How Is John Proctor Presented In The Crucible

John Proctor

John Proctor is considered the most significant character in the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller. The play mainly focuses on guilt and the forgiveness of oneself. Miller illustrates this concept through the actions of Proctor. Miller takes John’s guilt as an example and shows in the play how he struggles with his guilt and forgives himself. John Proctor is a well-known farmer and respected person within Salem village, who struggles with his guilt of committing adultery. John had an affair with Abigail Williams, and subsequently, he feels guilty and tries to fix the situation by ignoring Abigail and persuading her that there is no connection between them. Seven months after the end of the affair with Abigail,

John and his servant Mary Warren found evidence against Abigail and visited the court to free his wife. He had a deposition with 91 signatures confirming that Elizabeth was a good Christian woman that had never been in contact with devil through witchcraft. However, all his work seemed to be inefficacious. Their only hope was on Mary Warren,John asked Mary to say that she had not seen any spirit and it was a pretence. Unfortunately, the judge believed every word told by Abigail. John decided to confess to the court about committing adultery with Abigail. ”Oh, Francis, I wish you had some evil in you that you might know me!”(102). John says this after confessing to the court about his adultery to Francis who came to the court with him to protect his wife but, he doesn't believe it. But Francis is convinced that John is a rancorous man. John’s guilt at this point shows his desperation for forgiveness, which is important. He was not able to save his life because Elizabeth told the court that he was a good man, in order to save his good name. Therefore, by the order of the judge, John was also taken to jail all the while with anger and passion trying to convince Danforth about his wrongdoings.” A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer,I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours Danforth! For them that quail now when you know in all your black hearts that be fraud - God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will together!”(111) John is saying how Danforth is accusing innocent people and that even he knows the truth now. He symbolizes God in his speech and tries to make Danforth scared about his guilt. He also underscores that Danforth is as guilty as him and they will burn in hell together. This quote makes the play The Crucible more dramatic in developing the theme of