Truth Behind the Corrupt

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Recommended: Morality in the crucible

Honesty is the best policy; a phrase that implies that one should be honest at all times. This expression is often learned at a young age, and used in many different religions. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the Quaker village of Salem also upholds this psalm that is written in the Bible. One of the members of the community is a handsome farmer named John Proctor, a man who broke the laws of the Ten Commandments. However, despite all of John Proctor’s flaws, he is an exceptionally honest man. He confessed to his wife about doing adultery, admits to the court about the reality behind Abigail’s lies, and his adultery, and he maintains that truth until his death. Even though confessing brought him grief, and even his demise, John spoke out for the sake of not just himself, but everyone he cares for.
One of John Proctor’s many flaws is that he committed adultery with seventeen year old Abigail Williams. Elizabeth caught wind of this, and however reluctant, questioned John, who confessed the truth. Even though John had did not have to tell his wife about the affair, he still did, and by doing so “she [Elizabeth] has suddenly lost all faith in him [John]” (54). Proctor felt bad about lying to his wife, and admitted the truth, despite knowing that penalty for adultery is death. Seven months later, and Elizabeth still is holding a grudge about it. “I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you” (54), John says after being questioned, again, by Elizabeth about why he came home late. Proctor thinks about what is best for Elizabeth, which is why he admitted to his affair, despite the fact he lost her trust and favor because of it.
John Proctor goes to court after his wife, and friends are accused of witchcraft and t...

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...t of his sons growing up with a name that he was about to soil. John refuses to allow the Proctor family name, and the names of fellow accused to be tarnished. With John’s refusal to allow his admission to a lie be shown to the community, he is sentenced to death. As “the drums rattle like bones in the morning air” (145) John Proctor is hung for maintaining the truth of him never partaking in witchcraft.
After all John Proctor did, he is one of the most honest people in the play. He confessed many of his sins despite knowing that he could die for doing so, and upholding the truth even in face of adversity. John is an example of a sincere person, and he should look up to. As the saying goes, honesty is the best policy, and this expression should be sustained just as Proctor sustained it.

Works Cited

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York, NY: Penguin, 1996. Print

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