Threat of Death During the witch trials around 1693, people were faced with a deadly internal conflict that often times came down to their morals and forced them to evaluate themselves. In Salem alone, 200 people were accused of witchcraft and 20 were executed. The question that the accused had to constantly ask themselves is where their dedication lied; their self-interest, or the larger community. In the distorted town of Salem, Massachusetts, opposing opinions caused its inhabitants to turn against each other. What drove them was trying to save their own lives, the possibility of gaining something for themselves, or rarely, to save someone else’s life. In literature and real life, a character or person that agrees with the ideals of a community is likely to stand with the group because they want to show their …show more content…
He refuses to lose his honor by confessing to a crime that he did not commit and will not allow his lie to go on public display:“Because it is my name! … Because I lie and sign myself to lies”(Miller 1232). His main concern is preserving his reputation and he is willing to undergo any punishment in order to feel like he has done so. He would rather be hanged than have the community think that he is a dishonest man. John Proctor is willing to rebel against the community officials in order to be at peace with himself: “Is the accuser always holy now? Were they born this morning as clean as God’s fingers”(1243)? He suggests that the individuals that accuse everyone are being treated like they are not capable of being dishonest, but they are still human like everyone else. He challenges the idea that the accusers are more reliable than the accused. Because his only intention during the trials is to preserve his honest character, Proctor is serving his own
In John Proctor’s argument with Reverend Hale regarding his devotion to religion, Miller uses ethos and pathos to propel the plot forward. His ethos are aimed towards revealing Parris’s lack of devotion to the church by using decorum to show how he fails to be concomitant with Hale’s archetype of a trustworthy leader. The replacement of the handmade pewter candles with the artificial golden candles symbolized how the trials encouraged religious pretense in Salem rather than sincere devotion to religion. The trials promoted the superficial/materialistic aspect of faith in Salem because people were deemed to be pious by their attendance at Church on Sabbath day rather than by their innate devoutness to religion. Similarly, Miller vilified his
When people are accused of a crime they didn’t commit, it often has lasting effects on them and their loved ones. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, he explores the Salem Witch trials with characters that are accused of a crime they clearly didn’t commit, and are sent to their death. In a similar fashion, the five adolescents who were accused and found guilty of a heinous crime in New York City were ultimately found innocent after they served years and had eliminated a chance of restoring their youth. In the Central Park Five court case that occurred in New York City during the late 1980’s, the idea that a hero is someone valiant is proven by Antron Mccray. In the play, the Crucible by Arthur Miller, it displays that a hero is honest based on
The inability to remain economically stable has released fear among people, making them indulge in irrational behaviors to protect their personal welfare and financial status. In the beginning of the play “The Crucible, Samuel Parris is introduced, a Puritan minister in the Town of Salem. He is afflicted because his sick daughter will not wake up, yet his true colors are later revealed. He angrily questions his niece Abigail of any abomination done by her that could have lead to that state of her daughter, for he argues that he has “fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people… and that now, just now when some good respect is rising for him…” she has compromised his character (Miller 11). It is revealed that he doesn’t actually
Nothing’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.
Then, John was accused of witchcraft. He was given the choice to tell the truth and be prosecuted or confess to a crime he didn’t commit and be set free. He chose to tell the truth and got sent to jail. During this time, he said “... what is John Proctor? I think it is honest” (page 138).
In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the town of Salem is afflicted with hysteria, intolerance, and accusations that lead to death. According to philosopher Aristotle, a tragic hero possesses a tragic flaw, excessive pride, and an inevitable downfall. Protagonist John Proctor illustrates a tragic hero because he is presented as happy, powerful, and privileged, which later leads him to suffer because of his own actions. First of all, John Proctor possesses a fatal flaw, pride, which is a characteristic of a tragic hero. Proctor’s fatal flaws includes honesty and pride.
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.
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.
Proctor talks good about the people who decided not to confess. He Doesn't want to say anything that will harm them. Proctor doesn't think he’s doing the right thing by confessing and wants to change his mind to do the right thing. John proctor
The Crucible Argumentative Essay John Proctor should have risked taking a stand against a system that was against his beliefs. In the past, people have sacrificed themselves for what they believed in. As seen in The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John Proctor defies the court, and it results in his execution. John Proctor should have risked taking the stand, because he maintained his reputation as a good man and role model.
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.
It Proctor values his reputation, albeit in a positive way (unlike characters such as Abigail) when he says"Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name?
As written in The Crucible john proctor refuses as miller has stated, “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my ,life! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang!” (Miller 1164). By saying this John Proctor has just realized and ends up trying to get the point across that he no longer wants to go through with his lie and feels guilty about the situation he is in.
John Proctor is a good man despite anything others may say about him. He displays three very noble qualities throughout the witch trials which are bravery, honesty, and an overall goal to save lives even to the point where he sacrificed his. While many argue John is a bad man because he committed adultery they are entirely mistaken. Just because he had one bad sin gives no right to anybody to call him a bad person when clearly the good side of him is shown more than the bad. John Proctor is a good man who displays the characteristics of a hero and could be seen as one for giving his life for his friends.
John has the conscience of an honest man even though he has committed a severe sin, which he hides, adultery. Because of this his name is tainted, making the reader doubt the goodness in him. When Proctor reveals the truth in court, we are surprised because he has confessed knowing it will blacken his name, and he has done this in order to save his wife, Elizabeth Proctor. Because of this we are able to see that Proctor bears responsibility for what has occurred. However when he confesses, Abigail turns against him and accuses Proctor of being a witch.