How does Miller portray Proctor in this extract?

The dialogue finally changes from being sparse and brief when Rebecca's fate is mentioned. As Proctor asks about her, Elizabeth replies "Not Rebecca. She is one foot in heaven now; naught may hurt her more." The detail Miller goes into, the elaboration on Rebecca's name, and the imagery of "one foot in Heaven" shows the importance to the audience of Proctor and Elizabeth's respect for Rebecca. The dialogue then quickly retracts to the sparseness of the earlier piece as Elizabeth simply says, "Giles is dead." The numbness of her emotion in this very factual sentence shows us that Death has become normality to her, and that she has to remain emotionally detached to avoid breaking down. Miller uses this to build the tension and emotion of his play to a climax, as Proctor decides what to do.

The background for Proctor's announcement to his wife that he is considering confessing is the sentence by Elizabeth "Aye he were a fearsome man, Giles Corey." This image of physical strength contrasts with Proctor's apparent weakness as he admits that "I have been thinking I would confess to them, Elizabeth." Miller uses this to steer the audience into believing that this is a dishonourable path to take, and emphasises the enormity of the decision that he has to face. In reply to this, Elizabeth says, "I cannot judge you, John." Elizabeth now has an air of tenderness towards Proctor, which contrasts with her earlier coldness. The stage directions Miller uses for Proctor's next speech are "simply- a pure question." The lack of anger, guilt or implicit judgement here shows that the couple now have a sense of unity, and that past problems are now forgotten. In this moment of great emotion and mental turmoil, Proctor and Elizabeth are brought together.

Miller again steers the audience to see that Proctor will not confess when he gives the directions "pauses, then with a flailing of hope". We are now led to believe that Proctor will be unable to bring himself to confess as he can see that it is morally incorrect behaviour. In the next speech by Proctor where he says, "I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is fraud. I am not that man. She is silent. My honesty is broke Elizabeth; I am no good man." Here Miller portrays Proctor as not being afraid of death, but that he does not feel that he is worthy to die alongside the likes of Rebecca as he is a sinful man. He is also slightly seeking justification to live. Throughout this extract it is clear that Miller is judging himself and here he is still under the impression that he is not worthy of greatness, although he is not sure as he is mentally battling with himself to come to some sort of conclusion. Elizabeth realises this and replies "And yet you've not confessed till now. That speak goodness in you." This shows us that she wants Proctor to forgive himself, and to feel that God has forgiven him, although she too is showing that she wants him to be upright and not confess. In the following speech by Proctor, his long sentences and metaphorical language elevate his speech and gives it a poetic quality. Miller does this in order to build Proctor up in the eyes of the audience as a tragic figure.

When Elizabeth says, "Whatever you will do, it is a good man who does it" she sanctifies his actions, and the mutual admission of guilt when she says, "It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery" further bonds and unites the pair as the scene builds to a climax. As Elizabeth is airing her feelings from the past she says, "suspicion kissed you when I did." The sibilance here emphasises how a sense of suspicion dominated their relationship in the past. Now by airing their feelings, the couple are purging themselves. Here the tone has clearly changed from the coldness and awkwardness of the start to the extract, as mutual suffering has united them. Elizabeth then says, "There be no higher judge under heaven than Proctor is!" Here Miller is reaffirming the fact that Proctor is a man worthy of respect and a creditable tragic figure. Goodness and love are also combined in the idea; emphasising Elizabeth's new found tenderness for Proctor.

Later in the extract as Proctor realises that he will not be able to save his name if he confesses; he is broken as his name is synonymous for his soul. Miller achieves this idea by using continuous questions and repeating his name, "what is John Proctor, what is John Proctor?" As he is explaining why he cannot have his name taken from to Danforth he says, "Because I lie and sign myself to lies!" here the repetition of "lie", the exclamations and the incomplete sentences convey Proctor's emotion.

In this extract, Proctor and Hale's characters are juxtaposed, as Hale has become a broken minister and pitiful while Proctor stands tall in his beliefs and therefore retains his nobility. This is emphasised by Miller when Hale says, "You cannot!" This is directly followed by Proctor saying, "I can." This juxtaposition of views contrasts the two men's' predicaments. Proctor's final speech is loaded with imagery when he says, "Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs." Miller deliberately does this to show the morality of his decision and to emphasise the wrongdoing of characters such as Danforth.

The final stage directions as Proctor hangs are of a "drumroll" and "the new sun pouring in upon (Elizabeth's) face." The drum roll symbolises Proctors death, and this is contrasted with the connotations of the sun being new beginning.

At the start of the passage Proctor is a troubled character, but after he is given guidance, and reunites with Elizabeth, Proctor is portrayed as being a true tragic figure by Miller as he chooses the correct path and thereby redeems his past sins.

1398 words

Charlie Smith

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