Elizabeth Proctor In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

The Crucible is a story written in 1952 and is a story filled with lies and betrayal. Characters are constantly trying to save themselves from the cruel death of taking responsibility for their actions. While reading the story, I thought my favorite character was completely underrated. Elizabeth Proctor is good, moral, upright, composed and steadfast. Elizabeth’s hatred for Abigail Williams, for the affair with her husband John Proctor is understandable. My defense on Elizabeth is that she was mainly trying to protect her husband. She pleads to the judge that her husband is a good man. “Do what you will. But let none be your judge. There be no higher judge, under heaven than proctor is! Forgive me, forgive me John-I never knew such goodness in the world!” (Miller 1353). She has always loved her husband and is very loyal and respectful to him.

She goes throughout the book knowing John had an affair with Abigail. Yet she still chooses to love and forgive him. While in trial Danforth asks Elizabeth, “Then he did not turn from you.” Elizabeth exclaims, “No, sir” (Miller 1335). Knowing that John did have an affair she did lie in court so she could save John’s reputation, this proves she is forgiving. Elizabeth also babbled, “I cannot judge you, John” (Miller 1352).

With Elizabeth’s religious beliefs, there is no way she could be accused of witchcraft. As Elizabeth was talking to Hale, she mentioned “I cannot think the devil may own a woman’s soul, Mr. Hale, when she keeps an upright way, as i have. I am a good woman, I know it; and if you believe I may do only good work in the world, and yet be secretly bound to Satan, then I must tell you, sir, I do not believe it” (Miller 1303).

In the beginning of the play Elizabeth, was talking to John and he found out that Elizabeth had fired Abigail. Many of you think she was being too hard or too selfish. When in fact, Elizabeth did it to protect her marriage with