The Crucible John Proctor Character Analysis Essay

Imagine a man who seems to have all the blessings his society can offer: a loving wife and family, financial security, and the respect of his community. Then imagine that same man losing everything because of a personal flaw that he either cannot or will not control. In arthur Miller's play The Crucible, the reader is introduced to just such a man. John Proctor, a well-respected member member of Puritan Salem, knows his lust for the beautiful, but dangerous, Abigail Williams is sinful, but he has no idea how much misery his weakness will cause for himself, his family, and all of Salem. In this play, the reader witnesses Proctor’s downfall as a tragic hero as his personal flaw destroys his life, but his hardened wisdom saves his community and his soul.

In every town, there are those who are well looked towards for decisions and advice. Here in Salem, John Proctor’s opinion is held very high among the people. They see John Proctor as a hard working, christian man. However, the town’s people do not know that John Proctor has committed a sin. John has lusted for a young girl, Abigail Williams, and John has kept this affair a secret to the village. Abigail thinks that John should be her’s, and this causes a great deal of

trouble. The witch trials are the result of this affair.

Villagers being accusing people who they dislike.

Because of how broken the court is, the defendant is almost always found guilty of witchcraft. Elizabeth Proctor tries to get John to go and put a stop to the witch trials. She wants John to tell the village what Abigail really is. For John to do that, it would mean admitting he had the affair to the town of Salem. In addition to his name being ruined, it might get him hung. While John doesn’t do anything to prevent the witch trials, more and more people get accused and sentenced to either jail time or to death. Abigail is now seen as a hero. With the power she is given she becomes dangerous, because anyone who crosses her shows up in the courthouse soon

after.

Abigail thinks that the only way to get John Proctor now, is to get rid of Elizabeth Proctor. Reverend Hale came to tell the Proctors that Elizabeth has been accused of witchcraft. When she is arrested the same night, John Proctor goes to finally goes to stop the witch trials. It is too late to stop them now. Abigail has the whole town tricked, and John has nothing he can say to defend his wife. So John Proctor screams god is dead, hoping that this will stop the witch trials. Now John is to be hung, and Abigail has left town. Danforth wants John to admit he has fallen under the influence of the devil. Danforth tries to get Elizabeth to talk to John, and try to get him to admit. John Proctor refused to do so, because Danforth would use his word against the rest of salem. This means that John will hang, but he is okay with this. Elizabeth has forgiven John, so John forgave himself. John is not afraid to meet his death, because he saved the town and his soul.