The Crucible John Proctor Death Analysis

Over 200 people were accused of witchcraft between 1962 and 1963 in the town of Salem. A dark time built upon the circle of lies that commenced from teenage girls searching for entertainment in an authoritarian Puritan society. One of those innocently accused and then later hanged was the tragic hero John Proctor. Proctor was a simple farmer who unjustly was brought into this circle because of his past. This is why Abigail Williams is most responsible for John Proctors death.

To begin with, Abigail’s lust for her ex-employer led to the beginning of the witch trials in Salem. In the beginning of The Crucible, Abigail and some girls from the town are discovered dancing in the woods, which is a forbidden act in the Puritan society. It is then

revealed that Abigail had, “…drank a charm to kill John Proctor’s wife” (Miller 19). Her actions depicted her desire to get rid of Proctor’s wife Elizabeth. Abigail soon draws up an elaborate hoax in order to accuse Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft. Also, Proctor’s affair with Abigail caused him, to be directly involved with the witch trials.
Next, not only did Abigail start the witch trials, she played an enormous part in the accusations as well. Since Abigail
To continue, Mary Warren, John Proctor’s current servant, also played a role in the death of Mr. Proctor. Mary was the only one that could have proved Elizabeth’s innocence and expose Abigail for the fraud she was. However, when Proctor needed her the most, she stabbed him in the back and accused him of witchcraft. On the other hand, she attempted to help Proctor save his wife. Mary directly told the judges that she, “…never saw no spirits” (Miller 107). As she began to uncover the truth about Abigail in front of the judges, the girls started to throw out accusations towards Mary. In the heat of the moment she threw out Proctor’s name hoping to deflect the attention away from her. Although Mary ultimately doomed John Proctor to jail, she still attempted to expose Abigail and save Elizabeth Proctor. Because of these actions, Mary Warren is not the most responsible for John Proctors death.
Lastly, Reverend Parris also shared the cause of Mr.

Proctor’s death. Reverend Parris and John Proctor had a grudge between them that was very well known throughout the town. For example, when Proctor enters the court Reverend Parris says, “Beware this man, Your Excellency, this man is mischief” (Miller 88). Parris knew from the very beginning that the girls were lying about the witch accusations. If this information had been mentioned to the court, hundreds of lives could have been spared from the noose. On the other hand, Reverend Parris was not the one to accuse John Proctor of witchcraft. In fact, Parris attempted to save Proctor by telling him to confess to witchcraft later in his prison cell. When speaking with Elizabeth he hopefully says, “You’ll strive with him?” when she is told to convince John to confess (Miller 133). Parris is not the character who is most responsible for John Proctor’s death because he attempted to save Proctor even if it was only to secure his reputation.

In conclusion, Mary Warren and Reverend Parris both played small roles in the death of John Proctor, however, none compares to the role Abigail Williams was part of. Abigail both started the witch trials in Salem and stood at the center of the accusations. Her involvement alone brought the demise of many innocent people including John Proctor who was willing to sacrifice his dignity to save those wrongly accused. This is why Abigail Williams is most responsible for John Proctor’s

death.