation, would very much agree with this statement. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the characters go through inner alterations of their character and motives. John Proctor shows that he has developed internal changes throughout the plot of The Crucible. Proctor’s main concern remains his reputation but it shifts from how the others in the village view him to how he views himself. John Proctor has high worth in his reputation.
John Proctor, the protagonist to Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, struggles with the events going on in Salem, Massachusetts. Witch trials have been taking place and had been causing the great ruination of the people and the government within this Puritan society. In this play, John Proctor gets accused of witchcraft. Reverend Hale insisted that John confess so that he may live, but Proctor had a different notion to the situation. John Proctor would rather hang due to his excessive pride, nobility,
Neither did John Proctor. In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, the story takes place in Salem, Massachusetts during the 1600s. John Proctor commits the sin of infidelity and has an affair with young Abigail Williams. Abigail became jealous of John's wife, Elizabeth, and wanted to kill her. This put John in a very uncomfortable position. His flaws of pride, guilt, and unfaithfulness bereft him of his life. John Proctor's prideful nature is demonstrated throughout the play. In Act Four, John is faking
of Salem lied to protect themselves or others. This also happens in everyday life and is a common issue that can be shown through false confession. The Crucible has shown many ways of how this theme is influenced in the real world. The two main situations from the play that show this theme of lying for self-freedom or the freedom of others involves John Proctor and Abigail Williams. Abigail Williams is a main antagonist that shows the personality of being vengeful, selfish, manipulative, and a
townspeople during the witch trials, specifically John Proctor. Reverend Hale felt as if though John’s trial results in his death, it will be at his discretion for not fighting for rightful justification of John. With the actions of Reverend Hale, Miller emulates corruption in the outcomes of the witch trials. Hale knows that John is innocent, meaning that he is going to fight to spare his life. It is evident that Hale feels the system fails Proctor. By having John confess, he spares his life rather than