Is John Proctor a good man?

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Daniel Barton

Is John Proctor a good man?

 John proctor shows himself to be a very powerful and charismatic person right from are first meeting with the character at the end of act 1 when he enters ’s house to join the girls. Proctor, in his first appearance, is presented as a quick-witted, sharp-tongued man with a strong independent streak. These traits would seem to make him a good person to question the motives of those who cry witchcraft. However, his guilt over his affair with Abigail makes his position problematic because he is guilty of the very hypocrisy that he despises in others. Abigail, meanwhile, is clearly not over their affair. She accuses Proctor of “putting knowledge” in her heart. In one sense, Abigail accuses him of destroying her innocence by taking her virginity. In another sense, she also accuses him of showing her the extent to which hypocrisy governs social relations in Salem. This could then go on to show that it was proctor that destroys her views of Salem and turns Abigail against the town of Salem. This proved very dangerous as her hate of Salem fuelled her vengeance against the town, which she enforces in the court. This could indirectly link proctor to the doing that he so detests in the ending scenes of the play.

This scene also tells us that he has had an affair with Abigail, which is adultery as he has a wife. This is a very serious crime at this time as it is seen as breaking one of the 10 commandments. If this information that he had committed the sin of adultery were to be realised to the town or church then his name and reputation in the town would be greatly corrupted. Abigail sees this and uses it to hold a power over proctor, as she knows that she has a powerful piece of blackmail in her hands.

We also learn a lot about the relationship that Abigail and proctor have in this act when proctor says to Abigail

 

This quote shows how he used to feel towards her by the way he refers to the fact that he did feel softly towards her. This shows how he did used to have deep feeling towards her and she was not just a sexual partner but also something deeper than that. The quote also turns in its meaning towards the end where it says that he would rather cut of his hand then reach out for her again. This is showing how proctor is feeling his guilt for what he has done and how he means to break the fling off to prove his love to Elizabeth.

        Another good point of reference for judging Proctors character is his relationship with Elizabeth and the way they act together in act 2. The first main point to be analysed in this act is the fact that Proctor lies to Elizabeth again. While they were discussing the events of the day and the trials he tells Elizabeth that Abigail had sworn her dancing had nothing to do with witchcraft. Elizabeth wants him to testify that the accusations are a sham. He says that he cannot prove his allegation because Abigail told him this information while they were alone in a room. Elizabeth loses all faith in her husband upon hearing that he and Abigail were alone together. There are tow reasons for her loss of faith. The first is that she suspects that the affair is still taking place as the 2 of them were in a room alone with each other as Elizabeth is already aware that Abigail and Proctor had committed adultery. The second reason is that proctor who had already stated that he was only going into town to                         earlier in the act but now he was saying that he was in a room alone with Abigail. This shows how he has lied to her about Abigail again as he already did lie about her before when they were in the affair. This shows that proctor must be a very untrustworthy, sneaky man as this is how he treats his own wife.

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        What Elizabeth says also leaves proctor with a very difficult dilemma about the innocent people about to die at the hand of Abigail. Proctor’s sense of guilt begins to eat away at him. He knows that he can bring down Abigail and end her reign of terror, but he fears for his good name if his hidden sin of adultery is revealed. The pressing knowledge of his own guilt makes him feel judged, but Elizabeth is correct when she points out that the judge who pursues him so mercilessly is himself. Proctor has a great loathing for hypocrisy, and, here, ...

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This is a generally well written essay with a large coverage of points made and a good depth of knowledge of the play is demonstrated. There needs to be more direct reference to the text with more points and interpretations being supported with specific quotes. 4 Stars