John Proctor's Conflict With Guilt In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
Aidan Kane Mrs. Phelps English III ACC 9 January 2023 The Crucible analysis essay Sometimes it takes the many deaths of people for some to realize what is truly right and wrong. From the years of 1692-1693, there were a series of trials in which people were accused of witchcraft, and if without confession, were sentenced to hang. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller develops John Proctor's conflict with guilt through metaphors and hyperboles, demonstrating how although guilt can destroy a person, taking action to face one’s guilt through sacrifice can help one change for the better by offering a chance at redemption. Through the use of metaphors and hyperboles, Miller develops Proctor’s conflicts with guilt to show how guilt can destroy a person. …show more content…
Proctor's desire for redemption is fueled by his guilt and may be exemplified throughout several instances of him sacrificing his name, and in the end, his life, when going against the court. Miller writes, “Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang” (Miller 143). Through Proctor's comparison of his worth to dust, he means to show how guilty he feels that innocent people have been killed as a result of lies and he would be able to save himself with a lie in return, which would then be used to encourage more people to engage in the hysteria. Instead, Proctor stays strong to his name and redeems himself through this sacrifice. Around the same discussion in the novel Miller also states, “I have three children---how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends?” (Miller 143). Although in reality, Proctor did not sell his friends, he makes this exaggeration to demonstrate to Danforth the guilt he feels and the reasons he needs this redemption. Proctor highlights how his current worth is not as valuable as the man he wants to be as he has let innocent people die and is about to tell a lie which would save his life. He feels incapable of living his life with that guilt and wants to take the opportunity to do the right thing and absolve it through this sacrifice. Subsequently, Miller develops Proctor’s conflicts with guilt to reveal how one can change for the better through their chances at redemption through hyperboles and
Past Mistakes Of John Proctor In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
162 Words | 1 PagesProctor’s actions have taught us to put others before us. Through John Proctor's developments from a confused man to a conscience stricken man and ending in a town role model, Arthur Miller illustrates the ability of overcoming one’s past mistakes. John Proctor overcame his past challenges but he was a
Who Is John Proctor A Persuasive Essay On The Crucible
695 Words | 3 PagesProctor is seen as an honorable man as he cherished his name and was willing to take the most extreme measures, even death, if it meant keeping his good name. After being accused of witchcraft, Proctor is brought into the courthouse. He verbally confessed to practicing witchcraft, but when asked by Deputy Danforth to sign a document confirming his confession, he refuses. When questioned about his refusal he says “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!
How Does Proctor Use Lies In The Crucible
1356 Words | 6 PagesProctor: 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
Abuse Of Power In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
1013 Words | 5 PagesIt is enough!” (Miller 142) In which Proctor claims that he is of his own and that he cannot give of that of his friends. Not only does Aurthr miller resemble that of proctor with giving up just himself for what he has done but also in the sense of his feeling towards the events that took place and the
John Proctor Sacrifice In The Crucible
1003 Words | 5 PagesMiller did not write about the affair to make Proctor seem like a bad person, instead he thought “The important thing--the process whereby a man, feeling guilt for A, sees himself as guilty of B and thus belies himself--accommodates his credo to believe in what he knows is not true.'” (Bigsby). This quote was written directly by Arthur Miller and explains his decision to have John Proctor’s guilt be the center of the story. Throughout the book, the author brilliantly used the relationships that Proctor had with others to define who he was. He also exposed the other characters personalities through the consequences of Proctor’s guilty actions (Streufert).
Examples Of Lying In The Crucible
563 Words | 3 PagesYou will forever be associated with the words such as “witch”, “evil” and even “the devil” which is what Proctor realized in Act 4, hence, refusing to sign a confession paper and pleading “How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name” (Miller 143)! Proctor realized that if he confessed to witchery, then he and his family’s name would be tainted and plummet. Additionally, his kids would have to live with the fact that their father is vile. He did not want to curse his children with this life and decided to make the selfless sacrifice for the sake of his family’s reputation and futures.
John Proctor Guilty Conscience The Crucible
618 Words | 3 PagesDue to Proctor’s guiltiness and desperate need to repent, he becomes aggressive and rash when he was once a steady and strong-willed man.
The Crucible John Proctor Guilt Analysis
872 Words | 4 PagesGuilt is emotional torture that transforms one's psychological operation. In the play, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, before the Salem witch trials emerge, John Proctor cheats on his wife Elizabeth Proctor, with young Abigail. Causing him to live with an eternal shame that generates dispute. Proctor’s endeavour is to elude from his wrongdoing, but he cannot because of the disgrace he feels himself to be when around Elizabeth. Miller shows that John Proctor's emotional and behavioral conflict rises from his guilt.
John Proctor Selfishness In The Crucible
1797 Words | 8 PagesThroughout the novel, Proctor demonstrates positive qualities in regards to himself, his wife, and his community. In Act 1, Miller introduces Proctor as a man who is strong, emotionally stable, and steadfast. These qualities show the reader that Proctor is a man who behaves in a noble manner and that he is a character who the audience can admire. Even though he possesses noble like qualities, he also has character flaws that allow the audience to more easily relate to him as a character and, more importantly, a human. Those character flaws include: excessive pride, or hubris, selfishness, and being deceitful.
John Proctor Redemption Quotes
612 Words | 3 PagesThis is demonstrated in this excerpt, “Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang!” (Miller 143). This quote shows the audience he thinks he is worth nothing. Proctor undergoes a transformation where he retrieves his dignity and respect for himself.
Examples Of Integrity In The Crucible
801 Words | 4 Pageshow may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends” (miller 132). This is showing when faced with a hard challenge your morals will continue to shine through. Proctor finally comes to his true sense when he and Danforth have this conversation “Why? Do you mean to deny this confession when you are free” says Danforth “ I mean to deny nothing” Proctor says in response “Then explain to me, Mr. Proctor, why you will not let” proctor then interrupts and exclaims “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life.
John Proctor Flaws
697 Words | 3 PagesHe says, “… in Miller’s plays there usually comes a moment when the central character cries out his own name, determined to invest it with meaning and integrity” (Bigsby 12). John Proctor puts his needs behind in court. He can unwind when he confesses to his dishonest behavior. In death, he sees redemption. The shame he feels from damaging his own pride and reputation is not sizeable in comparison to the feeling of freedom.
John Proctor's Integrity In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
1402 Words | 6 PagesIn Arthur Miller's 1953 play The Crucible, John Proctor, a character who worked toward strengthening his once-poor integrity, invites readers to reflect upon themselves, recognise and uphold their individualistic principles of moral conduct. Through the elaborate and effective use of his creative licence,
John Proctor's Final Act In The Crucible By Arthur Miller
400 Words | 2 PagesHe gave his life for his family name making sure that the people who are going to kill know not to say anything bad about his name. Proctors option of getting hung over telling everyone, which was a act of honor. It was a act of honor because he decided to get hung over letting the whole town know, and see what he had to do to keep his name good and not bad. Proctor did do some bad things, and did try and blame things on people which they did not do because
Examples Of John Proctor's Struggles In The Crucible
915 Words | 4 PagesMiller shows Procter trying to be honest and telling the truth. He displays this by Proctor confessing to the sin he has committed and casting his good name. Proctor does this to show people that he is telling the truth and try to save the life of his love one. Miller demonstrates Proctor doing this in page 110 “Oh, Francis, I wish you had some evil in you that you might know me! To Danforth:
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