As the trials progress, John Proctor still shows his persistent opinion to keep the good of his name intact. The protagonist proves this in a tense moment in the trials by claiming, “I have confessed myself! God does not need my name nailed upon the church!” (IV. 274). This emotional monologue by Proctor shows how strongly he thinks of himself and his reputation. In this moment, he does not want the rest of the community to think poorly of his name. Proctor’s character continues to grow as the trials take over the small town of Salem. John Proctor then was forced to make an impossible decision about his fate and honor. In his grand act of selflessness, he made the choice to die rather than falsely confess to witchcraft. Before this display
He was, later in the story, accused of witchcraft by Abigail Williams. While Proctor tried to clear his name, he eventually gave up and confessed to save his own life. If Proctor had been willing to sacrifice himself for the truth, he could have helped to end the hysteria in Salem.
Proctor's decision to confess to being a witch, despite knowing it was a lie, also played a role in his death. He hoped that by confessing,
The court wishes to nail the confession the church door. But the strength of Mr. Proctor’s pride overwhelms them. Proctor doesn’t allow the court nail the confession to the public for the sake of his name. “Because it is my name! Because I can not have another in my life.”
Proctor: I did not” ( Miller 129-130). John Proctor shows self-sacrifice by not giving up names of the others and sentencing them to death by hanging based on the accusations he could make about the practicing of witchcraft. John Proctor also shows mental strength by refusing to give Danforth names when pressured and threatened by the court and the judge. This also shows the reader how much he values his name and reputation and that he doesn’t take giving up his name lightly. He values his name because his name holds power and that it is his and his
Proctor realizes the corruption in having one's name “nailed upon the church” (4.696). He also knows that unless someone pure in the people’s eyes brought themselves to death, revival would never reach Salem. Even Parris stated that “many honest people will weep for [John], and our good purpose is lost in their tears” if they let Proctor die (4.208-10). Hale could not see that John had a purpose bigger than himself to evoke change during this dark time. Proctor sacrificed himself not to preserve his name or dodge the evils around him.
I confess to God, and God has seen my name on this! It is enough!” To Proctor, his name meant more to him than the beat of his own heart. He did not confess past that, and lost his life for it, preserving his history
Proctor believes life is not worth living if you are seen as a witch. Instead of being seen as a witch, proctor elects to die with his name intact. John Proctor shows throughout the play that he feels his reputation is of highest
I have given you my soul; leave me my name!’” (Miller 145). Although Proctor wants to live, he refuses to let his reputation be ruined by having his confession put up for the whole community to see. He knows that if he wants to live he is going to have to sacrifice his name, but even so, he is hesitant to give up his name. By putting his name up there and confessing to witchcraft, he conforms to
John Proctor was a man of honor and had a well respected name in the town of Salem. Sadly he died tragically but as a hero. He was hanged because he was accused of doing the devil’s work. He was given the chance to save his life if he admitted on a piece of paper that he was working with the devil but he refused to tell that lie. He wanted his sons to be able to walk the streets without being shunned from the world because they deserved better.
JOHN PROCTOR: TRAGIC HERO Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is a greatly revered work, and it reflected the times of America in the days of McCarthyism. Perhaps the character that connected to the audience most was John Proctor, the protagonist of the play. He reflects the mistakes that we have made in our lives, and the struggle that some of have while trying to take the blindfold off of other people. He should be considered a hero because he feels guilt, and therefore tries to make up for the fact that he once had an affair.
Life or Death: Did John Proctor Make the Right Decision? Countless people have learned about the lies and horrors of witches in 1692 during the Salem Witch trials. In The Crucible, a tragedy written by Arthur Miller, it displays the tragedy and wrongful convictions of the townsfolk of Salem. One notable character being John Proctor a well respected upperclassman in Salem who was willing to confess his sins, sacrificing his life for the greater good of his family and friends. There are many reasons people choose to do things in life whether or not they will turn out well in the end.
His act of defiance resulted in death, but caused the people of Salem to question the court, which prevents any future deaths for suspected witchery. By refusing to lie, John Proctor preserved his name and held up his personal convictions. However, some may say that this was self-serving, because he left his family destitute, and his wife husbandless and his children fatherless. Nevertheless, “How can I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!...Because It is my name!
John Proctor faces many different forms of conflict, whether it be self to self or self to society. Facing the court, Proctor gives his words and mind to try and free the ones accused. His personality and internal conflicts are arguably more intense. To be damned or forgiven by his society. The only way out of persecution is to smear his name.
He cared greatly about his family and wife even though Elizabeth was often distant towards him. In the end of the play, Proctor chooses to die rather than sign his confession, ratting out his friends and ruining his good name in the town. He did this to protect the reputation of his children so they won’t have to grow up with a lying father. Lying went against Protctors’ views and that ideal is prevalent throughout the entire play. It is revealed that as soon as he had an affair with Abigail, he confessed to Elizabeth the next day because of the guilt he was carrying around.
I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” (Miller 153). This quote truly demonstrates Proctors character as a whole, as he is willing to be hung for the sake of proving his worth to the court. Specifically, Proctor knows he is truly innocent, and wants to make the courts aware of his innocence. His unwillingness to confess to witchcraft, is because of his personal beliefs regarding reputation.