Character Analysis John Proctor In a sense, the play, 'The Crucible', has the structure of a classical tragedy with John Proctor being the protagonist of the play and its tragic hero.

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Character Analysis

John Proctor

In a sense, the play, ‘The Crucible’, has the structure of a classical tragedy with John Proctor being

the protagonist of the play and its tragic hero.  As there is a saying “To err is human…” John Proctor

likewise was led to his grave due to a fatal flaw he possessed.

Proctor, in his first appearance in the play, is presented as a quick-witted, sharp-tongued man with

a keen sense of pride and a streak of confidence. He was a symbol of justice and righteousness.

His secret affair with Abigail, before Elizabeth Proctor fired her, seemed to end since John no

more harbored feelings for Abigail.

Abigail                Give me a word, John, A soft word.

Proctor                No, no, Abby. That’s done with.

However, upon learning the truth…

Abigail        I have a sense for heat, John, and yours has drawn me to my window, and I have seen you looking up, burning in your loneliness. Do you tell me you’ve never looked up at my window?

This suggests that what Abigail had been saying to John was the truth too that he still had kind feelings for         

her, and created Abigail’s jealousy of his wife, Elizabeth, which sets the entire witch hysteria in motion.  

His wisdom, sharpness and his independence are traits would make a suitable person to question

the motives of those who cry witchcraft. However, his guilt over his affair with Abigail makes his situation

much more problematic because he is very guilty in the hypocrisy he detested to see in others.

Secondly, John does not seem to be favoring the authority Parris possess that he blatantly said right in front

of Parris that he would join the faction which was “against him and all authority”.

Once the trials begin, Proctor realizes that he can stop Abigail’s rampage through Salem but only

 

if he confesses to his adultery. Such an admission would ruin his good name, and Proctor is, above all, a

proud man who places great emphasis on his reputation. Proctor is quite a brave, honest and honorable

man, confessing his sin of adultery to the court in a bid to stop the agitation present in Salem by tarnishing

the now saintly name of Abigail Williams so that the townsfolk would stop listening to her false

accusations. He eventually makes an attempt, through Mary Warren’s testimony, to name Abigail as a

fraud without revealing the crucial information.

Proctor        Then her saintliness is done with. We will slide together into our pit; you will tell the court what you know.

When this attempt fails, he finally bursts out with a confession, calling Abigail a “whore” and proclaiming his guilt publicly.

Proctor        A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! For them that quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as you quail now when you know in all your black hearts that this be fraud- God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together!

Proctor                You are pulling Heaven down and raising up a whore!

These quotes suggest that the Proctor who used to believe in God’s word is no longer devoted to Him

anymore due to the injustice and evil around him. It’s as if he has become an atheist- God is dead!

Only then does he realize that it is too late, that matters have gone too far, and that not even the truth can

break the powerful frenzy that he has allowed Abigail to whip up. Proctor’s confession succeeds only in

leading to his arrest and conviction as a witch, and though he lambastes the court and its proceedings, he is

also aware of his terrible role in allowing this fervor to grow unchecked. Proctor is also a man who

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thinks of others. He stands up for the other townsfolk, refusing to give the names of innocent citizens. “I

have no knowledge in that line. But it's hard to think so pious a woman is secretly a Devil's bitch after

seventy year of such good prayer.” He saved others, while preserving his own honor. (I speak my own sins;

I cannot judge another.)

Offered the opportunity to make a public confession of his guilt and live, he almost succumbs,

even signing a written confession. His immense pride and fear of public opinion compelled him to ...

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