The Crucible And John Proctor's Decisions

The mark of an effective story is the presence of a prominent protagonist, along with his antithetical antagonist. A paramount example of this opposition occurs in Arthur Miller’s famous work, The Crucible. The protagonist, John Proctor, faces many crises against not just the evil antagonist, Abigail Williams, but against himself as well. As evident, Proctor was exposed to omnipresent disaccord, and therefore forced to decide his position. Would he remain loyal to his principles, or the contrary, cowering to the threat of a stained reputation, or worse—death? In The Crucible, Proctor’s true character is revealed as he faces the momentous decision of whether to be heroic and sacrificial, or its converse.

Towering above all in importance to Proctor was his upstanding reputation. Proctor was one of the most revered constituents of the town. As one might presume, one of Proctor’s decisions required him to break this record he held in high regard. One occurrence was his admission of lechery and adultery, committed with Abigail, to the Salem Court. He makes this known when—after Mary Warren revokes her statement on Elizabeth

His sacrificial nature is once again proven when he opts for the latter, “mounting the gibbet like a saint” (Miller 133). Prior to that, he is asked to sign a statement of confession. He decides to opt against signing, proclaiming he would “blacken all of them” (Miller 143) that were to be “[hung] for their silence” (Miller 143). Despite the benefits of the easy way out, Proctor cited Elizabeth’s pregnancy in saying that he desired to be a good example for his children and “teach them to walk like men” (Miller 143). Elizabeth, in her abundant kindness, decided to support him in acquiring “his goodness” (Miller 145). Despite his longing for life, he desires his reputation until his