John Proctor Guilt Quotes In The Crucible
The Tragic Hero
Aristotle used the word hamartia, or miscalculation, to portray a fatal flaw of the tragic hero that leads to an unavoidable, needless death. In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, John Proctor falls victim to his virtuous trait during the course of the infamous Salem witch hunts. Proctor’s pride is put through many tests throughout the story, as it sets in motion a cascade of guilt that ultimately leads to his fatal downfall.
Proctor hesitates in the beginning of the novel to tell the truth about the girls’ mischiefs because he would have to testify against Abby Williams and ruin his good name in the process, but his reluctance also sets in motion his undoing. Proctor is a common man in the Puritan society, and his words do not …show more content…
After some time in isolation, Proctor has to decide if he want so lie to save his life or remain silent and hang without physical proof of his connection with the devil. In the last act of pride, Proctor angrily claims, “You will not use me! I am no Sarah Good or Tituba, I am John Proctor! You will not use me! It is no part of salvation that you should use me!” (142). Proctor knows that some people are suspicious of the whole witch hunts, and would rather die doing the right thing then sin again and convict others. Furthermore, Proctor feels the guilt of his decision if he were to confession expressed in the outburst, “Beguile me not! I blacken all of them when this is nailed to the church the very day they hang for silence!” (143). He clearly knows that his confession will condemn the very people he wants to protect, so he cannot give the court the satisfaction they seek. In his last famous words, Proctor realizes he is good and he has proven it to himself. “You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in Procter now. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs” (144). In the end, Proctor’s pride forces the truth out and in way saves his soul from damnation because he is doing the honest thing by not giving the court his signature. This unexpected move from Proctor is his way of recompesenating for the sins he has done, and leaving a profound impact on the Puritan
Aristotle used the word hamartia, or miscalculation, to portray a fatal flaw of the tragic hero that leads to an unavoidable, needless death. In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, John Proctor falls victim to his virtuous trait during the course of the infamous Salem witch hunts. Proctor’s pride is put through many tests throughout the story, as it sets in motion a cascade of guilt that ultimately leads to his fatal downfall.
Proctor hesitates in the beginning of the novel to tell the truth about the girls’ mischiefs because he would have to testify against Abby Williams and ruin his good name in the process, but his reluctance also sets in motion his undoing. Proctor is a common man in the Puritan society, and his words do not …show more content…
After some time in isolation, Proctor has to decide if he want so lie to save his life or remain silent and hang without physical proof of his connection with the devil. In the last act of pride, Proctor angrily claims, “You will not use me! I am no Sarah Good or Tituba, I am John Proctor! You will not use me! It is no part of salvation that you should use me!” (142). Proctor knows that some people are suspicious of the whole witch hunts, and would rather die doing the right thing then sin again and convict others. Furthermore, Proctor feels the guilt of his decision if he were to confession expressed in the outburst, “Beguile me not! I blacken all of them when this is nailed to the church the very day they hang for silence!” (143). He clearly knows that his confession will condemn the very people he wants to protect, so he cannot give the court the satisfaction they seek. In his last famous words, Proctor realizes he is good and he has proven it to himself. “You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in Procter now. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs” (144). In the end, Proctor’s pride forces the truth out and in way saves his soul from damnation because he is doing the honest thing by not giving the court his signature. This unexpected move from Proctor is his way of recompesenating for the sins he has done, and leaving a profound impact on the Puritan