Not to mention when Danforth is asking if letting Proctor’s wife live longer, then will he drop the case. Proctor declines this agreement and seeks to free those he deems are falsely accused. As can be seen Proctor is a selfless man who will sacrifice what he loves for the betterment of others. Months of torture didn’t break Proctor’s will, and this is shown in great detail as John tears up his confession. As soon as Proctor is given the chance to live and abandon his friends, he is unsure.
Proctor serves as the voice of reason and justice. As he is the one, who knows the reality of Parris, so he is always anger with him and seldom go to the church. Parris is an example of appearance versus reality. As in his first appearance, he seems good father, who cares about his daughter but in the fact, he only cares about his reputation, as he says “they will howl me out of the Salem for such corruption in my house” (1.10). Parris has always disagreements with Proctor and both of them angry with each other.
They did not want to live without it. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the characterization of John Proctor through dialogue and stage directions is used to convey the message that it is better for one to die honorably than live dishonorably. The characterization of John Proctor through dialogue is used to show how he is more willing to die with honor than live without it. As John and Elizabeth quarrel about John’s affair, he says,
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.
After Proctor tears up his false confession, he is sentenced to death by hanging. This does not sit right with Reverend Hale, a reverend brought in to analyze if there was witchcraft in Salem. He tries to tell Proctor’s wife to stop him from doing this as he clearly sees that John never committed witchcraft, and he wants to save an innocent man. Elizabeth argues that he made this decision for himself, and it is the decision that he wanted to make: “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!” (Miller 1334).
In the The Crucible, John Proctor’s motivation shifts from fear to redemption, which causes him to be accused of witchcraft. In conclusion John is scared for his wife, doesnt want his reputation or name tarnished, and he doesn't want to die but wants to keep his dignity. Johns decision to not confess ultimately led to his death, if he chose to confess he would still be alive and with his kids and
This is seen in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Originally, John Proctor was a noble, well respected man. Eventually, witchcraft accusations began going around the town of Salem, and Proctor was in the midst of several dilemmas. In every situation, Proctor decided to protect his honour just like everyone else. As the story progresses, more dilemmas are presented
He places his reputation above all else, contrasting Proctor, who only maintains his reputation to protect his family and friends reputation. Parris, in the very beginning of the play, demonstrates his concern I have fought here three long years to bend stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising…” (Miller 11). Even when there is possible witchcraft is occuring, he could care less. He is only concerned with his reputation. This reveals his view on morals, choosing the easier wrong over the harder right.
After confessing his adultery, Proctor is thrown in the jails. Elizabeth is pregnant and wishes for Proctor to live to see his children grown. However, John believes that he has nothing, but a name that has been blacked in the Salem community. He signs his confession witchcraft and release, but refuses to hand it back over because he will have “nothing” left. His reasoning is “Because it is my name!
His fear of losing his reputation led him to destroying his confession documents, which condemned him to his death. Finally, Proctor did not deserve to die. He felt guilt and remorse, a sure sign that he was an honest man, and honest men do not deserve to die. In conclusion, Arthur Miller’s John Proctor is a hero. Proctor trying to explain to that the witch hunts are led by a lovesick girl to an unforgiving crowd exuberates his characteristics as a hero.