The Crucible And John Proctor's Downfall

A Tragic hero is a character who experiences a major downfall as the results of a personal mistake or the workings of fate. There are many tragic heroes in the play The Crucible, But the one that comes to mind is John Proctor for several reasons. It all starts out with the affair with Abigail, when that affair happens John Proctor breaks his wedding vows and violate the moral convictions of the community by engaging in an adultery affair with Abigail. John Proctor is a classic example of a tragic hero in the play, The Crucible for several reasons…

In Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible preserving one’s reputation is a major theme. The play takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, revolving around witch trials in 1693. In the play there are two men, John Proctor and Giles Corey, whom of which both try to protect their good name and reputation. Throughout the play they portray the idea of protecting their reputations.

Heroism among individuals often has to endue a test, which will help in determining who they are. To full decide who is a hero and who is not a hero, it shows on when individuals face a problem or hard situation or barrier along their life where the characters did not give in until their death. This situation helps in characterizing a coward person and a hero one. A coward person will quit the fight and seek other easy ways or even give up while a hero will fight will all means and courage to ensure that he/she wins. Those who are heroic are always brave, and at all time, they stand still no matter how the situation is stressing or painful. When people encounter a problem along their way of life, either they fight back, or they either give in or allow others to fight and solve the problem. Those who without any fear are the real and real heroes. In The Crucible by Miller, amount all the characters, John Proctor and Giles Corey are heroes. This study compares the bravery between these two character, both John Proctor and Giles Corey shows heroism as ethical characters, John Proctor and Giles Corey plays their role as heroes in The Crucible as they show integrity in their actions, and both and mostly Proctor is even- tempered, respected, not easily controlled and feared.

John Proctor is one of the main characters in the Crucible. He was indicted of witchcraft because of he violated the law several times. Examples that helped the church assume he was a witch was him stating that the girls who were “possessed” were liars & frauds, setting everything up to accuse other villagers of witchcraft. He also couldn’t remember the 10 commandments, didn’t attend church regularly, & apparently plowed on Sundays which was considered a high offense back then. John’s trial was extremely unequitable.

John Proctor simply does not see the point being of signing the confession that he already confessed to the members of the court. The word of the judges is already important therefore, if the village needs to be aware of Proctors confession then the judge can speak of it to whole village. As Danforth continuously asks Proctor to sign his confession, he argues that "Damn the village! I confess to God, and God has seen my name on this! It is enough!". Danforth needs concrete evidence to show the village but Proctor won't permit him to do so. Proctor himself wants to keep his name unknown from the village because that's the one thing he still contains and can't allow it to be taken away just like his life. Not only does he claim that God is well

As human beings, we each display specific traits and qualities that define our character and shape our personalities. The way in which we carry ourselves establishes our reputations, as well as how others identify us. We are each prone to making mistakes, and unfortunately, the mistakes we make can affect the way people see us as well. The struggle to regain a good name can be difficult and uncertain once someone’s reputation is tarnished. In Arthur Miller’s timeless play, The Crucible, a well-respected man named John Proctor betrays his wife and struggles to gain her forgiveness and his good name in the village of Salem. Although John Proctor betrays his wife, he

“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you--who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:12) The late 1600’s to early 1700’s was a time of much happiness as well as sorrow in the small town of Salem. one man, John Proctor, was always caught in the middle of what was going on as rumors spread that witches were in the small town. Young girls control the town and the people there live in constant fear. Proctor’s relations with one of the girls ends up causing all of this to begin, and it seems that Proctor is the only one who is trying to stop it all. He is a good man and it is shown by his perseverance, genuineness, and appearance as a Christ figure in The Crucible.

In The Crucible, Why does John Proctor change his mind and tear up the confession? What does Rebecca Nurse when she sees what john has done and confessed to?

Who committed the greater evil? Hester Prynne or John Proctor? In The Crucible, John Proctor had a wife who was extremely ill. He committed adultery with the house servant, Abigail Williams, for that reason. Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter, was a beautiful woman living without her husband. The lonesome woman had an affair with Dimmesdale, the town’s reverend. Both John Proctor and Hester Prynne both went against the Puritan beliefs. However, John Proctor is guiltier of committing adultery compared to Hester Prynne and if John Proctor were to meet Hester Prynne, he would respect her.

In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, there are three characters, John Proctor, Deputy Governor Danforth, and Reverend Parris, that all value their reputations more than others. These characters in The Crucible have vigorous feelings about how others portray their overall quality. Unfortunately, other characters in the play have to suffer for their deplorable decision making. To some people, how they will be recollected is very, very consequential to them. They would do anything to preserve their denomination. When put in a sticky situation dealing with life and death, many opt to keep their reputations rather than do what is right or preserve their lives.

Despite outspoken personality and qualities as a critical thinker, John Proctor is far from being a perfect human being. In his notes, Arthur Miller describes him as a sinner, "a sinner not only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own vision of decent conduct." (P.20) Similar to Jesus who was tempted in the desert and taunted by the pharisees, Proctor's journey is riddled with hardships. He strives to overcome them and to follow his moral compass over the course of the novel. When Abigail Morris seeks him out after being fired, he has the courage to overcome his lust and to end their relationship. He boldly claims: "I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again" (P.22) Moreover, he spends months trying to regain

As John Proctor and I enter the court, I feel beads of sweat dripping down my face. I, Mary Warren, an innocent an weak girl, will testify against Abigail Williams, my closest companion of countless years. Although this appears confusing, and rather unjust for me to do so, I deem it deserved. Abigail has altered me into a horrible person, along with forcing me to do what I despise: hurt others. I wish to release myself from her grasp and finally be right with God, which includes ending the Witch Trials.

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.

A wise philosopher named  Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “even today a crude sort of persecution is all that is required to create an honorable name for any sect, no matter how indifferent in itself.” People who are guilty of nothing spend their entire lives trying to uphold an honorable name, but depending on the circumstances they may have to sacrifice their life in order to do so.  In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, people in the town of Salem, Massachusetts are put through severe trials to see if they are guilty of practicing witchcraft. Many people are falsely accused, but decide to confess to something that they never did to save their own lives. By confessing, they are throwing away their name and reputation. John Proctor is among the many who are wrongfully accused. He must make a challenging decision whether to die honorably or to live with a slandered name that would affect his children’s future. John Proctor’s great dilemma changes throughout the course of the play because he faces having to appeal to Abigail, his wife, and the court all while attempting to uphold his respectable reputation.

Arthur Miller, the author of The Crucible, is well-known for his interpretation of a tragic hero in his other writings such as the protagonists in the Death of a Salesman and All My Sons. Miller describes a tragic hero as a male unable to deal with his actions and image. This definition contradicted other tragic heroes in novels by other authors. An example of this is F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author of The Great Gatsby. The tragic hero in that novel, Jay Gatsby, is known for his wealth, unlike John Proctor in The Crucible. John Proctor, the protagonist in Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, struggles with his guilt and attempt to regain his reputation within his community of Salem, which in the end, is his downfall.