The Dilemma of Conscience that Proctor Faces in Arthur Miller's The Crucible

The Dilemma of Conscience that Proctor Faces in Arthur Miller's The Crucible

Conscience is the awareness of right and wrong. In the Crucible, the

idea of conscience is strongly emphasised.

Throughout the play, John Proctor is faced with situations regarding

his family, friends, himself and moreover his moral conscience. The

idea of conscience in The Crucible is based very much on Christian

concepts, firstly the idea of morality, or conscience of right and

wrong, secondly the idea of the confession of sin, and finally the

idea of guilt and penance for sins.

Proctor is so patently the victim of hysteria that his very existence

is a challenge to the fanatic temperament, and he is consumed by its

malice.

Although Proctor is seen as a good man he is racked with guilt after

his lecherous affair with Abigail Williams. We learn that Abigail can

be very manipulative and continues to try and regain the affections if

Proctor. "Give me a word John, a soft word." Abigail refers to John

that he had "sweated like a stallion" Horses are often used to

represent passion and sexuality. Also, the verb "sweated" indicates

intense physical attraction. John however is tempted to reciprocate

the affections that Abigail has given to him, but is only held back by

his love for Elizabeth. "I will cut off my hand before I reach for you

again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched Abby". This shows that

Proctor is a man of moral conscience who is determined not to repeat

his mistakes.

Never the less this has an effect on his conscience. "He is a sinner,

a sinner not only against the moral fashion but against his own vision

of decent conduct."

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...t his intentions were for the good of his

family. Because John came to the conclusion, on his own and because it

was a righteous and un-selfish act, John Proctors decision to tell the

truth and be put to death for it is true and justifiable.

Such a courageous decision can parallel John to many martyrs as these

martyrs died for what the believed in, so to did John. John can also

be compared in some ways to Jesus Christ who is greatly remembered as

a saviour as he sacrificed himself to confirm his devotion to God and

faith in what he believes. Like Jesus, Johns views were went against

many peoples previously 'set in stone' series. We've always regarded

Jesus actions as moral and principled; similarly, we can regard

Proctors actions as pure and sufficient proof that he had a high

spiritual level and a strong conscience.