The Marriage of John and Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible by Arthur Miller
analytical Essay
1254 words
The Crucible is one of the most bizarre accounts of a historical event to date. The naïveté of the townspeople leads them down a road of madness and confusion, led by a shameless Puritan girl. Abigail Williams was a ruthless girl who showed no mercy upon accusing her victims of witchcraft. Knowing the entire town of Salem would believe her and the other girls, she would not hesitate at charging anyone she wished with the crime of the Devil’s work. However, a challenge arose to Abigail when she decided to accuse Elizabeth Proctor, and eventually her husband John, of witchcraft. The Proctor marriage was not just any simple marriage; it had its times of cold shoulders, heartfelt truth, and undying love. Indeed, Abigail had a strong motive for charging Elizabeth with evil divination. Seven months before the play takes place, Abigail and John had an affair while Abigail was working as a servant in their home. Eventually, John confessed and apologized to Elizabeth, pledging his fidelity to her. Nonetheless, at the time the play takes place, Elizabeth still hasn’t fully forgiven him, and gives him a hard time about it. Abigail confessed the pretense of her accusations to him when they were alone, and now he has no way to prove that she’s lying to the court. But because he was alone with her again, Elizabeth becomes angry with him. “ELIZABETH: You were alone with her? PROCTOR, stubbornly: For a moment alone, aye. ELIZABETH: Why, then, it is not as you told me. PROCTOR, anger rising: For a moment, I say. The others come in soon after. ELIZABETH, quietly-she has suddenly lost all faith in him: Do as you wish, then. PROCTOR: Woman, I will not have your suspicion any more. ELIZABETH: Then let you not earn it.” Elizabeth still doubts her husband because she feels that if it were any other girl that he had to go testify against, he would not hesitate. But, because it’s Abigail, he feels he has to think harder on making a decision. John Proctor feels he is now justified in becoming angry because for the seven months since his confession, he has done nothing but try to please his wife, and she still approaches him with suspicion and accusations. “PROCTOR: Spare me! You forget nothin’ and forgive nothin’. Learn charity, woman. I have gone tiptoe in this house all seven month since she is gone.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how elizabeth chooses to defend her husband and hide the truth from the judges, which causes him to be put in jail. elizabeth's love for john signals his end.
- Analyzes how elizabeth emerges as one of the strongest characters in the crucible. her continuous strength and determination contrasts with parris, hale, and proctor's moral impotence.
- Analyzes the impenetrable relationship between john and elizabeth proctor in the crucible. they represented a couple going through difficult marital problems, demonstrating their utmost love and respect for one another.
- Analyzes how the crucible is one of the most bizarre accounts of a historical event to date.
- Analyzes how john proctor feels he has to think harder on making a decision because it's abigail who approaches him with suspicion and accusations.
Related
- analytical
- The Crucible Foils Analysisanalytical essayThe Crucible, is a play by Arthur Miller, and it tells a story about the Salem Witch Trials. Abigail Williams plays an enormous part in the Salem Witch Trails by her constant lying, turning the trails into a mass hysteria. She is known in the town of Salem for causing trouble and being released from the Proctor’s house. Elizabeth Proctor released Abigail from her house under the suspicion that Abigail and John were having an affair. Elizabeth is very pure and upright and that is one of the reasons that these characters are foils from each other.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how abigail williams plays an enormous role in the salem witch trails by her constant lying, turning the trails into a mass hysteria.
- Analyzes how abigail and elizabeth are foils in the play by character traits, such as wicked, vengeful, and a liar.
- Analyzes how abigail and elizabeth are different since they both love john for different reasons. their religion is another reason for their differences.
- Analyzes how elizabeth and abigail's motives change throughout the play. elizabeth is cold towards john because of his affair, and she treats him better by loving and caring more for him.
- Concludes that elizabeth and abigail are clearly foils in the play the crucible. their character traits are opposite.
693 wordsRead More - crucibleanalytical essayIn the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller goes into detail about the historical event, the Salem witchcraft trials which took place in Massachusetts in 1692. The drama centers on John and Elizabeth Proctor and a young girl Abigail Williams, whom John Proctor has committed adultery with. In order to get rid of Elizabeth so that Abigail can have John to herself Abigail accuses John’s wife of witchcraft, a crime that was highly frowned upon. John proctor goes through a series of changes from being a horrible person who cheated on his wife to a tragic hero who will give up his life to say his wife. John proctor is viewed as many things in this play but at the end he come out an honest and noble man.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how arthur miller's play the crucible centers on john and elizabeth proctor and a young girl abigail williams, whom john has committed adultery with.
- Analyzes how john proctor is flawed and honorable. after having an affair with abigail, his wife has been unable to forgive him, and their marriage is unhappy.
- Analyzes how the court must find out whether or not abigail is lying and if they are wrongly accusing people of acts they did not part take in.
- Analyzes how john decided to give up his life and die as an honest man, but the court wanted him to sign a document stating that he confessed to witchcraft.
- Analyzes how the crucible showed that john was a courageous and strong man who fought for the right cause after being accused of witchcraft. he gave up his life to make his wife happy and their children happy.
685 wordsRead More - John Proctor: A Tragic Hero In The Crucible By Arthur Milleranalytical essayPride is often viewed as a positive characteristic. However, in the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller the protagonist’s, John Proctor, pride stands in his way making him a tragic hero.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the character of john proctor in arthur miller's play the crucible is a tragic hero because of his inability to accept his fate and his pride.
- Analyzes how john proctor, a well-respected farmer in salem, massachusetts, was viewed as superior leader along with his goodness of moral character.
- Analyzes how john proctor's tragic flaw is that he is impulsive and cannot forgive himself of his sins.
- Analyzes how john proctor applies the last of the four characteristics, which is eventual realization that his decisions or actions have caused his downfall, when he is hanged.
- Analyzes how john proctor is considered a tragic hero in arthur miller's play the crucible.
773 wordsRead More - Early in the play, Elizabeth discovered a secret affair between her husband, John Proctor, and their servant, Abby. This led Elizabeth to fire Abigail on the spot and continue with John. Elizabeth is done with Abby, claiming “I have forgot Abigail, and - And I”(Miller 54). Elizabeth wants to move on into the future, but Abigail is stuck in the past. This allows Elizabeth’s loyalty to her spouse to shine. The fact that Abigail, and even John Proctor have committed adultery, and Elizabeth kept John, shows how true Elizabeth is to her morals. In fact, it is the wrongdoings of Abigail that show through Elizabeth in a positive manner. This is the first case where we see a side of Elizabeth that is brought out through the actions of Abigail Williams. However, Elizabeth this may seem like the end of Abigail Williams, but it is far from the end. Abby feels she is the right woman for John Proctor, not Elizabeth. In an act of revenge, Abigail blames a needle found in her stomach on Elizabeth, claiming witchcraft, and having Elizabeth arrested. When Ezekiel Cheever bears an arrest warrant, Elizabeth is surprisingly calm, stating “John- I think I must go with them”(Miller 77).
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the actions of one character can bring out an otherwise dormant violent side of another character, such as elizabeth proctor and abigail williams in arthur miller's the crucible.
- Analyzes how elizabeth proctor and abigail williams are two very different people, not just by their age, but in the way they see right from wrong.
- Analyzes how elizabeth's devotion and love for her husband drove abigail crazy during a court hearing, and showed just how desperate and dark abby really is.
- Analyzes how abigail and elizabeth bring out another side of each other in the crucible, which is a recurring theme in the play.
720 wordsRead More - John Proctor’s Moral Dilemma in The Crucible by Arthur Milleranalytical essayIn The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, the madness of the Salem witch trials is explored in great detail. Arthur Miller was an American playwright, who was born in 1915. He grew up in a Jewish family in New York City. While attending the University of Michigan in the mid 1930’s, he began to characterize himself as a distinguished writer. His first plays were Honors at Dawn and No Villain. The Death of a Salesman, which he wrote in 1949, won him the Pulitzer Prize for literature.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that arthur miller's the crucible explores the madness of the salem witch trials in great detail.
- Analyzes how miller's the crucible takes place in salem, massachusetts, during the 17th century, when jealousy and suspicion poisoned the thinking of an entire town.
- Explains that john proctor faces many decisions in response to his moral dilemma to try to save his life.
- Analyzes how john decides not to reveal to the court that abigail has admitted to him in private that they were just sporting in the woods.
- Analyzes how john decides to give the supreme court a false confession to save his life, but his standing and reputation in the community is ruined.
- Analyzes how john must decide whether to die an honest man, true to himself or to give in and confess to witchcraft in order to save his life.
713 wordsRead More - The Crucible Lies Analysisanalytical essaySet in the 16th century based off the historical accounts of the Salem Witch Trials, The Crucible follows the village of Salem and the characters inhabiting the village, influenced by historical figures, as witch hysteria (started by young girls as a way to avoid getting in trouble) breaks out. Arthur Miller’s The Crucible revolves around the lies and deceitfulness the characters tell and exhibit with in an ironic twist that involves saving some, but also hurting
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how arthur miller's the crucible revolves around the lies and deceitfulness the characters tell and exhibit in an ironic twist that involves saving some, but also hurting others.
- Analyzes how the names mentioned by the girls in this scene are the outliers of the village, people with little to offer.
- Analyzes how the girl's lies have multiplied and strengthened to accuse prominent members of the village. they base their lies on actual information, but twist it to their will.
- Analyzes how john's relationship with abigail has already deceived elizabeth, making her suspicious of everything. he knows how elizabeth feels, and to ensure that he wouldn't be caught, told elizabeth a lie.
- Analyzes how elizabeth's lies are different from the rest of the play, but have disastrous consequences. the red scare was influenced by the lies and deceitfulness the characters tell and exhibit.
1227 wordsRead More - The Crucible: Life Is Full of Hard Decisionsanalytical essayWhen we are first introduced to John Proctor, we learn of his affair with Abigail Williams, Abigail's involvement in the accusations of witchcraft, and of John's desire to do what is honorable. Because of John's desire to do what is honorable, he ends the affair with Abigail and begins to attempt to repair his broken marriage. Abigail's jealously of Elizabeth and desire to be John's wife leads to Elizabeth's name being mentioned in court. Abigail's mention of Elizabeth's name in court reveals her attempt to get rid of Elizabeth for she knows Elizabeth will claim innocence and be hung if she does. When word reaches the Proctors, about Abigail's mentioning of Elizabeth's name in court, John concludes that Abigail's motive is to kill Elizabeth. Knowing this information, John is faced with his first difficult decision, save his reputation, keep his affair a secret, and let the accusations continue, or ruin his reputation, tell of his affair, and end the girls' accusations. Not wanting to ruin his good name, John decides to hold his tongue and because of this the trials continue and more accusations are made, some of which lead to his wife's and his friends arrest for witchcraft and bewitchment.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how john proctor's crucible illustrates that life is full of hard decisions that can bring hardship but sometimes turn out for the best.
- Analyzes how john proctor's affair with abigail williams, his involvement in witchcraft accusations, and his desire to do what is honorable lead him to end the affair.
- Narrates how john decides not to reveal his affair to end the witch trials and accusations. he is given the opportunity to discontinue his claims of his wife's innocence and will leave his innocent friends to be hanged.
- Analyzes how john's last life-changing decision was the hardest one he had to make. he chose to hang as an innocent man to stop the witch trials.
- Analyzes how john proctor made the right and wrong choices when it came to difficult decisions in his life. human nature causes one to lie to save them from going through the difficult part of a situation but in the process adds to the circumstance that made them lie.
765 wordsRead More - John Proctor's Death as Foolish in The Crucible In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, John Proctor, a proud and frustrated farmer of Salem, chooses to die rather than to give a false confession to witchcraft. Many might view this act as that of a selfless martyr; on the other hand, it can more readily be seen as the height of human stupidity in the face of vanity and pride. John Proctor is, at first, willing to offer up a false confession that his life may be spared. Inevitably, John Proctor possesses that fateful attribute known to fall fatal to many human beings - pride. While he has, indeed, been ashamed of his many sins throughout his life, Proctor's soul still clings to his pride and his good name, however soiled it may have become.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how john proctor, a proud and frustrated farmer of salem, dies rather than confessing to witchcraft in arthur miller's the crucible. it is the height of human stupidity in the face of vanity and pride.
- Analyzes how john proctor possesses a fateful attribute known to fall fatal to many human beings — pride. he wrestles with the realization that one more sin heaped upon the rest of his life will make precious little difference.
- Analyzes how proctor's pride seizes hold of him as he is told that his confession will be posted in the church, signed for all to see.
- Analyzes how human pride demands one last shred of dignity for john proctor. it boldly refuses to live without it because the loss of this life will throw others into turmoil.
- Analyzes how john proctor reverses his inner arguments between his sense and his pride. he convinces himself that life is not worth living without a certain amount of pride and dignity.
- Describes the legacy john proctor left to his wife, left homeless, without a husband, and his children, abandoned by their father in selfish vanity. what memory would he leave to the world which could not save him?
963 wordsRead More - Honor in Arthur Miller's The Crucibleanalytical essayElizabeth: I think she sees another meaning in that blush (59).” Elizabeth knows that there may be something going on between Proctor and Abigail. But proctor feels like he has to keep honor to his household and so he keeps everything that he feels inside and tries to hide it from his wife. Proctor does redeem himself by the end of the book. Where he refuses to have his name be used as a flag to be displayed as a symbol of the trials. This is most prominent when he is telling the judge, “
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how arthur miller's the crucible has excellent examples of how honor can manipulate people’s decisions in times of importance.
- Analyzes how john proctor had internal conflicts that tested his moral values. his feelings for abigail williams are brought to light when he and his wife, elizabeth are having a conversation.
- Analyzes how elizabeth knows that there may be something going on between proctor and abigail, but proctor feels like he has to keep honor to his household and tries to hide it from his wife.
- Analyzes how proctor decides to die with honor rather than have his friends suffer for his lies.
- Analyzes how elizabeth carries herself in her daily routine even when no one is around to pass judgment but god. she confronts proctor and he fights back to try to salvage what little honor she has left in him.
- Explains that giles corey was known to hold his family up so high that he was willing to give his life to make their family happy.
- Explains that honor can be defined by how one holds them in the public eye. honor can shape the very decisions without us even being aware of it.
1038 wordsRead More - The Tragic Hero of The Crucible by Arthur Milleranalytical essayJohn Proctor's decision to betray his wife causes internal struggles and ultimately leads to his catastrophe at the end of the drama. Hamartia is the primary error of the tragic hero which provokes part of his misfortune. Proctor's serious mistake of adultery delivers problems with Abigail Williams and indirectly causes his jailing. Abigail is a grown young woman, and yet she is an orphan who mistakes John Proctor?s sex for true love. When Proctor tells Abigail that the relationship can no longer continue, the girl becomes angry and sorrowful (1098). In order to prove Abigail?s sinfulness and to discredit her in front of the court, Proctor proclaims that he had an affair with this evil child. The outraged court officials summon Elizabeth Proctor to find the truth. When asked about her husband, Elizabeth?s soul is twisted, for reporting the truth could destroy her husband?s reputation, but lying means breaking her solemn oath to God. Because she is selfless, Elizabeth chooses to lie and save her husband, but perhaps condemn herself to hell for such a sin. This scene indicates dramatic irony, for Proctor knows that which Elizabeth is not ...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that a tragedy should bring fear and pity to the reader. a man's faults should come about because of an irreversible error on his part.
- Analyzes how john proctor's betrayal of his wife causes internal struggles and ultimately causes his catastrophe at the end of the drama.
- Analyzes how john proctor exposes hubris through his hatred of reverend parris, which is a necessary trait of the tragic hero.
- Analyzes how john proctor's sudden change through recognition and reversal is a major crisis in the play, and from this stems his catastrophe.
- Analyzes how the catastrophe reveals the tragedy and integrity of john proctor, making him a tragic hero through his struggles within the play.
- Explains miller, arthur, and ellen bowler's the crucible. upper saddle river: prentice hall, 1999.
- Analyzes how john proctor's decision to choose a death of honor over an honorable death is the major reversal of the play.
1393 wordsRead More