In 1692, abounding settlers in Salem, Massachusetts initiated alleged victims of performing witchcraft, not only the accusers accomplished of having many people imprisoned but the community executed those pure, innocent crowd as well. Now in present-day, we must determine who will be the statue here in Salem, a symbol who individually endure against the trials. As we all perceive, there could only be a hero to represent the statue of heroism. From a high schooler perspective, I believe John Proctor, one of the victims to be killed, should be the embodiment of the memorial statue. John Proctor has demonstrated countless heroism throughout the witch trials whereas no soul could correlate his bravery of how he managed to act around three centuries ago.
One of John Proctor's heroism deeds happened when his cherished wife, Elizabeth Proctor, was imprisoned. In order to save his wife, he must confess about him concealing his affair with Abigail Williams. When he revealed to the court about him committing adultery, he knew it would affect reputation diverting from him, exhibiting his devotion towards his spouse. Not only does he know his reputation will be taken away, but he accepts that he will get in trouble
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for breaking one of the Ten Commandments than worrying about his wife suffering through the trials. The way John Proctor surrendered his reputation being take away to save his wife was a true act of heroism. Additional to John Proctor attempting to save his wife by confessing he committed adultery was also a chance to stop Abigail once and for all.
Abigail is the mastermind of the group of girls who accused the citizens of Salem of practicing witchcraft and passionately yearning for John Proctor. Abigail started accusing Elizabeth in order to have possession of John, but to her disadvantage, John can inform the court that she allowed John to commit adultery with her. This can shut down Abigail pointing fingers to innocent people and ended the trials right there and then, John Proctor could have finished the trials if it weren't for Elizabeth not confessing the truth that he committed adultery. With John confessing adultery to stop Abigail accusing was an act of
bravery. Another extraordinary act of boldness from John Proctor was when he ripped the confession into pieces. Proctor's dignity, pride, and honor matter more to him than having a confession filled with lies by emotionally declaring,"Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” (993)His name mattered more to him more than being hanged to death displaying he chose his life to end with honor than having a fulfilling life with lies. Along with having his pride, it is also seen that he finally forgave himself throughout the mistakes he made throughout his life which also gave him the courage to go to death. With John Proctor shredding the confession and gained his dignity back, but he also forgave himself implying he was a true hero. Throughout the completion of the trials, we have learned that he was able to accomplish whatever his mindset too and focus on others beyond himself. John Proctor was a man who was able to do many things. He was a true hero with courage and no matter what anybody aforementioned, they were powerless to stop him. John Proctor stood bravely in the face of death and has gained his pride once again after forgiving himself to attain the good within him. Through many of the hardships of the trials, John Proctor has shown to be a hero and deserves to be the statue of heroism.
Elizabeth and John start to feel the tension when Elizabeth tries to convince John about going to court and persecuting Abigail but he refuses. When he disputes with his wife he argues, “you will judge me no more Elizabeth I have good reason to charge fraud on Abigail and I will think on it” (193). Proctor is not completely satisfied about throwing Abigail under the bus because he doesn’t want to initially hurt her and he would lose his respect in the town if he did. So he isn’t convinced about the fact that his wife is trying to get him to charge fraud at this point of the play. Soon afterward Mary the proctor’s servant comes home with news that Elizabeth has been convicted of witchcraft as well and was arrested by the sheriff in town to be brought to the trials.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller is set in Salem in a Puritan community. John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Reverend Hale, Reverend Paris, and Abigail are the main characters. The book is about witchcraft or what the town thinks is witchcraft. John Proctor is the tragic hero because he is loving, loyal, authoritative, but his tragic flaw is his temper.
She was put in the middle of the situation because she lied to the court about the affair with Abigail not knowing that John already admitted to it. That situation made both Elizabeth and John look bad. Some say that the truths will you set you free but in this case all it did was digging a deeper hole for the Proctor’s. Abigail tried to say that Elizabeth was dancing with the devil and the people believed it and started prosecuting every potential
Her motive for accusing others of witchcraft is because she wants to get rid of Elizabeth so that she can be John’s “perfect wife,” and because she does not want to get in trouble. Abigail is the perfect foil for anyone who is even slightly honest. Elizabeth, on the other hand, “have never lied.” John Proctor said to Danforth, “There are them that cannot sing, and them that cannot weep--my wife cannot lie.” She fires Abigail as her servant when she finds out about an affair between Abigail and her husband.
The primary dramatic focus in the play The Crucible is the moral struggle of its protagonist, John Proctor. Certain characteristics of John Proctor's character and also the environment of the Puritanical Salem alleviated this problem for him. The main issues running through out the play are a series of dilemmas that John Proctor faces. The first and foremost of these is his guilt over his adulterous affair with Abigail Williams, the second his hesitation to testify against Abigail to bring out the truth and the third, his final decision to make the ultimate sacrifice.
From the start of the play, Abigail already has a bad reputation for committing adultery. Elizabeth Proctor had kicked her out of their home because Elizabeth knew of the affair that was going on between Abigail and John. This tarnished her reputation and for that, Abigail wanted to get revenge on Elizabeth Proctor. “She is blackening my name in the village! She is telling lies about me! She is a cold, sniveling woman, and you bend to her!” This is the remark Abigail makes to John Proctor about Elizabeth and what she is doing to her reputation. The main reason behind Abigail accusing so many people is so that eventually the blame is put on Elizabeth. Abigail’s hopes are to have Elizabeth killed so her and John can go on living their lives together. Not only does she want to live her life with John Proctor, but Abigail is also angered at Elizabeth because of the reputation she has given her throughout the village. Her actions go to show how willing she is to ruin numerous lives in order to get revenge on Elizabeth and also get rid of Elizabeth to carry on her dreams of marrying John Proctor. Obviously, Abigail Williams was very serious about getting vengeance on Elizabeth for destroying her reputation in the village of Salem,
Witch trials that caused deaths, mass hysteria, and back stabbing seem like a setting of some extravagant play. In some ways it is, such as the Salem Witch Trials in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1962, which the Crucible by Arthur Miller was based off of. However, in other ways it is a part of everyday life during the 1940s and 50s when a congressional committee was conducting hearings to identify suspected Communists in American society. Miller was called before the committee himself and was cited for contempt and these trials provided the inspiration for the Crucible. One of q characters in the play was in a similar situation and his pride, which could be considered a tragic flaw, caused his downfall. This character is named John Proctor and he
Maya Angelou once wrote, “One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” Having courage helps people get through hard times in life. Staying hopeful and having the courage will help people get there a situation. Courage helps people stay hopeful and feel safe. Throughout “The Crucible” many characters showed several acts of courage. In the play, “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller, John Proctor stands out as a courageous character in the story.
John proctor was a well respected man with a hefty name within the people of his town. He was a farmer and had two children with his wife Elizabeth Proctor. Although he carried many great qualities, one flaw he had ruined his entire life. Proctor was a hypocrite. He disliked liars yet he was one who committed adultery and would not admit to it. This created conflict within himself and caused him to nearly loose his relationship with his wife. Anger within himself was taken out on her. He would yell at her. His issue were his believings of not being good enough and feared he would not be forgiven by Elizabeth. "Spare me! You forget nothin' and forgive nothin'. Learn charity, woman." (Crucible pg. 52) She had no problem forgiving him but it was himself that he needed to forgive. "John, it come to naught that I should forgive you, if you'll not forgive yourself." (Crucible pg. 126) His pride then led him into death when he refused to lie about being a witch. Thus, Pr...
Proctor was aware that Abigail was accusing people of witchcraft under a pretense. Abigail admits this to john when she states “Oh, posh! (Winningly she comes a little closer, with a confidential, wicked air.) We were dancin' in the woods last night, and my uncle leaped in on us. She took fright, is all (Miller 20)” Abigail is averting trouble at the cost of other people’s lives and Proctor cannot stand to watch this happen. Anyone who opposed Abigail was accused and convicted of witchcraft then executed. Once Proctor finally took his evidence to court he was well aware of what peril he might be subjecting himself to. Only a hero would risk everything to ensure the safety of everyone who resides in Salem and its surrounding
A man in Salem have died tragically, although some might consider this heroic; nevertheless it was his actions that have saved the town; this man is John Proctor. Salem is known for having Puritans, a conservative religious and Puritans value their privacy as well. John Proctor is one of the main characters in The Crucible, made by Arthur Miller. Since John Proctor is motivated by his honor his decision to refuse confession in the court creates a catastrophe by the end of the play.
John’s affair with Elizabeth causes quite the downfall. He can be blamed for the witch trials that ensue. You may think it is solely Abigail’s fault as she is the not only the one who performs witchcraft, but also the one who starts the false accusations of innocent people performing witchcraft. However, the sole reason she performs witchcraft is to kill Elizabeth Proctor. Why would she want Elizabeth dead? She refuses to believe the night spent with John was a onetime thing. Abigail then started to list names of those who were associated with witchcraft causing the mass accusations. Thus, John’s decision to have
It had been some time but Abigail saw herself in a tough spot. She used other people to get out of it but saw an opportunity to use Elizabeth Proctor as bait. She accused Elizabeth of being a witch in hope she would be hanged and her and John could be together. Elizabeth knew of Abigail's plans but submitted
John Proctor is a local farmer of the town and has always worried about his reputation because of his name. John was accused of an affair with Abigail Williams and would do almost anything to not let that secret get out and ruin his name as a “cheater”. After John signed a paper trying to confess his lies from trying to defend his wife Elizabeth Proctor, he refused to give it up to the church. In Arthur Miller’s drama The
To further complicate matters, John decides not to reveal to the court that Abigail has admitted to him in private that they were just sporting in the woods. Abigail spreads additional accusations and false rumors about her neighbors. These accusations have no basis in truth and their only purpose is for Abigail’s own benefit. Furthermore, Abigail is jealous of John’s wife, Elizabeth, and she schemes to get rid of her in order to take her place. Abigail’s plot is to accuse Elizabeth of witchcraft.