Pride In The Crucible

Proctor poses at the presumtuous yet moral-sensible tragic hero nonetheless encompasses a tragic flaw which risks everything he has fought and worked for. John cheats on Elizabeth, yet, despite acquiring an exceptional reputation, refuses to forgive himself and instead begs for repentance. John having to “tiptoe” into his own home has him confined within the ideals of Elizabeth, at the same time trying to please her. His desolation then leads him to being caged by guilt and a constant quest to regain self-image. John’s perpetual means of excessive pride is shown through his constant arguments with Reverend Parris and Mr. Putnam. A compelling man he is, John’s impulse is to defend his beliefs and nothing else. Ultimately sacrficing his life

for Elizabeth, he dies with his morality and lives on with his legacy. Just seconds before his anticipated hanging, John says, “How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul, leave me my name”(143). At the peak of his downfall, John forcefully cries out for an ommision of his name for thou living in a life of anguish. Therefore, in addition to acquiring such a tragic flaw, John’s pride helps him discover self-preservation, yet leads him to his final destination.
Proctor not only acquires a fatal flaw, he accepts the responsibility influenced by his actions through self-knowledge and decency.

Damned from the very beginning, John accepts his fate through reason and faith. Commiting an act of lechery, John looks behind him and asks Elizabeth to look for goodness in him. Sophistically saying, “I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you”(55). Considering his position, Elizabeth sees him as he is suffering in sin and guilt. Despite having a low order on the court, John takes charge and liability. To “purify” his sins, he makes it a goal to safeguard God’s word. John then says, “There are them that will swear to anything before they’ll hang”(69). He shows intelligence and yet understands the truth of the situation. John confesses his confrontation with the Devil, yet, lies and refuses to sign the document, is too aware and is taken to his departure. He has a moment of epiphany and says, “I have rung the doom of my good name”(111) for he has realized what may happen to Elizabeth and his friends. Proctor’s accepted responsibility is both a blessing and a curse; gaining self-image yet slowly losing his

decorum.
Upon declaring justice on the court, Proctor is unceasingly haunted by his past.

Thus, profound, an act of adultery with seventeen yearold Abigail Williams lies deep within his escapes and wants nothing of her. Using extremely bloody images, he says, “...But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again”(23). John has a determination to make better of himself and the relationship between him and Elizabeth. Hence, living in a life of discomfort along with a “living” court in his own home, he tries earning his trust and worthiness back from Elizabeth. During court proceedings, John in anger and desperation yanks Abigail’s hair and shouts out “whore!” then confesses his infidelity by saying that he “knows” her. Associating his pride and fearful past, John prepares to lose his reputation in order to save his friends and

Elizabeth.
As John attempts to repress the court orders, he sacrifices his ideologies and life for the sake of Elizabeth and his friends, thereupon standing as the tragic hero with a calamitous flaw while accepting responsibilites of his actions, hitherto being haunted by his past. In virtue of Proctor’s sacrifice of his conviction, he undergoes a downfall more than he deserves. John’s attributes transcend to the Salem Witch Trials boundaries created by sin in society. As a true tragic hero in the audience’s perspective, John is pitied and feared to an extent of the same consequences.