The Crucible Critical Lens

The Crucible Critical Lens J.F. Clarke once stated “the bravest of individuals is the one who obeys his or her conscience.” In other words, anyone who follows their heart, or does what they believe is right are the bravest people. Often many people who follow their heart have no support causing them to act and think for themselves. This quote is true because it can be hard to follow through with your actions when no one supports you. The play, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, supports this quote through the setting and the character of John Proctor, an average Puritan man. In life people have to make difficult choices, frequently this choice is whether or not to obey your conscience. Throughout The Crucible, this quote is seen with John Proctor. The play begins with multiple people being accused of witchcraft. Majority of these people being accused is women, one of which is Elizabeth Proctor. Elizabeth Proctor, John Proctor’s wife, is accused by Abagail Williams, their former servant. Abagail Williams is also the woman John Proctor had an affair with. John Proctor goes to court with the intentions of freeing his wife but instead he confesses his sin of lechery. The judge and many others were very astonished when John Proctor confessed. This is because John Proctor was known as a respectful man. When he confessed he lost his pride and his reputation. Mary Warren, John and Elizabeth Proctor’s maid, accuses John of being a witch. John Proctor is given the opportunity to save himself. He could only save himself by confessing and giving up other people. Although, this would mean he would have to live, he could have saved himself. Instead of lying John chose the truth. As a result, he said he was not a witch and he is hanged. This goes to show that John Proctor is brave and he obeyed his conscience. He did