John Proctor The Crucible Essay
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once said, "Definition of a tragedy: a hero destroyed by the excess of his virtues". The reader finds this statement to resonate with the character, John Proctor, in Arthur Miller’s play, "The Crucible". Arthur Miller, a talented American playwright, wrote "The Crucible" in 1953. The play is used as an allegory to criticize Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist investigations during the McCarthyism era. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, during the Salem witch trials of the 17th century, this play delves into many themes and characteristics, including mass hysteria, greed, and hysteria. However, the play implements many literary devices of what makes a tragic hero, specifically with protagonist John Proctor. …show more content…
After his months spent in the dungeon with no confession, the morning of John’s execution arrived. The morning of his execution, he encountered a visit between judges Danforth and Hawthorne, Reverend Samuel Parris, and Hale. During this encounter, all four men except Hale were trying to get John to sign his confession of witchcraft because if he did, this news would galvanize the town of Salem because John is a very respected figure in town. The reader notices this when Hathorne says, “God be Praised! It is a providence! He will confess! Proctor will confess!” (Miller 127). Proctor did end up confessing since he wanted to live and see his boys grow up, as well as be with Elizabeth. However, the turning point of the entire play is when he signs the confession but then rips it. The reader notices that when Proctor states, “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. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs” (Miller 133). This action not only shocks the other characters but also represents a turning point in Proctor's transformation. He denounces the corrupt system and reclaims his integrity by rejecting the fake confession. Proctor's peripeteia represents his transformation and his choice to give his life in order to reveal the truth and combat the injustice that permeates
Compare And Contrast John Proctor In The Crucible
811 Words | 4 PagesThe protagonist John Proctor is a protagonist who spoke his own mind. He respected himself and he denies hypocrisy. At the end of the play, John Proctor has a final speech about his acceptance of himself, he refused to sign a false confession because he remembers his affair with Abigail. He had the honor to speak up his mind and not been defeated by the witch trials. The speech that John Proctor gave at the end of the plays shows the nature dilemmas involved in the trials.
The Decision Of John Proctor In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
654 Words | 3 PagesIn favor to saving the lives of his friends he has chosen to rip up the signed confession. Before Proctor ripped up the confession, he spoke with his wife Elizabeth Proctor and he goes on to say, “I have been thinking I would confess to them Elizabeth. What say you? If I give them that?”(Act IV.465-468). Elizabeth Proctor then says to Proctor that she will not judge him if he does choose to confess.
Why Did John Proctor Want To Have A Good Reputation In The Crucible
1001 Words | 5 PagesHis reputation would be ruined. Therefore he stood up in court and said the truth to save other people’s lives, but it didn’t work. He was able to save his own life, but the price when his reputation, which he valued a lot and he believes lying is bad. So he tears up the papers and hangs with others, because Proctor could not live with the guilt that his name would be tainted
How Is John Proctor Rebellious
1051 Words | 5 PagesBlatantly admitting his dislike for Parris and showing his clear love for God perhaps not in the eyes of all of Salem, but to himself. Furthermore it made it clear to me that my particular thinking was not incorrect, Proctor had no love for Parris. This is also the reason Proctor did not get his third son baptised. There is justification for why Proctor rebels, he does not do it out of spite for the church, he does it out of lack of respect for the people running the church. Proctor is still a firm believer in Christ, he just chooses not to follow a system that he does not believe in, and that system is the way Salem is run, by corruption, hatred for others and self-serving lies.
John Proctor's Responsibility In The Crucible
439 Words | 2 PagesJohn Proctor, the main character, tries
The Confession Of John Proctor In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
1052 Words | 5 PagesJohn Proctor is allowing his name to be muddied while still preserving his name as a husband. The town is seeing him as impure; but all he cares about is saving his wife. John Proctor saving his wife, is allowing him to look at himself in the mirror and say “I may not be the best man, but I am trying to better myself as a husband.” The concept of looking at yourself in the mirror, being able to sleep at night, or meeting St. Peter at heaven’s gate, all are the reason he destroyed his fake confession.
The Crucible: John Proctor, The Tragic Hero
1335 Words | 6 PagesHe knows what he is doing, as he has a child on the way, and his name is more important to him than his own life. To ensure that his family wouldn't have to bear the consequences of his actions, he takes his own life and keeps his pride. All of this supports the case of John, as the tragic hero, because he started off the story very high up in social relations, and his own actions cause him to fall to the bottom, and die. This same superiority is what originally fed into his very own pride. John Proctor is the tragic hero of this story because of his both selfish and selfless action of not confessing
The Crucible John Proctor Loss Of Innocence
462 Words | 2 PagesProctor cannot bear to lose his life and leave his wife behind; so when asked by the judge if he will confess, he proclaims "I will have my life," (Miller 137) and presents his confession, falling from his morale of strength and
John Proctor Argumentative Essay On The Crucible
685 Words | 3 PagesJohn states in his article,”Expressing the 'conscience' or 'name' of the protagonist in dramatic terms is a different one from the establishment of Proctor's right to be termed a Tragic Hero in the first place,” shows the intent of Miller putting Proctor In the play(Arthur Miller and the Tradition of Tragedy). Proctor is defined to be the hero of the play in his words or ‘conscience’ and actions or ‘name.’ Dictionary.com has defined a tragic hero to be,”a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destinedfor downfall, suffering, or defeat” pefectly fitting the image of John Protcor(Dictionary.com). Proctor is a virtuous character that meets his doom in the end. Furthering Proctor’s actions combining with his personality flaw, bring about his death known has a tragic
The Crucible: John Proctor A Tragic Hero
579 Words | 3 PagesThis makes him a hero because he's trying to win back the trust of his wife while doing everything to prove the innocence of his wife and townspeople being inculpated for witchcraft. John Proctor wasn't perfect but his personality, by being ethical with the townspeople shows his tragic heroism. Furthermore, John Proctor fought valiantly for his wife's freedom, his freedom, and the freedom, and the town of the condemned people. He never lied during the grueling quarrel for freedom.
The Crucible John Proctor Strengths And Weaknesses
613 Words | 3 PagesNothing’s spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before” (Miller 1352). He is ultimately giving up his confession even though he knows it is not the right thing to do. A previous break to Proctor’s Christianity beliefs is when he commits adultery; however, instead of standing up for himself he gives into the court’s desire. When John Proctor confesses, his actions prove a huge weakness John Proctor has. However, his actions of confessing result in a strength.
Elizabeth Proctor Conflicts
1276 Words | 6 PagesProctor illustrates a great deal of mental illusion. He knows that his signed confession will be used to strengthen the power of the court and blacken the memories of those of those who are about to die. Proctor is a brave man, and can’t
The Trial Of John Proctor
764 Words | 4 PagesProctor takes pride in his status and reputation throughout the play. He argues “I am no Sarah Good or Tituba, I am John Proctor! You will not use me! It is no part of salvation that you should use me!”(Act Four) This emphasizes the importance of his name to Proctor as he values his reputation and status.
The Crucible: Is John Proctor A Good Man?
533 Words | 3 PagesHe 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.
How Does Arthur Miller Use Dramatic Irony In The Crucible
696 Words | 3 PagesWhen John Proctor admits his adultery, the Court asks him to sign a confession, and John Proctor declines. Parris responds to Proctor and says: “Proctor, the village must have proof that” you confessed to
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