In McCarthy’s The Road and Miller’s The Crucible, the protagonists' experiences with instinct, fear, and hope ultimately demonstrate their moral strength as individuals. This essay will examine how the protagonists in both works utilize instinct, confront fear, and hold onto hope to navigate their respective challenges, ultimately highlighting the profound moral strength that guides their actions and decisions in the face of overwhelming adversity. By analyzing these themes, we gain a deeper understanding of the human condition and the enduring power of ethical conviction. Both The Road and The Crucible present intense scenarios where the characters' moral fiber is tested, revealing how deeply ingrained principles and virtues can shine through …show more content…
In The Road, the father must commit to protecting his son from the harsh realities of the apocalyptic world they live in. This includes raising the boy, providing food for him, and posing as a protector in dangerous situations. “He fashioned sweeps from two old brooms he’d found and wired them to the cart to clear the limbs from the road in front of the wheels and he put the boy in the basket and stood on the rear rail like a dog musher” (pg 19). This resourcefulness and determination to shield his son from harm demonstrates the father's instinctual drive to ensure his child's safety and well-being. His actions reflect a deep moral strength, highlighting his unwavering commitment to his son's survival and their shared humanity in a world devoid of it. Similarly, in The Crucible, John Proctor relies on his instinct to protect his wife from her ghastly allegations. The “Herrick” is a sham! Herrick, don’t chain her! Damn you, man, you will not chain her! Off to the tees! I’ll not have to! I will not have her chained!” (page 78). Proctor's passionate outburst against chaining his wife reveals his deep instinct to defend her dignity and humanity amidst the hysteria. This act underscores his moral strength, as he stands against the unjust treatment of his loved …show more content…
Hope transcends the harsh realities that each character lives in, and underscores an element of fortitude and determination that fuels their moral strength. In The Road, the Man’s hope transcends mere survival; it encompasses a vision of returning to a state of normalcy on their journey south. “He dreamt of walking in a flowering wood where birds flew before them, he and the child and the sky was aching blue, but he was learning how to wake himself from such siren worlds” (page 18). This passage illustrates the Man's yearning for a world untouched by devastation, where beauty and peace prevail, yet it also reveals his growing awareness of the harsh reality, prompting him to temper his hopes with a sense of caution and pragmatism. In The Crucible, John showcases his hope for redemption by retaining his composure and positivity; representing a confident hopefulness that he has in justice throughout the witch trials. “‘Who charged her?’ ‘Why, Abigail Williams charged her.’ ‘On what proof, what proof?’” (page 73). Proctor's unwavering belief in the possibility of justice and his persistent questioning of the evidence against his wife reflect his hope that truth and integrity will ultimately prevail. This hope drives him to challenge the court's proceedings, reinforcing his moral strength and determination to protect his loved ones. Each novel also showcases significant
Point by Point Comparison In 1953, author Arthur Miller released his newest play, “The Crucible.” Set in Salem, Massachusetts during the 1692 Salem Witch trials, Miller’s play connects the effects of perjury in Puritan Massachusetts to Communist fearing America in the 1950s, a severe crucible for both Puritans and Americans alike. In 1996, a film version of Arthur Miller’s play was released, starring Daniel Day Lewis as John Proctor, Winona Ryder as Abigail Williams, and Joan Allen as Elizabeth Proctor. The release of the film not only further enhanced the original storyline with added suspense and drama, but also enabled the reader to more clearly comprehend the storyline.
I’m sure you’ve debated with yourself many times the book or the movie. This essay proves to you why the movie version is so much better. John Proctor was without a single doubt the best character in The Crucible. The film did an impeccable job of conveying a much better picture of what truly happened in the years 1692 and 1693. Even though many people may consider the book to be the better version of The Crucible their reasons do not compare to the reasons I have written to prove that the movie is the best version. The movie did a much better version of giving us more details and more personality out of the characters such as John Proctor. In the book, John Proctor was a dry and dull character but in the movie, he is incredibly influential.
Purist Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 suffered from a rapidly increasing phenomenon: witchcraft accusations and trials. The Crucible is a play that recounts the times of this incident. For the most part, it follows a man known as John Proctor. He is a sensible, honest, and hardworking man who made the mistake of succumbing to lust which sets off a chain of events that leads to the witch trials, and to his own demise. Arthur Miller’s The Crucible’s protagonist John Proctor proves to be a flawed human being who struggles to make sense of his past relationship with Abigail, his love for his wife, and his pride.
Throughout Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and the duration of the Salem Witch Trials, John Proctor is a very well known community man who everyone sees as a kind, trustworthy, and loyal man. He may be seen this way, but in his possession he holds a secret that will then lead to his downfall. John Proctor starts to lose who he really is and then turns into someone who people don’t even recognize anymore. This change begins when there is a possibility that he may lose his life when confronted to the court. Proctor’s state plays a big part in leading up to his dreadful death. Such as his affair, the accusation of his wife, and the tensions taking place in his marriage.
John Proctor depicts a courageous individual with an image of a sincere and an honorable man, not only in minds of the Salem community, but also in his own. His death implies more than a “tragedy”, but rather a strong action that inspires and encourages citizens in Salem to follow his footstep for change. Proctor is frustrated at how the court for believing Abigail and not the innocents. He says, “My wife is innocent, except she knew a whore when she saw one! You are pulling Heaven down and raising up a whore!” (Act III). He is infuriated that the officials in the court believe the ridiculous pretenses and acting of the Salem girls, that everyone’s the belief in god seems to be deteriorating.
The play “The Crucible” written by Arthur Miller depicts the horror and fear suffered due to the Salem witch trials; where countless were condemned due to suspicion of witchcraft. Through the play, the reader builds strong emotional connections to the characters. John Proctor, the play’s protagonist, exhibits complex emotions and character traits. These character traits cause him to heavily affect the course of the play as well as the fates of the other characters. These traits include pride, bravery, and integrity. Due to John Proctor’s sense of prideful, blunt spoken, and integrity will undoubtedly leads to his death, but will also leaves a strong lasting impact on the play.
When people are put in tense and difficult situations, they lose control. John and Elizabeth Proctor, and Mary warren, all exhibit this throughput the play. John exhibits courage, in the sense that he found the strength to keep his name and lose his life rather than keep sinning and lie. Mary Warren displays weakness when she falls to Abby once again, in the end, instead of sticking to her story and assisting John, in freeing Elizabeth. Elizabeth illustrated how difficult it was to tell the truth in life or death situations. All three of these characters, and their traits, represent what “The Crucible,” is about, courage, weakness, and
Throughout the drama, The Crucible, the characters are faced with chilling choices as they maneuver through a world that has lost its moral compass. The crucibles, the serious tests, of their dearly held values put them in the position of having to figure out what is right and true in a world turned upside down. The value of truth is tested when lies are rewarded and truth brings suffering, shame and the scaffold of the gallows. The value of justice is challenged by a system that comes to be based on coerced confessions, unsubstantiated charges and self-serving political scheming. The value of love, be it of husband and wife or of friends and community, is put to the test where true love is exemplified by fatal choices.
John Proctor’s life made a very drastic change throughout this time period and his life. Not only did he lose his life to his wrong doings, he lost his wife before and his family. Proctor experiences various emotions throughout “The Crucible” and he overcomes many obstacles within
As any tragic hero, Proctor is overcome by Abigail, a true symbol of evil. Proctor faces defeat when the court officials come to take Elizabeth away. Proctor is so infuriated by this assault on his house that he rips the warrant and tells them to leave rather forcefully saying, “Damn the Deputy Governor! Out of my house!”(77), demonstrating his intense love for his wife. Proctor shows signs of being a tragic hero when he attempts to go into court to save his wife and prove the girls liars. However, he ends up being accused himself. Mary Warren is in court testifying when she suddenly breaks down “hysterically, pointing at Proctor, fearful of him: My name, he want my name.
Among those who knew the truth about the accusations in Salem was John Proctor, a farmer who lived just outside of Salem. The author incorporates the idea of McCarthyism in Salem in relation to history as well as giving reason for such corruption. The panic induced by the Salem witch trials, reminiscent of that caused by McCarthyism in the red scare, forces John Proctor to reevaluate his beliefs. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, John Proctor’s characteristics and morals create an internal conflict between his honesty and his religious affiliation that leads to a moral dilemma between the preservation of his name and his confession to witchcraft, which eventually leads to his physical and metaphorical death as a character. John Proctor’s devotion to his religion gives him a choice between doing whats right or saving his life by succumbing to the pressure to confess falsely.
In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, various characters, whether it is from physical trials or unseen personal struggles, experience some kind of major conflict. There are those who spend every day in fear, wondering whether or not they will be falsely accused of witchcraft. There are others who struggle with more internal trials, such as forgiving those who have hurt them. The protagonist, John Proctor, was a man of strong moral constitution, and held himself to a high standard for the sake of his good name and family. As a result of this, he struggled with a major internal conflict throughout the play.
In the end, John Proctor endures all crucibles, standing true to his beliefs and his philosophies, but in doing so, he is condemned to hang. Erroneous mistakes in judgment lead to far worse situations, and though through valiant attempts, he tries to save himself, Proctor only digs himself deeper, until he is in too deep to escape. Blinded by lust, he temporarily neglects his wife and principles. Though his ultimate fate may seem exceptionally phenomenal or heroic, what makes him a tragic hero is that he is helplessly and fundamentally flawed by very human characteristics. His tragic tale impresses upon the audience that one must never let his fleeting desires barricade and obstruct his heart, where his true and rightful judgments lie.
“It’s strange how I knew you, but I suppose you look as such a good soul should. We have all heard of your great charities in Beverly.” This quote, stated by Reverend Hale, referring to Rebecca Nurse explains how others in the town think very highly of her. Therefore, when Rebecca is accused of using witchcraft to murder Ann Putnam's babies during the Salem Witchcraft Trials, the townspeople suggest that it may be a hoax. I can relate to Rebecca Nurse because we are both greatly understanding, extremely skeptical, and very nurturing.
John 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 ...