Direct Characterization In The Crucible

Miller shows the audience throughout the play with direct and indirect characterization that John Proctor is eaten by guilt, and that he has things to hide.. Like in act he said, “ ...I should have roared you down when you first told me your suspicion. But I wilted, and like a christian, I confessed!...”(Miller 1164). John Proctor was a angry man who could not let go of his guilt and pride. He could not accept his wife Elizabeth”s forgiveness because he could not forgive himself. The author author also uses indirect characterization to show that John Proctor has skeletons in the closet which the guilt is hanging over him. When Miller says, “ In Proctor’s presence a fool felt his foolishness instantly- and a Proctor is always marked for calumny
therefore.”(Miller 1138) This statement which assumes he does not have an untroubled soul, this insinuates that John Proctor has a shaky past which could ruin his reputation if they were discovered. John Proctor guilt is one of the most important parts of him. This guilt over his sin makes him into the man he is for a lot of the play.
Miller also uses direct and indirect characterization to reveal to us that John Proctor is a dynamic character.
Throughout the play John is eaten by guilt and it makes him the thick headed individual that he is. But when circumstances throughout the play changes, it causes him to change into a man cares more about his wife than himself. It changes him into a man that forgives himself and has self-respect again. When Proctor says, “ I have known her, sir. I have known her”(Miller 1206). This is an indirect characterization that John Proctor has changed and that he has goodness in him. He was willing to give up the one thing he had left in life for his wife, his good name. Also when Proctor says “ I can. And there’s your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor”(Miller 1232). This is direct characterization that reveals that Proctor has changed. That he is no longer a man eaten by guilt. He is an individual with goodness inside of him who has gained his self-respect again. He is finally at peace.
It is really quite simple to comprehend that John Proctor is dynamic character through Miller’s usage of direct and indirect characterization. Throughout the whole play; John Proctor was defined by guilt and regret. Nevertheless, he goes through a change at the end of the play. He goes from being a guilt ridden man to a self-respecting individual with his pride there. People can go from being dragged down by
guilt to having pride and self-respect again. So next I see an individual full of guilt, I will think of John Proctor and how anybody can change.