The Crucible John Proctor Character Analysis
Kate-Lynn Gomerich
M. Haddou
English 12C
Individual Character Project
November 22, 2014
John Proctors Role in “The Crucible” To be puritan is to be pure of any physical or mental pleasure; when pressure built the citizens of Salem massed into a frenzy of noose casting. Only to realize the heavy weight of truth as a course rope began to constrict around their necks. In “The Crucible” a story taking place in Salem, Massachusetts: the restricting ways of puritan life began to take their toll on the human population, the inability to be flawed or express one’s personal thoughts lead to a series of hysterical outbreaks with catastrophic effects known as the Salem witch hunt. The impossible expectations laid ground for a series of exhilarating …show more content…
Proctor was arrested for contempt of the court as a result of attempting to defend his wife, Elizabeth against Abigail’s accusations. “A person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there is no road between.” (94) As Danforth states, there is no middle ground in the eyes of the law, you are either with the court, or you are against it and so against God. When Proctor and two others, Giles Corey and Francis Nurse come to the court with evidence of their wives innocence, the court refuses to see it. Both Giles and proctor are arrested for contempt of the court, which “proves” they are allied with the devil. Proctor refuses to make his confession public not for the sake of his reputation but to save his soul. “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him.” (Elizabeth Proctor, 145) Faced with a dilemma, Proctor had to choose: confess to witchcraft, a lie to save his life, or die like a saint, which he believes himself not to be. It is no longer his reputation but his soul that is at stake. He chooses not to lie, completely redeeming himself and regaining his honor while preserving the reputation of his friends. Proctors tragic death ends the witch hunt. “If you think God wills you to raise rebellion, Mr. Danforth, you are mistaken!” (Hale, 30) Danforth refused to spare proctor without a proper confession because it would cast doubt upon the guilt of those already executed. However, friends of Proctor will “weep” for his death, they know him to be innocent of witchcraft and his death without a confession caused people to question the guilt of all those hung, people came to their senses and the witch hunt was concluded. In total: The courts intolerance and refusal to relent respected people were arrested. These respected people (like proctor) were seen as saints in Salem, without
M. Haddou
English 12C
Individual Character Project
November 22, 2014
John Proctors Role in “The Crucible” To be puritan is to be pure of any physical or mental pleasure; when pressure built the citizens of Salem massed into a frenzy of noose casting. Only to realize the heavy weight of truth as a course rope began to constrict around their necks. In “The Crucible” a story taking place in Salem, Massachusetts: the restricting ways of puritan life began to take their toll on the human population, the inability to be flawed or express one’s personal thoughts lead to a series of hysterical outbreaks with catastrophic effects known as the Salem witch hunt. The impossible expectations laid ground for a series of exhilarating …show more content…
Proctor was arrested for contempt of the court as a result of attempting to defend his wife, Elizabeth against Abigail’s accusations. “A person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there is no road between.” (94) As Danforth states, there is no middle ground in the eyes of the law, you are either with the court, or you are against it and so against God. When Proctor and two others, Giles Corey and Francis Nurse come to the court with evidence of their wives innocence, the court refuses to see it. Both Giles and proctor are arrested for contempt of the court, which “proves” they are allied with the devil. Proctor refuses to make his confession public not for the sake of his reputation but to save his soul. “He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him.” (Elizabeth Proctor, 145) Faced with a dilemma, Proctor had to choose: confess to witchcraft, a lie to save his life, or die like a saint, which he believes himself not to be. It is no longer his reputation but his soul that is at stake. He chooses not to lie, completely redeeming himself and regaining his honor while preserving the reputation of his friends. Proctors tragic death ends the witch hunt. “If you think God wills you to raise rebellion, Mr. Danforth, you are mistaken!” (Hale, 30) Danforth refused to spare proctor without a proper confession because it would cast doubt upon the guilt of those already executed. However, friends of Proctor will “weep” for his death, they know him to be innocent of witchcraft and his death without a confession caused people to question the guilt of all those hung, people came to their senses and the witch hunt was concluded. In total: The courts intolerance and refusal to relent respected people were arrested. These respected people (like proctor) were seen as saints in Salem, without