The True Hero in The Crucible by Arthur Miller

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The True Hero of The Crucible

Through out the ages the inevitable dilemma of the balance of power is always seen where the governing super power wants to fullycontrol an individual through every aspect of their life. This description nodoubt, fully describes the Puritan belief system in Salem, where the church/court has the authority over everything or else itâˆ(tm)s of the devil. The conceptof individuality is highly resented making everyone follow the leader withoutthought. However there are those who question the authority when situation seemto surpass reason. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Proctor, astrong steadfast farmer resides in the small town of Salem, which is engulfedin hysteria due to the accusations of children that many of the townâˆ(tm)s peoplehad partaken in witchcraft. Among the accused is he (Proctor). Proctor is theonly individual willing to question the puritan belief system. He believes thatno man (church/court) should have control over the life of the other. Only Godhas the power to judge and condemn. Therefore, choosing the more tragic outcome by not allowing himself to lose his individuality and sense of self;conflict of ethics between what is right from wrong as well as sheer lack ofcommon sense. Through Proctor, miller shows how an individual should notallow society to divest their sense of self, Instead, hold unto onesindividuality as well as integrity and not let society have the upper hand,leading one to lose their sense of right and wrong.

While some chose life and falsely admitted towitchcraft, John Proctor stayed unconvinced by what society dictated(witchcraft) and assumed; that the girls were a manifestation from God. Heattempted to prove the children were making fraudulent claims. Proctor was very much in doubt of witchcraft inSalem. He slowly established that the children were lying in court with respectto their accusations of the townâˆ(tm)s people. Proctor argued that the accusationsgoing on in Salem were not necessarily based on witchcraft, instead, ∜awhores vengeance∝(110). Many people were Gods servants for a very long timeso ∜it was hard to think so pious of a woman/man be secretly a devils b**chafter seventy years of such good prayer∝(64). Miller uses this opportunityto show the reader that Proctor, unlike the townâˆ(tm)s people, ∜ is eventempered and not easily led.

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