Proctor’s pride was the main reason for his death because he felt bad about what he had done with Abigail and then lied to try to save his life. He did this so that he could be there for his children, so they could be a family and because he thought that he had already committed a sin so it probably would not matter if he did another one. On the although Reverend Hale told him to lie and said that it was better to lie and live than to die for pride, he chose to put an end to his life so that even if he didn’t, his name would live on. Subsequently, he signed the confession but then ripped it up saying, “I have three children- how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends?” Being hanged is his way of ending it all and how he finally showed that he was a good man. As well as this, he confessed to everything before he died so he became purified.
In Act 2, Proctor’s wife Elizabeth was constantly judging him and yet denying that she was. When Abigail called her cold in front of Proctor, he defended her but later described her as cold to her face by saying “your justice would freeze beer.” She keeps a wintry house that does not seem to have any love and thinks she is superior to him because she is pure and he is not because he has broken one of the 10 commandments. Proctor knows he is a sinner and feels bad about it because he is no longer a good man but he wants to keep his good name and the respect of the village but he cannot do so if he tells them that the witchcraft business is all a pretence because then he knows his secret will come out. But Elizabeth does not gives the impression that she does not understand this or chooses not to. Although the atmosphere did seem quite cold in that Act, in Act 4, there appears to be new warmth between them. She look as if she has stopped judging him and says she has sins of her own like not being a good wife and keeping a cold house.
Justice is supposed to be admistered with fairness and equality, however, ‘The Crucible’ demonstrates that this does not always prevail. Those appointed to administer justice often misuse their power resulting in a lack of justice. The judges in the court of Salem do not deliver justice fairly and accuse those who are innocent without any actual evidence. In addition to this, justice failed to protect the individuals of Salem and instead was blinded by their personal jealousies, vengeance, fear and greed.
Judge Danforth is a character that believes in theocracy and is convinced that the legal system will bring about truth and justice in every situation and makes every effort to be fair and has a clear idea of what he is expected to do but his logic is actually irrational. The image he draws up of himself is of a proud character that is very powerful. He does not want to hear anyone speak against him or his beliefs and asks Hale if he has been “preaching in Andover” meaning that is he with the rebellion, which means he is against theocracy. He is a hypocrite and does not have a heart but believes that other people should. He believes himself to be doing the right thing "I speak god’s law" although he is unaware that he is condemning the innocent victims of Salem. He decides to use Abigail's intangible evidence and therefore obstructs the course of justice. Insted the court should act impartially and guilt should be proven with tangible evidence. He lets Abigail manipulate the situation and does not investigate the issue any further even when John and Mary provide him with evidence that the accusations are false.
Corruption in the justice system emphasises that the justice system is wrong. In ‘The Crucible’ justice failed to protect the innocent, as individuals of Salem used the witch trials to make wild accusations against their neighbours for their own personal benefit. The emotion of greed and jealousy is mainly shown through the Putnam family in order to gain more land, and to settle old grievances. Thomas Putnam takes advantage of the witch trials and is quick to accuse people so he can take over their land. “This man is killing his neighbours for their land!" He starts arguing about the boundaries of his land as he tries to drag John Proctor into a witch scandal. He does this so that he can buy up the land when it becomes forfeited. Goody Putnam accuses Rebecca Nurse, a religious and honest woman who is true to her faith, about the supernatural murders of her dead children. Mrs Putnam envies for the family that Rebecca is proud to have and this causes her to accuse Rebecca of killing her children through witchcraft. She corrupts justice by accusing innocent victims, as she can't come to terms with not being able to produce healthy children.
Fear is a powerful emotion and a reason for the unjust accusations made. Abigail uses her power of fear to control the girls and force them to join her. Through their combined fear the girls learn to pass the blame onto others. This is done no matter what the consequences of their unjust actions. This led the Salem community to believe that their highly moral and upstanding neighbours are responsible for these sinful actions. Abigail uses this opportunity to gain control over the adults of Salem, and accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft in order to be with John Proctor.
Undoubtedly, many members of Salem community took advantage of this hysteria for personal gain. Therefore, justice cannot protect the innocent as it has been abused. Those appointed to administer justice are often blinded and result in the innocent being condemned. Justice only protects the innocent if there is a fair trial although the judge is blinded by what he believes in, as he will not accept any other type of belief. Thus, once again justice failed to protect the innocent. In ‘The Crucible’, The guilty were protected while the innocent were condemned The guilty were protected while the innocent were condemned the inocent have been condemned while the guilty have been protected and so justice is corrupted.
