The Crucible John Proctor Confession Essay

The end of the Crucible is very suspenseful when the protagonist, John Proctor, is faced with choosing between confessing to a lie or dying for the truth. At first, Proctor is hesitant and signs the papers, confessing himself to evil, but before the signed paper is collected by the court, he tears it apart and is sentenced to death. This was his best option, for it stopped him from living a remorseful life. His decision to tear apart the signed confession was the most correct not only for himself but for his family and the community as well. In the Puritan village of Salem, a man 's reputation is very important.

In the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John Proctor was accused of witchcraft. John Proctor was a man of great integrity and knew he did nothing wrong. He was given the choice to confess and lie or be hung. Being the honest and stubborn man that he was, he decided his name was more important than his life. John struggled both internally and with others while trying to fight for what he thought was right.

In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, John Proctor is a complex character. Proctor’s actions in the play bring up multiple questions and uncertainty because of his sinful past of adultery. One move that comes into question that comes into question is his self-sacrifice at the end. Proctor rips up his confession and gives up his chance of living to save the reputation of the innocent people that are "witches." Many people do not find his act of self-sacrifice believable, but Proctor’s final actions show that he is sincerely a good man despite his past.

It shows that it will not affect her or her family because the government has made it so she can barely think. It is very notable that Hazel was the one who watched the event because it exhibits that she can still process information and feel sad about it, but it will eventually be forgotten. In comparison, George was the one to watch the television program while Hazel was washing the dishes in the film. This is unusual because George is still forced forget because of his handicap. Although in both scenarios they are sad, they simply, “Forget sad things”.

In his diary entry, Steve uses the word ‘real’ because he wants people to see the non-superficial side of him. Steve desires people to not ask him or see him, but look into his heart. His wording shows that he doesn’t know who he is and therefore believes he is a Monster as Ms. Petrocelli calls him. He accepts people’s judgments as his self-truth. Even though, he, himself, accepts the worst he still wants people to perceive him as a good person, especially his mom.

Even though John Proctor betrays Elizabeth by having an affair, Elizabeth remains loyal to her husband. Her loyalty shows in Act Three when John is asked if his wife is honest and responds, “In her life sir, she will never lie.”. Although Elizabeth is an honest woman, she then lies in court for the sake of her husband’s fate. Her dishonesty results in her husband’s death despite that being the opposite of her intentions. Elizabeth shows that she will do anything for her husband as a loyal wife even going against her own morals.

In refusing to do so, he called out the corrupted justice system. After he saw what had happened to the previously accused, he found it unfair to sign his name away, saying “I have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name, God knows how black my sins are!

Elizabeth has been praised for her honesty and morality all along but now has been exposed in court. Is she two faced or does she posses a pretense? To everyone, besides the judges, it is evident she only sought to protect Proctor’s name and reputation. She values her commitment to her husband over honesty. She thought ruining his reputation would be the worst thing to happen to him, so she lied to the court, but boy was she wrong.

John ends up doing the right thing and not let Abigail manipulate him. The relationship between John and Elizabeth is truly how love should be portrayed. John's love for Elizabeth is also one of his inner struggles. John throughout the play is conflicted because he knows what he did was wrong but he thinks Elizabeth should not still be upset “ Spare me! You forget nothin’ and forgive nothin’.” (Miller 940).

My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. 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.