He cared greatly about his family and wife even though Elizabeth was often distant towards him. In the end of the play, Proctor chooses to die rather than sign his confession, ratting out his friends and ruining his good name in the town. He did this to protect the reputation of his children so they won’t have to grow up with a lying father. Lying went against Protctors’ views and that ideal is prevalent throughout the entire play. It is revealed that as soon as he had an affair with Abigail, he confessed to Elizabeth the next day because of the guilt he was carrying around.
John Proctor’s wife is eventually accused by Abigail, because Abigail was jealous of her relationship with John. In John 's effort to save his wife, he is accused and by the end of the play he is hanged because he won’t falsely admit to being a witch. Some readers feel that John Proctor is flawed because of all the bad things he has done, he is actually honorable because he is honest.
This showcases the ‘true’ side of John Proctor's’ character, he is a man who although has committed clear sin, believes in doing the right thing by being moral, and fully and willingly attempts to do right
For example John Proctor wanted to confess to the charge of witchcraft, in order to save his life a long with his wife’s. Even though he wanted to live he refused to confess and ruin the names of the accused. He did this because he knew he wouldn’t be able to live with the guilt of condemning someone’s life. Another example would be Reverend Hale’s guilt of condeming Innocent lives to death. He then tried to get Proctor to sign the papers because Proctor could then survive.
Proctor confides to his wife that if he confesses to witchcraft so he may be able to live and spend time with her. “With great force of will, but not quite looking at her: I have been thinking I would confess to them, Elizabeth. (She shows nothing.) What say you? If I give them that?”(Act 4) Proctor is trying to overcome his fatal flaw of self-pride so that he can spend his life with his wife Elizabeth.
John Proctor did not want his name blackened by his scandal with Abigail. This hindered him from confessing to adultery with Abigail, which might halt the trial. At last in his confession to witchcraft, Proctor cried: “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies!
In the play The Crucible, the character John Proctor has a conflict with himself of maintaining his reputation and not ruining his own name. To begin, in act 1 John Proctor had a conversation with Abigail where she remembered him the affair but Proctor tried to maintain a position saying “I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach you again”(Miller 23) and when she kept talking about Proctor’s wife, he got upset and end with a “do you looking for whippin?”(Miller 24). This shows us that Proctor doesn’t want to remember this event that could ruin his reputation or relationship with his wife. Second, in Act 2 Elizabeth told Proctor to go testify against Abigail and prove that they were lying ,Proctor just answered with a “I’ll think on it”(Miller 53) and admitting
Proctor says, ¨Then let you come out and call them wrong. Did you consult the wardens before you called this minister to look for details?¨ (I. 540-542). John is talking to Parris about Betty and her condition. Parris is thinking about blaming it on witchcraft without even asking a doctor first but Proctor is trying to convince him otherwise. This shows that from the beginning John is trying to deny that there is witchcraft and keep the rumors from spreading.
Were they born this morning as clean as God’s fingers”(1243)? He suggests that the individuals that accuse everyone are being treated like they are not capable of being dishonest, but they are still human like everyone else. He challenges the idea that the accusers are more reliable than the accused. Because his only intention during the trials is to preserve his honest character, Proctor is serving his own
Nothing’s spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before” (Miller 1352). He is ultimately giving up his confession even though he knows it is not the right thing to do. A previous break to Proctor’s Christianity beliefs is when he commits adultery; however, instead of standing up for himself he gives into the court’s desire. When John Proctor confesses, his actions prove a huge weakness John Proctor has. However, his actions of confessing result in a strength.
Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave my name!” (Act IV pg.1333)
In Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, many characters change throughout the story. One that stands out is Reverend John Hale. In the beginning he believes the false accusations of Abigail and the other girls. After listening to John Proctor and Mary Warren he realizes their story is more believable. It broke him to know that he was at fault for 19 innocent deaths.
Life or Death: Did John Proctor Make the Right Decision? Countless people have learned about the lies and horrors of witches in 1692 during the Salem Witch trials. In The Crucible, a tragedy written by Arthur Miller, it displays the tragedy and wrongful convictions of the townsfolk of Salem. One notable character being John Proctor a well respected upperclassman in Salem who was willing to confess his sins, sacrificing his life for the greater good of his family and friends. There are many reasons people choose to do things in life whether or not they will turn out well in the end.
The Reason Behind John Proctor's Downfall In The Crucible, John Proctor is considered to be a tragic hero because he lets his pride get the best of him. He is faced with two difficult decisions and a sinful past that has come back to haunt him. While he yearns to make the right decision, he knows that the consequences could greatly affect him for the rest of his life. In the end, John possesses a tragic flaw of extreme pride, that will ultimately lead to his destruction.
Your reputation is everything, or at least to John Proctor it was. You want people to look at you in the best way possible. You also want to be honest and stand up for what is right. Even if someone wants you to do the wrong thing, you should stand up for what you know is right. That is exactly what John Proctor did.