Examples Of John Proctor's Transformation In The Crucible

The Transformation of John Proctor Isolation from society does make an individual stronger, and in the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, it is evident that this statement is indeed true. The individual that fulfills the statement identified above is a man named John Proctor, who is well-respected in the opening act of the play. This play takes place in a time where the bulk of people, who were mostly women, were blamed for witchcraft. It was a time of Patriarchal societies, meaning that the civilizations were conquered my men and usually the priest or minister was the one in charge. John Proctor was a man in this society, so he was less likely to get suspected of doing something. Throughout the majority of this play, John is affronted
First, John becomes ostracized by so many when people find out that he has lots of hatred for the town’s Reverend; Reverend Parris. John says, “I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation…There are many others who stay away from church these days because you hardly ever mention God anymore” (Page 28. Line 28). Also John says, “…to ask ownership is like you shall own the meeting house itself; the last meeting I were at you spoke so long on deeds and mortgages I thought it were an auction” (Page 30. Line 8). Even though John says his reasons for not liking the ways of Reverent Parris, he is still looked down upon because it is unacceptable to not attend church on a weekly basis in the town of Salem in 1692. This is an instance of John being weak because instead of trying to figure out a solution with Reverend Parris, he just stops going to church. Another example of John Proctor showing weakness in the play is when he cheats on Elizabeth. When John says, “No more! I should have roared you down when first you told me your suspicion. But I wilted, and like a Christian, I confessed. Confessed...Let you look sometimes for the goodness in me, and judge me not” (Page 55. Line 7), he is confessing the truth which shows him being somewhat strong. The overall aspect of his dishonesty displays weakness and lacks
Elizabeth lies to the court to protect her husband. She says, “My husband-is a goodly man, sir” (Page 113. Line 13). This is especially difficult for Elizabeth to say because of what John had done to her beforehand. John, not being the strong man he soon will become, says, “I say-I say-God is dead” (Act 119. Line 25). For this, he is arrested. In Act 4, John changes dramatically. He gains noticeable strength when he is faced with a life changing situation. It is when John has to decide if he should sign the confession. He knows that he only has one identity, and if he ruins it, he will never be pardoned. He realizes that if he doesn’t confess, he is already full of sins and is weak, so his reputation will not change. John also knows that if he lives, his kids will have a father to grow up with, even if they are not admired. When John goes to Elizabeth for help, she says, “Do what you will. But let none be your judge. There be no higher judge under Heaven than Proctor is! Forgive me, forgive me, John-I never knew such goodness in the World” (Page 137. Line 18). She is telling him that she will support him in what ever he decides to do. Having his wife supporting him certainly gives him confidence, specifically because she forgave him for earlier mistakes he made. John’s strength really shows when he decides to tear up the confession that he signed. He says, “I can. And