John Proctor is the well-regarded protagonist of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible." Throughout the play, John struggles with his own inner demons and is ultimately forced to make a life-or-death decision to maintain his honor. John's character undergoes a significant transformation over the course of the play, moving from a guilt-ridden husband to an honorable man. This transformation is evident in John's actions and words as he grapples with the events of the witch trials. At the beginning of the play, John is depicted as a flawed character who is guilty of committing adultery. This guilt is reflected in his initial reluctance to become involved in the witch trials. John states, "I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" (Miller 56). This quote demonstrates John's fear of losing his good name and reputation, which is of utmost importance to him. However, as the trials progress, John becomes increasingly aware of the injustice taking place and …show more content…
In a powerful moment, John states, "Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!" (Miller 98). This quote demonstrates John's growing realization that his name and reputation are not only important to himself, but also to his community. He realizes that by sacrificing his own life, he can protect his good name and honor. In the end, John's transformation is complete as he chooses to die rather than falsely confess to witchcraft. His final act of selflessness and courage solidify him as an honorable man. John states, "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!" (Miller 120). This quote highlights John's newfound sense of morality and his refusal to compromise his principles, even in the face of death. Through his transformation, John becomes a dynamic character who demonstrates courage, selflessness, and a strong sense of
The development of the character John Proctor throughout Arthur Miller’s The Crucible helps to progress the themes of good versus evil, and reputation. This character is the main stressor in both themes in both the beginning and conclusion of the play. Proctor while not innocent himself, leads the themes centered around the respectable against the immoral, as well as the faithful against the perceived evil. Through trials and suffering, Proctor moral yet also immoral, is faced with immense difficulties.
Proctor Problems Intro: In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, several unusual events unfolded in the town of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. A series of prosecutions were held no matter the age, and many relationships were affected. One particular person who was effected is John Proctor. John struggles to find peace with himself throughout the play withlist pleasing his wife.
After Elizabeth was put in prison for accusations of witchcraft, John began his process of trying to gain forgiveness from her and himself. At first, John was willing to sign the paper admitting to the court that he had committed such crime. He was willing to ruin his “good name” and reputation in order to save his own life. However, when the time came for John to actually sign it, he refused to stain his name. John did not want to live for the wrong reasons and live a life of sin and affiliation with the Devil.
Later he is accused of witchery when Mary Warren succumbs to peer pressure and betrays him. Any person accused of witchery can live if they confess to the crimes they didn’t commit. John refuses not because he is pure godly, but to save his reputation that he has built in the town. John
He knew that he could get out of being hung if he would admit to witchcraft, but he would not do so because it would be a lie and to lie is to sin. However, to save his wife, he decides that he has no choice. Judge Danforth and a few others come to John and asked him if he had seen numerous people with the devil and John would not say yes to any. He says that he is guilty of witchcraft and they ask him to sign a paper stating so and they would nail it to the church door. John signed the paper but regretted it immediately afterwards.
He does not come to this decision right away and first decides to confess to witchcraft in order to live before it is revealed that his confession will be nailed to the church door. He cannot bear to see his signature tied to lies and begs Judge Danforth to “leave [him his] name,” because, like the beginning of the play, he wants to protect it, but this time from sin rather than the judgement of his community (143). By refusing to commit another sin, John is finally able to forgive himself and expresses this by declaring that “[he does] think [he sees] some shred of goodness in [himself],” (144). This decision is both an expression of self preservation, because he is saving himself in the name of his religion, and righteousness, because is doing what is best for the largest amount of
John understands that he must admit his transgression of infidelity to the courts, just to stop the free for all in Salem. After he admits, he urges his wife to do likewise, "Elizabeth, come clean! Elizabeth, I have admitted it!" (Page 113). He admits his transgression, and talks those words, simply because he is paying special mind to the benefit of the group, and others around him.
He refuses to contribute to the lie of witchcraft in Salem, fights for those convicted of witchcraft, and regrets being a dishonest man. John was one of the most courageous people. In The Crucible, for example, John is seen as loyal because he loves his wife and is willing to go to any length to get rid of Abigail. “My wife will never die for me! I will bring your guts into your mouth but that goodness will not die for me!"
Even through the trials and tribulations the balance of power was never equalized. Not until Johns final moments did he have something not to live for but to die for. Living for someone or something is one thing but dyeing displays true power and courage. Walking to his death John finally “has his goodness now. God, forbid [anyone] take it from him”; John took back his power for himself and nobody else (Miller 134).
He stood up for his opinion even when the stakes are so high. Such a statement would be taken as an act against the church directly, though Hale senses John’s honesty and takes the statement at face value. Another clear example of John’s heroism happened towards the end of the play when he refused to sign his confession. 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!
This showed that he was trying to keep his name clean by telling the truth. When John was in prison, they give him another chance to be freed of charges. They tried to persuade him
John, a respected farmer with a original sin, the affair with Abigail, found a way to get over his guilt and redeem himself through the sacrifice he made to save the people of Salem from the lies they think they need to spread to protect themselves and to take an action towards the false judges who are corrupting his town. He wanted to be a good example to be remembered by and forever in the memories of the people of Salem just like Jesus Christ still remains, to this day, a hero and humble savior of
Near the end of the play, John signs a confession that he consorted with the devil, but he eventually tears it up because he realizes that his integrity is more important than keeping a good name. He publicly confesses and allies himself with others who refuse to confess. John came to realize that had he confessed to save his life, those who refused to confess would look even more guilty to the court. John says, “ I have three children – how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends?”
What the Audience learns from John Proctor throughout the Crucible is that John Proctor was a flawed character and the beginning of the play, but coming into conclusion of the play he regains himself because he chooses to act as a tragic hero by seeking justice for his wife, friends, and
He was given the choice to either confess to being apart of witchcraft and be spared or not confess and get hanged. He is allowed to talk this over with his wife and at first they decide it would be better to confess even though they know he didn’t do anything! At this point in the play John realizes that it is not the right thing to do. He says “ How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul now give me your name.”