In The Crucible Arthur Miller paints John Proctor to be a lecherous man. In act one Proctor and Abigail are speaking somewhat hastily when proctor says,"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"(Miller 23). This is where the reader really gets a glimpse of who John Proctor really is, he is a man who has cheated on his wife with a teenage girl. This a problem now, but in the 1600s this was unheard of.
“Because it is my name...you have taken my soul...leave me my name!” (Arthur Miller Act 4 Line 724) John Proctor ,from the Crucible by Arthur Miller, is driven by a will stronger than most, says this in the face of death. At this point many trials have pushed Proctor to question his own morals and help shine light on his true personality. The trial that began to make Proctor question his very being, is when he sees Abigail alone. Another ship that pushes him forward through an ocean of self doubt is when he goes to court to free the convicted. Additionally, a court that trials his own being is when he decides to tear up the confession.
Proctor values his life but, he does not want to be remembered as a liar who is willing to do whatever it takes for his own life. Also, Proctor is thinks about his children. He does not want to be a bad role model for their children. During the scene where Proctor had the choice to confess, “Proctor tears the paper and crumples it and he is weeping in fury, but erect”(133). Proctor tears the confession paper because he realizes that honor is more important.
Is John Proctor a good man? From the very beginning of The Crucible, he has shown himself to be a charismatic and powerful man who is not afraid to state what is on his mind. These traits would make him out to be a righteous man to question the motives of those who accuse others of witchcraft. But his affair with the young Abigail Williams taints him because of the facts that he is hypocritical over the same sin he committed. However, in the end, John Proctor proves to be a good man with pure intentions... What is the measure of a good person?
These actions involve several important characteristics in heroes, but not the most important characteristic: honesty. Being honest in a situation where one’s life might be on the line is something that is hard for the average person to accomplish. Proctor exhibits this honesty when he is given the opportunity to save himself from being hung by telling a lie, but instead he rips up his lie and shows everyone that he has the capability to do the right thing: “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 in John Proctor” (Miller 1333).
When John Proctor confesses, his actions prove a huge weakness John Proctor has. However, his actions of confessing result in a strength. His actions prove a sense of self- dignity. The court of Salem wants John Proctor to show proof to the village that he has confessed. The opening quote in the introduction explains his powerful mindset towards the end of his trial.
Because John cannot seem to remember his ten commandments while Hale is questioning him, “he is stuck. He counts back on his fingers, knowing one is missing” (67). Proctor is purposely trying to stall because he does not want to state the commandment about committing adultery. Nevertheless, John did have an affair with Abigail, but he does not want Hale to know because he fears he will be seen as a bad man. The seemingly amiable, Christian man does not want to have his honorable reputation taken away.
John Proctor shows how dishonorable of a man he really is when he acts very harshly and mean to all the other character throughout the play. This quote from John Proctor really shows his harshness because he acts very forceful and pushy towards Abigail without giving her a chance to respond or give her take on the situation. He says he will ruin her life and he takes things a little too far, showing how harsh he is, proving his dishonor once again. John Proctor speaks very harshly about Abigail to Danforth to protect his wife. He is trying to prove his wife innocent, but it was
Going on with the courtroom case at this point John Proctor didn’t want tell anyone about his adultery even to the point of him wanted to forget about it. Knowing that he and his friends are losing the result to his final hand.He confess to adultery with Abigail in order to discredit her to save his wife and his friends wife. Even with this act not working his willingness to confess of his adultery in front of the court, friends, and Judge Danforth took courage and shows his willing to sacrifice his name to save the people he cares about. In conclusion John Proctor final act was believable to what his character stands for. His refusal to accept the deal that Danforth made so have his wife could live for a year.
He is arrogant and has high authority. He fails to examine evidence critically or to act when he could to stop the hysteria. Even at the end, when it’s obvious that the society is disintegrating, he refuses to see the role that the witchcraft trials and hangings have played in it. He jails and sentences many to death for refusing to ‘admit’ that they were witches. He encourages Proctor to sign the testimony even though he knows it is a lie shows how truly bad he is as he says ‘Come then, sign your testimony’ Protagonist: John Proctor he’s a protagonist is related to Proctor 's choice to take a high moral ground at the end and die rather than lying to save himself—this shows a change of character in Proctor.