The Conversation Of John Proctor In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

The reader learns that Proctors marriage is not in the best place at the moment through the discrepancy between what John Proctor does before he sees his wife and when he talks to her. Miller illustrates in his stage directions, “He is not quite pleased. He…takes a pinch of salt, and drops it into the pot,” (49). Here, the reader can understand he is not pleased with his wife’s cooking, however, he fixes it to his liking and then compliments her at dinner. He is not honest with Elizabeth because he is trying to please her and not add any more problems to their marriage. The conversation between them shows the reader Elizabeth still does not trust her husband. She questions her husband and is suspicious about his actions and is still hurting from Proctors infidelity (Miller 49-50).

Miller’s use of dialogue is effective in the first two pages of this scene in showing the rift between the couple. Through their conversation, it is evident their marriage has not yet

This quotation is ironic because women are being punished for denying working with the devil while its the truth but are allowed to live if they lie. If the accused claim to be innocent, they are more then likely to die, however, if they confess to being guilty, they live a life of shame. This proves to be ironic because the accused are rewarded if they lie, even though lying is a sin and when sinning you are condemned to hell but are put to death if they tell the truth.

Elizabeth states, “The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you,” (55). Here, Elizabeth compares Johns conscience to a crime. She demonstrates his own heart condemns him not the court. Elizabeth uses this metaphor when John accuses her of still judging him, showing he does not believe she has forgiven him.By using this metaphor she illustrates he has a guilty concious and is being consumed with his guilt resulting in him to be