Self-Inflicted Pain in The Crucible
There is an old saying that goes: "we are our own worst enemies."
In relation to The Crucible, a play written by Arthur Miller, it
corresponds to the characters in the play perfectly. John Proctor, a
historical figure in the play, is "his own worst enemy" in every aspect.
Proctor's extreme honesty and exuberant dignity comes back at the end of
the play to haunt him, which directly leads to his tragic death.
Proctor's honesty ironically is one of the factor that causes him
to become "his own worst enemy." His candid remarks toward Reverend Parris,
pointing out that "many others who stay away from church these days (is)
because you (Parris) hardly mention God anymore." Anyone on the receiving
end of such blunt criticism is bound to resent it. And Reverend Parris did
show resentment by retaliating at the end. He testified against Proctor,
claiming that "this man is blackening my name", and constantly taking stabs
at Proctor's defense, for he appears not to quit until Proctor is finally
driven to the end. But this was not the only situation in which his honest
personality have betrayed him. John Proctor was heading toward despair at
the opening scene of the play, as the readers later found out that he had
committed adultery with Abigail. But he did not honestly tell his wife,
Elizabeth, the truth until the midst of the play. This later had influence
to the turning point of the play as Elizabeth confront to Danforth that
Proctor did not commit any sins, when in fact she is just trying to protect
him. What she doesn't realize is that John had already confessed his sins
to Danforth, therefore, Elizabeth's testimony imply that John was a liar.
As a consequence, John was convicted and was sentenced to be hang. John
Proctor's honesty have been a factor in depicting that he is indeed his
"own worst enemy".
In the same manner, John Proctor's exuberant sense of dignity have
also been a factor leading him to become "his own worst enemy". Even after
committing such nefarious acts of sins, he still have extreme pride and
dignity for his name. Therefore, he refuses to sign "[himself] to lies",
and have consequently denied the convictions. Danforth demands that he has
to have "legal proof" of his conviction in order for it to be certify. But
Proctor's sense of pride is forbidding him to sign his name on lies, and he
is willing to accept the consequence of being "hang high over the town".
Proctor, "with a cried of his own soul", claimed that "I have given you my
soul; leave me my name!". Nevertheless, Danforth demanded that Proctor be
hung. His dignity have cost him to lose "the greatest give God can give to
men, life". Thus, his dignity have also become a factor in portraying that
he evidently is his "own worst enemy".
Therefore, it is clear that John Proctor is indeed "his worst
enemy" in The Crucible. With his high sense of honesty and dignity, the
incidents that have been influenced by these characteristics have all
turned out against Proctor. These incidents eventually lead him to his
finally breathe, as "the new sun is pouring in upon her face, and the drums
rattle like bones in the morning air".
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