IS JOHN PROCTOR A HERO? John Proctor is inimitable in the play, and historically is seen as an exception to the regulations of the theocracy and the witch-trials which gripped Salem during 1692.

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IS JOHN PROCTOR A HERO?

     John Proctor is inimitable in the play, and historically is seen as an exception to the regulations of the theocracy and the witch-trials which gripped Salem during 1692.

     On this account, that Proctor is an honest, hard-working man who stands up against the hypocrisy of the court, he can be deemed a hero of the town for it was Proctor that put up the biggest fight against the trials.

     One possible view of John Proctor is that he follows the structure of being a tragic hero, which defines The Crucible as being a classical tragedy. Proctor fights against the abuse of authority shown by Danforth in his running of the trials and Reverend Parris in his running of the theocracy, highlighted by his refusal to allow Parris to baptise his third child: “I like it not that Mr Parris should lay his hand upon my baby. I see no light of God in that man, I’ll not conceal it”.

     Being a tragic hero means that Proctor inevitably has one vital flaw, which turns out to be his lust for Abigail Williams and the affair that occurred before the play begins, Arthur Miller has altered historical evidence in giving the play a more dramatic edge by making Abigail Williams older and John Proctor younger. Historical evidence shows that Abigail was 11 while Proctor was in his 60’s. The affair between the two is the foundation of the play’s storyline, as Abigail Williams becomes jealous of Elizabeth, Proctor’s wife and begins the hysterical campaign towards her and many others whom she claims to be witches. Proctor is rash in his speech and actions towards everyone - Mary Warren, Judge Danforth, Reverend Hale and even Elizabeth. Proctor’s affair with Abigail means that the audience’s view of him is swiftly altered and although we still sympathise with the situation he and his wife are in, we look upon him as being a somewhat different character than we first thought. Whereas before we backed Proctor in his fight against the court and against the hysterical slander campaigns, now he becomes more of a guilty figure himself although he is still fighting for the right cause.  

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     Another possible flaw of Proctor’s character is his treatment of women. Salem and most other theocracies at the time were very sexist in their views and subordination of women, particularly young, single women for example, Proctor begins to whip his servant, Mary Warren, on pages 58 and 59, “I’ll whip the devil out of you!”, for her contravening his rules. He also threatens Abigail Williams in the extra scene of the play, but since she is launching a slander campaign and trying to have his wife hanged, his aggression towards her is understandable. After all, Proctor seems to ...

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