John Proctor's Flaws In The Crucible

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.

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible (1953), portrays the Salem witch trials and conveys how the actions of a single person can hold a high impact on its surrounding community when faced with troublesome times. When accusations of witchcraft start spreading throughout the town, mass hysteria breaks out and infects the mindset of a large quantity of Salem’s inhabitants. The problems are further accentuated by poorly run trials led on by the corrupt leaders of the community. Throughout the play, drastic decisions are made by many that further the development of the plot. John Proctor is a highly respected citizen of Salem, though he does not view himself in that same light, and is one who is faced with an array of arduous decisions time and time again.

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible takes place in a puritanical 17th century Salem town, where a distinct line separates right from wrong. Puritan ideals define the individuals living in Salem, and John Proctor, the protagonist, finds himself struggling to act on these ideals. Miller portrays Proctor in different lights throughout the course of the play, as Proctor often finds himself engrossed in the heat of the hysteria driven town. His character starts out lacking clear heroic or admirable features, as his disloyalty to his wife becomes apparent early on. Nevertheless, Proctor means to mend his marriage as he diverts his sinful relationship with Abigail Williams, and slowly his goodwill is depicted.

John Proctor is an excellent example of Arthur Miller's utilization of the varying degrees of goodness and evil to propel the story of The Crucible forward. John Proctor is a successful and well-respected farmer who holds himself at a particular distance from the Church, a rarity at the time. This may be related to the guilt he has come to know, as he has sinned, and openly condemns the trials taking place while hiding the secrets of his affair with the accuser, Abigail Williams. Proctor, an outspoken man entirely consumed by his guilt, must take responsibility for his actions, publicly confess his sins, denounce Abigail Williams, and save his soul from eternal damnation. John Proctor has held resentment towards Revered Parris since his appointment

John Proctor admits to having an affair, which ruins the towns view on him. He does not seem to care about the town’s view on him, because he did it to help is wife and clear his guilty conscience. He may not seem to care about how the town views him, however he is still very protective of his name. He admits to witchcraft when Reverend Hale asks him to. He then has to sign a contract of some sort, however the judges want to nail it to the church door.

You can see that John Proctor is a good man, he tries to help everyone and he does not meddle in the lives of others, he is considered an upstanding member of the community. John Proctor is a hardworking middle aged farmer, husband, and father. People love and respect him although they know he is not without human failing. For example with Mary, when the Counsel take Proctor’s wife, He starts to scream at her and almost hits her. I understand that he doesn’t want to lose his wife but, he can be gentler with her or when he has an affair with their teenage servant Abigail Williams, a girl that tells lies, manipulates her friends and the entire town, and eventually sends innocent people to their deaths.

In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, the town of Salem, Massachusetts is overrun with hysteria because of children who accused many of the townspeople of witchcraft. One of the accused was a man named John Proctor. While he was a respected farmer and member of the community, he had committed adultery with one of the accusers, Abigail Williams. ++++ +

Shannon L. Alder once stated, “Sometimes painfully lost people can teach us lessons that we didn't think we needed to know, or be reminded of---the more history changes; the more it stays the same.” Arthur Miller, the author of The Crucible, realized the truth in Alder’s words when Senator Joseph McCarthy created frenzy much like the Salem witch trials did. In Miller’s play we see a serious of strenuous struggles develop a very interesting plot line. We find out that Abigail William and John Procter had an affair but John realized his wrongs and denied his love for Abigail. Abigail, feeling rejected, looked to avenge herself and got the perfect opportunity to when she accused John’s wife of witchcraft.

John Proctor is a tormented individual. He believes his affair with Abigail irreparably damaged him in the eyes of God, his wife Elizabeth, and himself “PROCTOR: I have made a bell of my honor! I have rung the doom of my good name—you will believe

Throughout the play, when John Proctor acts selfish, trying to benefit himself, he shows that he actually is a very dishonorable

John Proctor’s act of tearing up the confession is an act to regain his lost honor and integrity. Throughout the text John Proctor makes various statements about his name and how it shall not be tarnished. Proctor then tells about how he and Abigail had an affair, which tarnishes his name. That then brings forth his drive for initiative. John Proctor takes his opportunity when it comes upon him instantly and puts on a grade “A” act.

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

Additionally, a court that trials his own being is when he decides to tear up the confession. John Proctor is a man of self worth and has honor for himself and others. Proctor has fallen to the

Through all the bad John Proctor was still able to gain his respect and he is seen as an honorable. Proctor is honorable because he is brave, mindful of others, and loyal throughout the play. In The Crucible John Proctor is seen as brave. For example, Proctor was brave enough to die for integrity for his name.

As the one of the most important characters in the Crucible, John Proctor symbols common human nature and goodness of a person. He is a very respectable man of the Salem community, and because of his human nature, he did make a mistake that violated the adultery sin of the Ten Commandments. Whatever the sins of others, John Proctor’s publicized position robs him of his credibility. But John still has his goodness, he feels sorry for his wife, still loves her, and he makes the right choice in the end of the play. He was going to confess himself of the witchcraft to being alive, but he is aware that what such a shame to protect himself instead of refusing to sacrifice soul to save his life by admitting being with devils.