The Role Of John Proctor In The Crucible

During the spring of 1692 the Puritans living in Salem, Massachusetts experienced the most tumultuous time of their lives when the Salem Witch Trials began. The trials brought out the best and the worst of all people living in the town. Those of power chose to exercise it, and those with none had to stand up for themselves. In the play The Crucible, this town is brought to life and examined on a very close level. Many of the townspeople are pulled into the trials and a few of them are brave enough to stand up to the court and even die for their beliefs. According to ___________, “The Devil is alive in Salem!”(Miller 71). One man, in particular, John Proctor, takes the role of a tragic hero in this play because he eventually learns to accept

In defiance of the request of Judge Danforth, Proctor says, “I am John Proctor! You will not use me!” (Miller 143) This shows that John has changed significantly. By saying this, he has been able to forgive himself and accept his sin. By saying this John is no longer being timid, rather, he is able to stand up to authority and stand up for those who deserve to be stood up for. By saying this, John Proctor shows that he is no longer a stubborn man, scared to taint his reputation, but an improved man who will stand up for his beliefs and what is right even if it is the death of him. However, John’s new way of thinking conflicts greatly with that of Danforth. While John learns to be tolerant, Judge Danforth completely lacks this ability. When Judge Danforth says, “And if she tell me, child, it were for harlotry, may God spread His mercy on you!” (Miller 111), he is telling Abigail that would be appalled with these actions. By saying “God spread His mercy” he shows that this is something he will not tolerate, and that God will be the final judge of her actions. The conflict between the ideas of John Proctor and Judge Danforth is important because it shows how different ways of thinking can lead to different lives with different outcomes. A lack of tolerance, as in the case of

At the beginning, he is concerned with his reputation, but at the end, he risks his life to save others. While this is true, changes occur on a much deeper level for John Proctor. Although he is just an ordinary sinner, his changes are important because he improves himself in an effort to overcome the internal and external dilemmas he is faced with. Externally, John is faced with a town and a legal system that is intolerant and unforgiving. Through his process of making a mistake, he not only has to try to face the unjust legal system, but he faces an internal conflict. John is out of line with the accepted belief of the town, and he is unable to forgive himself or to repair his relationship with his wife. These are problems that he does not know how to face at the beginning of the play, but as the play goes on, he adapts and learns. Elizabeth helps him understand the importance of forgiving oneself and is then able to do this. Furthermore, by forgiving himself, and having the confidence to admit it, he learns that there are more important things than life. This conflicts with Hale, who learned that life is more important than anything else, even one's beliefs. These conflicting ideas are important because they show that there is contention in the world. Ultimately, John and others can learn that conflicting ideas and contention should exist in the world, but would fail to do so without tolerance, and the ability to