John Proctor Belonging

John Proctor is an individual who trusts his own judgement and doesn't necessarily respect the ideas of other. He is a man who attracts a lot of trouble in a society that expects everyone to be the same. John Proctor is a perfect example of how experiences and choices can impact on your sense of belonging.

Proctor chooses not to belong to the Salem community. The fact that he has 'sinned' by committing adultery with the Reverend Pariss's niece causes him to view himself as a hypocrite and not worthy of association with the people of the community like Rebecca and Frances Nurse, who he regards as better than him. His sin, even though only Elizabeth knows about it, makes him uncomfortable in terms of belonging to the Salem community. Proctor says ' I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man'. Proctor would rather stay true to himself than to pretend to belong in a community where he doesn't.

He doesn't not belong to society or his own family because others don't allow him, but more as he self perceives himself as not belonging. Proctor considers himself an outsider and excludes himself from everyone. Although only Elizabeth and Abigail know about John's sin, he perceives himself to be lower than everyone else in Salem and does not give himself the chance to belong. Proctor would rather belong in final peace with himself rather than the Salem community.

Arthur Miller uses a variety of techniques to portray the heroic character John Proctor really is. Although John Proctor has committed an unlawful sin, his guilt and regret shows he is not a bad man. He will fight for the innocence of other, even if it means he pays at the end. Proctor is miller's hero character in the story making his own rules and rebelling against the ones in society. Miller uses strong and blunt language as a technique to create the character of John Proctor. This shows he is a very opinionated man who is not afraid to speak his mind. Miller also uses