John Proctor Character Analysis

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Davis 1 Lacey Davis Martin 1 The Crucible Essay 2, April, 2014 Reputation of a Good Man. John Proctor, the man seen most as the protagonist to the book: The Crucible. In the past, not long from the time the play was set in, Proctor was extricated from the affairs he had done. He had a fine life, a loving wife, two sons, and a healthy farm. He was a respectable member of the Salem community, and most importantly, he respected himself. This all went downhill when Proctor had an affair with Abigail Williams, who was 17 at the time. John had committed adultery, and this one shameful encounter obliderated his most prized possession: his self-respect. Holding an upright and yet brusque description, we see John Proctor first in the play when he enters shortly after Abigail, Mercy and Mary discuss the happenings of the night before. Before long, he orders Mary back home, and after Mercy slips away due to Proctors presence him and Abigail are left alone. Abigail immediately brings up her and Proctor's "relationship", and how she waits for him at night, he solemnly states: "Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touch, Abby." John wishes to forget of his sin, he is ashamed of it, and clearly shows that he does not want to repeat such an incident in the future. He is caged by guilt and the emotional weight of the play rests on Proctor's quest to regain his lost self-image, his lost goodness. He is strongly committed to his wife, Elizabeth, and is determined to avoid any further contact with Abigail. Unfortunately, Abigail cannot simply dissipate the happening so easily. John knows what he's done, and tries ever so hard to please... ... middle of paper ... ...n his path to redemption. In order to save his life, he is tempted into admitting that he is indeed in league with the Devil. But if done he would be telling a terrible lie and is also blackening the names of all the other prisoners who've refused to give in. When John is asked to actually sign his name, he refuses. The act of putting his name to paper is just too much. By signing his name he would have signed away his soul. Though he would have saved his life, his goodness would've been forever out of his reach. "...You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs...." With this final valiant act, John Proctor comes to a kind of peace with himself. John Proctors transcend from shame to redemption is what forms the story of The Crucible.

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