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The crucible essay on John Proctor's character
Character analysis of proctor in the crucible
Character of the proctor in the crucible
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Literary analysis/ argumentative essay
A judge's job is to serve out justice to their community. There are three characters in the crucible by Arthur Miller that basically controlled the decision of people's lives in Salem. Due to those three a lot of innocent people died. Although those characters had a weighty job they did not execute their jobs correctly. Reverend Parris, judge Hathorne, and judge Danforth were blind to the truth of no witchcraft in Salem.
Hathornes reasoning is very incorrect for a judge. Hes stating that just because Martha corey is reading books she's a witch. “...martha corey, there is abundant evidence in our hands to show that you have given yourself to the reading of fortunes do you dent it?” hathorne asks martha corey during her trial. She then says “ I am innocent to a witch. I know not what a witch is.” he then replies as if he has a mind of a child “ how do you know, then, that you are not a witch?” (Miller pg 83). This just goes to show you that his
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reasoning of evidence is very limited. He is a judge so he's supposed to acknowledge bad evidence. Hathorne is one of the main judges and he's supposed to know the truth and him accepting very badly presented evidence does not reflect the truth. Danforth is so blind to everything that he focused on only what he thinks he's capable of doing.
“Peace, judge Hathorne. Do you know who I am, Mr.Nurse?”(pg 89) No judge needs to show confidence like that, especially in a serious matter like this. He just proved that he's more focused on himself then the situation. “I judge Nothing. I tell you mister, I have seen marvels in this court. I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits; i have seen them stuck by pins and slashed by daggers. I have until this moment not the slightest reason to suspect that the children may be deceiving me.” Danforth tells Proctor with all confidence (pg 91). John Proctor gave judge danforth evidence to work on against witchcraft but judge Danforth is still blind. The decisions that he already made wouldn't let him change his mind because people already died because of it. Judge danforth never ceased the opportunity to open his head and realize the truth but instead he's still was blind to the
truth. Reverend Parris has been blind to the truth because he doesn't want to convince himself that it's a lie. “This is a clear attack on the court”- Parris attacks the evidence with this statement. (pg 94). Parris will not allow any idea against witchcraft, he will deny it in any way possible. “ smiling, but nervous because Danforth seems to be struck by Mary Warren's story”: “surely your excellency is not taken by this simple lie” (pg 108). Parris will not let anything against witchcraft go through his head, he is being blind to the truth on purpose so he will not be blamed for his family committing witchcraft rituals. Parris conscious did not allow the truth that there isn't witchcraft in Salem. Hawthorne's mind didn't think of what could've been the real evidence, Parris and Danforth were hard headed and didn't allow the truth a second to be thought of in salem Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris were blind to the truth and caused Salem to go crazy. So Arthur Miller had those characters caused the chaos, just like the red scare.
Judge Danforth stated in court, “Mr. Proctor, this morning your wife send me a claim in which she states that she is pregnant now.”(TC,3.1078). Proctor says, “But if she says she is pregnant, then she must be! That woman never lie, Mr. Danforth.”(TC,3.1078). These two statements show that John’s wife has a child coming and that being an honest woman that she is she wouldn’t lie about something so important. Proctor also says, “I have three children- how may I teach them to walk like men in world, and I sold my friends.” (TC,4.1110). This statement shows that he cares about his children and his friends since he is going to be hung for the wrongdoings that have happen. Also, we pity John Proctor for the way he feels that he should fix the problem of others being blamed for witchcraft by blaming himself for it instead. John said to Judge Danforth, “Then who will judge me? God in heaven, What is up, what is up? I think it is honest, I think so: I am no saint. Let Rebecca go like a saint; for me a fraud.”(TC,4.1107-1108). This represents that he takes the blame for the others to set them free because he believes he should be punished for his wrongdoing, not the good people of the village. His wrongdoing was having an affair with Abigail which made her want him so she started the witchcraft rumors to get him back by eliminating his wife, Elizabeth
Firstly, throughout the play Judge Danforth acts with pride and arrogance. At the commencement of act III Judge Danforth voices his view on the ongoing phase of the witchcraft trials by stating that “Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court shall believe and what it shall set aside?” (Miller 85). Here Danforth establishes an ultimatum to Giles Corey when he comes to defend his wife Martha Corey from the accusation of being a witch. Danforth sarcastically questions Giles Corey whether he has the authority to make any decision on the ongoing matter and thereby silences him. He makes it clear that no one else can determine what and how the court should act. In addition, the tone with which he delivers this dialogue is filled with arrogance as displayed by the movie “The crucible”. Overall, the picture profile of Judge Danforth created while saying these lines reveals his pride and haughtiness. Another instance where Judge Danforth reveals this attitude of his is when he snubs Francis Nurse for questioning his judgment and wisdom during the trials. In return Danforth replies “ And do you know that near four hundred are in jail... upon my signature”(Miller 87) and “ seventy-two condemned to hang by that signature?” (Miller 87). These lines show that Judge Danforth is proud of his actions and his power as a judg...
Judge Danforth, the deputy governor of Massachusetts and leading judge of the Salem witch trials, is described as a man who can do no wrong. The innocent citizens listen and obey to everything that Danforth requests. Part of the reason why Danforth believes he can do no wrong is because he feels he is guided by God, “The law, based upon the Bible, and the Bible, writ by Almighty God, forbid the practice of witchcraft, and describe death as the penalty thereof” (46). Danforth must follow God’s instructions and execute the accused citizens of witchcraft in Salem. As the play progresses the population of Salem decreases due to the amount of hangings, Danforth realizes Abigail is the one at fault. Danforth is put on a problematic situation. Danforth knows he’s killed so many innocent citizens but if he steps down from the court, he would be admitting to all his wrongdoings and he’s reputation would be ruined. When Danforth finds out Proctor is going to be hanged due to witchcraft he says, “Mr. Proctor, you have been notified, have you not? I see light in the sky, Mister; let you counsel with your wife, and may God help you turn your back on Hell.” (58). In this quote, Danforth is trying to persuade Proctor to confess of witchcraft even though he is innocent of it, just because he doesn’t want to be the one to hang him. Danforth is put in a very complicated
During “The Lottery”, the current lottery has yet to start and two townspeople, Mr Graves and Mr Warner, discuss how other towns have given up the lottery. When Mr Warner hears of town giving up the lottery he says “ pack of crazy fools… used to be a saying about’ lottery in june, corn be heavy soon’… there's always been a lottery” (297). Likewise, the roots of tradition have dug their way into the core of Salem. During The Crucible a court had been assembled to deal with the mass witch claims in salem. The judge is arguing with citizens over the validity of Abigail William’s (young lady accusing citizens of witchcraft) claims. When the judge’s actions are questioned, he boldly states that “ you must understand sir, that a person is either with this court or against it. There is no road in between.” (62) The court has always been associated with divine law. The court would appear to maintain the law in a way that convinced people it was ordained with God and in response the people would fully cooperate. Doing this for generations made the court unfathomable. Many dared not question the power of the court, how could they try to question
Judges are supposed to be fair, right? Go over evidence, listen to the testimonies and keep everything peaceful. Danforth didn’t he always favoured the Girls side of things because they had more of an influence on him than actual evidence. Danforth eventually was going to believe John proctor that the Girls were faking it and that everything was fake, but the Girls decided to copy Mary Warren and repeat everything she said and that make Danforth go crazy he believed the Girls because they had more of an influence. Some more evidence is that Danforth never really took evidence seriously except for John’s. When evidence about actual people came in Danforth never really did anything with it, especially when it came to Giles Corey because Danforth threw out
The Anti-hero in The Crucible A hero is defined as "someone admired for his bravery, great deeds or noble qualities". There are three categories to which all heroes can be classified into, one of which is the anti-hero genre. An anti-hero has the role of a hero thrust upon them.
witch trials in Salem. Surprisingly, you praised Judge Danforth for his “impartiality and tact” during this tragic set of trials. You could not be farther from the truth. Judge Danforth abused his judicial power, throughout the trials, to the fullest of his abilities. His abuses range from berating and coercing witness into saying what he wants them go, to blatantly ignoring testimony that refuted the
ruinously impact a whole community, is very aptly titled. By definition, a “crucible” is “a severe test,” and the challenges faced by Miller’s characters are many. The historical events dramatized in the play reflect how core human values, including truth, justice and love, are tested under life and death conditions. The trials of the characters and the values they hold dearly come when their simple, ordered world ceases to be black and white and easily deciphered, and is turned upside down in the gray shades of ambiguity.
In The Crucible play, although Abigail is the main concept of why the tragedy happened, Danforth has even more reasons to blame. The deputy governor of Massachusetts presides over the Salem witch trials. He is a stern, yet constructive man that is more interested in keeping the dignity and state of the court, than in executing justice or basically, just behaving with any sense of fairness. Miller forms this character as the play moves along as a static character, as he does not change throughout, and he believes in only what he believes. Judge Danforth, in his own mind is honest, and convinced that he is doing the right thing in the process of rooting out witchcraft.
In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, justice and injustice is portrayed through the characters of John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams. It is also shown through the minor characters of Mary Warren and Mercy Lewis, followers of Abigail Williams, and through Danforth and various townspeople.
Throughout The Crucible, Miller is concerned with conscience and guilt. Through the character Abigail Williams, he shows how people are willing to abandon their firmly-established values in order to conform with the majority and protect themselves. Those who refuse to part with their conscience, such as the character of John Proctor, are chastised for it. For this reason, the Salem witch trials raise a question of the administration of justice. During this time in the late 1600’s, people were peroccupied by a fear of the devil, due to their severe Puritan belief system. Nineteen innocent people are hanged on the signature of Deputy Governor Danforth, who has the authority to try, convict, and execute anyone he deems appropriate. However, we as readers sense little to no real malice in Danworth. Rather, ignorance and fear plague him. The mass
Although a strict society composed of high morality and disciplinary laws may be necessary for safety, it causes internal conflicts within the individuals. In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller a theocracy in Salem rules and guides the citizens into doing what is “right”, but eventually backfires due to issues of reputation and jealousy. Society has a lot of influence on the citizens, and with a bad reputation, it is nearly impossible to live in a Puritan society. Salem’s strict Puritanical social structure causes personal struggles for the individuals involved in the events of The Crucible, and then eventually these personal struggles affect the society overall.
Persecution has been a round for sometime and can be traced historically from the time of Jesus to the present time. Early Christians were persecuted for their faith in the hands of the Jews. Many Christians have been persecuted in history for their allegiance to Christ and forced to denounce Christ and others have been persecuted for failing to follow the laws of the land. The act of persecution is on the basis of religion, gender, race, differing beliefs and sex orientation. Persecution is a cruel and inhumane act that should not be supported since people are tortured to death. In the crucible, people were persecuted because of alleged witchcraft.
"Them that will not confess will hang. While I speak with God 's law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering. I should hang ten thousand that dared to rise against the law, and ocean of salt tears could not the resolution of the statutes." (Miller 129). Judge Danforth is not afraid to kill those that stand in his way. He is very similar to Abigail in that he will have innocent people killed to prove a point or to get what he wants. Its his way or the highway. If you do not cooperate, you will die. He abuses his power to get people to talk and give names. He is also very similar to Parris in his concern for power. Danforth holds all the power in the courtroom and basically forces you to talk and confess. If you don 't cooperate, then you will suffer the consequences. Ergo, it is a win-win situation for the accuser. "You are the high court, you word is good enough!" (Miller 143). Proctor later denounced himself for saying this, but the phrase is completely true. This quote is a reference to Danforth 's abuse of power throughout the witch trials. The high court deeply resembles the courts during the McCarthyism era. They held all the power and had the people 's lives in their hands. Danforth was prideful and believed himself to be a honest man. So whatever he thought was right, was declared as right. If they said you were guilty of being a witch, and hanged you, then no one in Salem did anything about it. They couldn 't say or do anything because the high court was always right. Many innocent people died because Danforth couldn 't admit he was wrong. If he did admit to being wrong, then the high court would lose power and it would of hurt his
He uses his influence to continue the witch trial by calling all defense against the witch trials an attempt to overthrow the court. He benefits from having the witch trials legitimized as they would help him consolidate his power over the parish and protect his reputation in Salem. The conceited actions of these individuals are influenced by power and contribute to the death and arrest of many in Salem. The corrupting influence of power is explored in The Crucible by the actions of individuals who possess it or seek to abuse it. These individuals act for their own benefit and in turn destroy their community.