The Character Of John Proctor In The Salem Witch Trials

In Arthur Miller’s historical fiction play The Crucible (1953), he created loyal and unloyal figures that either stay true to their beliefs or falter in order to save themselves. Multiple selfish characters such as Thomas Putnam, his wife, and Abigail Williams manipulate others for their own gain- with no regard to any loyalty toward those people they have known for years. In The Crucible, the town of Salem goes into a panic when people are accused of witchcraft, and long-term friends start turning on each other. Loyalty does not matter, because people are either trying to save themselves or get something from it by using other people. Many people disregard loyalty and allow self-interest to overcome their integrity.

It is evil”(Miller 4.539-540). Proctor realizes that if he lies and admits to witchcraft that it is an evil act that will only make things worst for him and his family. He is also honorable because he will not have his name written on the church door. If his name it posted it will only give the people of Salem a bad example. Lastly, with refusing to write his name, Proctor is standing up for the people who were wrongly

It shows how Parris just expects obedience from everyone since he is a minister. Also, during the trials, Proctor had to tell the judge it was Parris who caught the girls in the woods. That is a huge piece he did not tell the court because he was too scared his name would be ruined. It did not care that tons of his people were being accused of witchcraft. Someone in authority would be trying to save their people, not put them on a scaffold to

So, he uses pathos to appeal the court, tarnishing his name. To his discontent, none of these tactics work leaving his main purpose a failure. As Proctor is defending the life of his wife, he utilizes Mary Warren, to logically explain what is happening in Salem and supporting it with his credibility. As Mary Warren testified she swore ¨that she never saw Satan;... And she declares her friends are lying now¨, attempting to reason with Danforth, nevertheless

John Proctor fights strongly against his false accusations when he is accused of witchcraft. Proctor has a little issue with verbally saying that he is a witch because a verbal statement is between him and his God. But when Judge Danforth wants to post it on the church door, Proctor refuses to sign the document. The difference between verbally saying something as to putting it in writing is huge. By stating he is a witch, John Proctor feels that saying this lie verbally, he will view himself

The court was so fearful of the devil and of witches that they killed many people without any real evidence. John Proctor was accused of witchcraft; he had a chance to save his life but knew it was not the right thing to do. In order to save his family and clean his conscience, Proctor accepted his fate and chose to be

But his test becomes more severe, as he will not publish the signed confession. Procter does in the end pass the crucible when he is hung. He passes it because he took the blame and punishment when he truly was not apart of the witchcraft. Miller adds some self realization as proctor cries, “It's my name.. I cannot have another life.” Here is

Throughout the play, John Proctor had an affair with Abigail Williams who worked for Elizabeth Proctor as a midwife. Proctor fears for his reputation because he doesn 't want his name posted and labeled as an adultery, not only to the town of Salem but also for his sons. In Act IV Proctor states “I have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed to the church!

Throughout the play John Hale seems to become more and more unsure of himself. It is like Reverend Hale is being split in two directions and can not decide which is the right path for him to take. He changes his opinion about witchcraft at this time because he knows that John Proctor is a good man and is not a witch.Reverend Hale realizes his job of finding and ridding the world of witches is false.“It is mistaken law that leads you to sacrifice.”(Miller 1301). Next, Reverend Hale realizes that whole thing is getting out of hand and is ridiculous, so he quits the court. Reverend Hale's character changed from believing in witches and saving their souls from the devil to saving their lives from a lie.

Mary is part of the courts and seems to use this to manipulate her employer, Mr. Proctor. Her first act of defiance was when she told him that he could not order her to bed, give her whippings, or stop her from going to court proceedings (Miller, pg. 59). It is not certain if she knew the intent of Abigail to use the poppet to condemn Elizabeth Proctor. However, when she asked by Mr. Proctor to tell the truth about the poppet, she adamantly says that she cannot because she fears the girls will turn on her.