Heroic Characters In The Crucible

Rather then acknowledging that they didn’t understand events. They said it was the devils work acting through someone in town. For example Abigail’s accusions were all just games to her but it forced people to have to choose death or not going to heaven for lieing. Many people wouldn’t confess, in fear of abandoning their friends, like when John Proctor was forced to sign a confession. After everything was said and done, Abigail left town and never had to face up to what she did to many innocent people.

Neither he nor his wife would admit to his lechery in the aforementioned questioning, their reputation would be destroyed, even if it meant that the truth was shown. In Act Two, John has an outburst at his wife’s arrest, seeing as it would deface his family name saying to the court officials, “God will not let you wash your hands of this!”(204). Proctor blamed the court for his family legacy being ruined. In the last scene of the play, Proctor perfectly sums up the importance of the legacy behind the name. Proctor cries out, “I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” (240).

Although, Giles Corey was accused he refused to admit nor deny being a part of witchcraft resulting in a harsh punishment. An example from the play “He would not answer aye or nay to his indictment; for if he denied the charge they’d hang him surely, and auction out his property. So he stand mute, and died Christian under the law. And so his sons will have his farm.” (135) this shows Giles denied the choices to keep his land so his sons would not lose their home. Finally, through John Proctor tries to tell the truth about Abigale and the girls, Elizabeth Proctor supporting her husband choice even though they have children to raise, and Giles Corey rather be pressed than lie about being a part of witchcraft it is clear the fundamental subject is courage.

His own crucible starts when he first wonders what his wife and is reading and why she hides it from. Later in the story she gets arrested for witchcraft and Giles sort of blames himself for that. In the last part of the book Corey is questioned about who else he knows that is involved with witchcraft and if he is involved with witchcraft. The authorities try and torture the information out of him but like the quote said he did not talk he stayed mute. Giles life is put on the line between life and his faith.

John Proctor, a character from The Crucible is a Rebel/Misfit Archetype. A Rebel/Misfit is defined as a character that radically rejects the values of a society and the restrictions placed on him or her. I chose to do my research project on John because Proctor is my favorite character from The Crucible and throughout the whole book he was feeling guilty for his actions but wanted to do the right thing. Proctor can also fit into the Hero Archetype for sacrificing his life to save his wife. Back in the 1690s, not going to church every Sunday was a sin and could be punishable by death.

In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John Proctor was accused of witchcraft. John Proctor was a man of great integrity and knew he did nothing wrong. He was given the choice to confess and lie or be hung. Being the honest and stubborn man that he was, he decided his name was more important than his life. John struggled both internally and with others while trying to fight for what he thought was right.

This is because Danforth’s rule throughout these trials were that if someone was accused of witchcraft, even if they were innocent they had to confess or they were sentenced to death. An example of this is when John Procter is accused he had to confess or he would have been hanged and when he confessed it was not enough for Danforth. Danforth wanted Proctor to sign a confession “Come then, sign your testimony” (cite). He says this even though Procter has made it obvious that he is confessing to a crime he did not commit. Danforth does not care about this though he only wants Procter to confess to secure his own reputation and so his authority does not go into question.

Mary was afraid of Abigail Williams and didn’t tell the truth fearing that Abigail would hurt her. While, she developed as a character and made better choices for herself. Acts 3 and 4 she attempted to help John try to accuse Abigail Williams of lying about witchcraft in the court. “I-I promise you, Mr.Danforth, I only thought I saw them but I did not’.”(Miller 100). At that point in time Mary Warren and John Proctor both tried to prove Abigail Williams and the other girls of faking it until, act 4 when she backstabbed John Proctor and made her own claim that John Proctor was satan.”You’re the devil’s man.” (Miller 110).

Situational irony is created in the text through Proctor reciting “ thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image… You have said that twice, sir… Adultery, John”(Miller.II.12.). This is an example of Situational Irony because the only commandment Proctor couldn’t remember is the one he broke. Proctor’s inability to remember his commandments causes the community to question his faithfulness to his religion and in return creates conflict later in the trials when people question his judgment and accuse him of witchcraft. Dramatic irony is created in the text through Danforth asking “Why did you dismiss Abigail Williams?”, and Elizabeth responding “She - dissatisfied me”(Miller.III.18.). This is an example of Dramatic Irony because the reader already knows that John has confessed to adultery, but Elizabeth doesn't so she lies in hopes of protecting his reputation.

(...) Elizabeth I have confessed it! Elizabeth: Oh, God (...) Proctor: She only thought to save my name” (miller 113) In the scene Danforth asks Elizabeth is john had ever committed adultery. Elizabeth lied to the court that John was not a lecher, when she clearly knew he was a lecher. This lie was Elizabeth’s first lie and it was to save her husband's name. She said it “faintly” as if she felt bad for] but still said it to save her husband.