How Does John Proctor Change In The Crucible

John Proctor Evolving in the Crucible

People get placed in difficult situations that force them to change. Usually the change is for the better and that person overcomes an obstacle that was too difficult or made the person afraid to face. The crucible takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. John Proctor, a farmer and respected man in Salem, was accused of witchcraft and condemned to hang. In the crucible, written by Arthur Miller, John Proctor evolves into a better person from dealing with the after mass of the affair with Abigail, the time after Elizabeth’s arrest, and lastly, the day he is scheduled to hang.

After the affair with Abigail, John feels ashamed with himself. He feels like a hypocrite because “He is a sinner that went against his own vision of decent conduct” (Miller 1138). When he conversed with Abigail in act I he tells her “I will cut off my own hand before I’ll ever reach for you again” (Miller 1140). John also is short-tempered when he has to talk about Abigail or when Elizabeth acts coldly towards him. He is so short-tempered because he can’t forgive himself about committing adultery.

John angrily tells Mary “My wife would never die for me! I will bring your guts into your mouth but that goodness will not die for me!” (Miller 1181). When John and Mary get to the court house and start revealing all the flaws in Abigail’s accusation. Parris and Abigail start to shut them down, claiming they are lying and trying to over throw the court. In what almost seems like a haze, John shocks everyone when he exclaims “God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whore’s vengeance, and you must see it; I set myself entirely in your hands, I know you must see it now” (Miller 1206). John showed his remorse about the affair and revealed it to the court as an attempt to save his