The Crucible John Proctor Honesty Analysis

The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 was the death of nineteen men and women to hang and jailed many more. The city was filled in accusation; as fear and and distress took all control. As one of the men was accused, John proctor a man of irreproachability and truthfulness was hanged for his association with the devil. In the play The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, the author portrays John Proctor to be a good man because of his loyalty and honesty shown throughout the play.

There are a handful of reasons John Proctor is an honest and loyal man. John Proctor is a bold human being, not one to be afraid of saying how he feels. John truthfully tells Reverend Parris why he has not show up at church any time soon, “I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation. Take it to heart, Mrs. Parris. There are many others who stay away from church these days because you hardly ever mention God any more.” (Proctor 27) John must confess his sin, to stop the hysteria in Salem. After Proctor confesses, he encouraged his wife to do the same, “Elizabeth, tell the truth! Elizabeth, I have confessed it!” (Proctor 105) He confesses his sin, and says those words, because he is looking out for the

good of the community, and the others around him.
John Proctor hates the idea that his name is tarnished, but he thinks that God is going to forgive him for it by saying, “I have no love for Mr.

Parris. It is no secret. But God I surely love.” (Proctor 84) Proctor shows Abigail how he truly feels about her later on by telling Abigail that he would cut off his arm before he reached for her again. He shows his honesty by telling Elizabeth, “I will fall like an ocean on that court! Fear nothing Elizabeth.” (Proctor 73) The court thinks that if everyone in the community sees an innocent man has confessed, they will change their feelings and think it is ok to confess just like John Proctor did. John refuses to sign because not only would the false admission dishonor him, but yet to ruin his

reputation.
John Proctor would rather die knowing that he did not give in, and stood up for what he knew was to be true. He refused to give them names, simply because he knew that the innocent people of the community would have been hanged. John respects his fellow neighbor and stands up for what is good by sacrificing his life for others. “I have no witness and cannot prove it, except my word be taken. But I know the children’s sickness had naught to do with the witchcraft.” John is saving others people’s lives, saving his name, keeping his pride and integrity because he is a man of good deed. “You are pulling Heaven down and raising up a whore.” Although Proctor is being accused of doing the devil’s work, the true situation is the reverse, they are doing the devil’s work.
John Proctor died for his name, and for the good of the community and the others around him. He maintained his integrity and was a man of true loyalty and honesty. He wasn’t afraid to say what was on his mind, but in the end he was always there to be the helper.