John Proctor Cruicible Essay
Honors American Literature
Mr. Davies
21 March 2014
John Proctor Character Analysis
1692, a time in which a small town goes into absolute chaos. The hysteria of witchcraft fills the streets of Salem, Massachusetts with rumors and accusations leading to the hanging of nineteen innocent people. Arthur Miller uses this tragedy to resemble the same stupidity of the accusations of the infiltration of communists in the United States throughout the 1950’s. To display the absurdness of the accusations, Miller had to create a protagonist with non-conformist views that would defy the insanity raised by the fictitious experiences of witchcraft. Miller creates the character John Proctor, a fictional character who does not conform to the madness of Salem. At times he may seem like a bad man trying to do a good deed, but, on the contrary, is quite a good man. Through the actions after his affair with Abigail, by defending his wife, and by standing up for his religious and personal viewpoints, John Proctor proves that he is indeed a good man.
It cannot be denied that John Proctor had an affair with Abigail Williams. He did something wrong and his actions haunt him throughout the play. He did break the sixth commandment, but because he is a sinner does not mean he is a terrible man. Everyone has sinned, and they cannot try and change that. It is how they deal with sin that defies who they are. John Proctor shows that he is not bad by having the feeling of guilt. For without guilt, it would mean that what he did, in his eyes did not feel wrong. This is not the case because during act one, while Proctor is introduced, Abigail tempts him while they are alone.
Abigail: Give me a word John. A soft word. Her concentrated desire destroys his smile.
John: No, no, Abby. That’s done with. (Miller 22)
Proctor denies all temptations that would lead to the feeling of guilt later on, showing his good morals as well as his love for Elizabeth still exists.
Even
Mr. Davies
21 March 2014
John Proctor Character Analysis
1692, a time in which a small town goes into absolute chaos. The hysteria of witchcraft fills the streets of Salem, Massachusetts with rumors and accusations leading to the hanging of nineteen innocent people. Arthur Miller uses this tragedy to resemble the same stupidity of the accusations of the infiltration of communists in the United States throughout the 1950’s. To display the absurdness of the accusations, Miller had to create a protagonist with non-conformist views that would defy the insanity raised by the fictitious experiences of witchcraft. Miller creates the character John Proctor, a fictional character who does not conform to the madness of Salem. At times he may seem like a bad man trying to do a good deed, but, on the contrary, is quite a good man. Through the actions after his affair with Abigail, by defending his wife, and by standing up for his religious and personal viewpoints, John Proctor proves that he is indeed a good man.
It cannot be denied that John Proctor had an affair with Abigail Williams. He did something wrong and his actions haunt him throughout the play. He did break the sixth commandment, but because he is a sinner does not mean he is a terrible man. Everyone has sinned, and they cannot try and change that. It is how they deal with sin that defies who they are. John Proctor shows that he is not bad by having the feeling of guilt. For without guilt, it would mean that what he did, in his eyes did not feel wrong. This is not the case because during act one, while Proctor is introduced, Abigail tempts him while they are alone.
Abigail: Give me a word John. A soft word. Her concentrated desire destroys his smile.
John: No, no, Abby. That’s done with. (Miller 22)
Proctor denies all temptations that would lead to the feeling of guilt later on, showing his good morals as well as his love for Elizabeth still exists.
Even