The Crucible Commentary - Why is John Proctor's Position so Difficult?

Freya Ollerearnshaw

The Crucible Commentary-

Why is John Proctor’s Position so Difficult?

John Proctor is going to find proving his wife’s innocence an extremely difficult task for several reasons:

Firstly, his case is based on the allegation, made by himself, that the girls are frauds. His only evidence of this is in a conversation between himself and Abigail. In which she admits that there is not witchcraft in Salem. The two of them were alone eat the time so there are no witnesses to verify this.

Abigail will surely deny she said this so the judges will only have one word against another. John Proctor is a farmer who has made no secret of his controversial opinions. Abigail is the minister’s niece and has become a respected and somewhat feared member of the court. Bearing this in mind, the court will be inclined to believe Abigail against Proctor unless evidence to the contrary arises.

However, Proctor has another way of proving the girls to be fakes. May Warren admitted to him that their actions were pretence, but she is not strong-minded and is terrified of what Abigail will do to her if she reveals their deception. Proctor therefore has to use brute force to make her testify alongside him.

If this were ever to come out in court, the jury would see that Proctors intimidation has led Mary Warren to give false evidence and her statement might not be accepted. This would severely damage Proctor’s reputation and ultimately his chances of setting Elizabeth free.

Proctor also has flaws in his Christian character that would be considered serious by members of the court. Hale discovered these faults during his visit. These include his poor church attendance record, his utter dislike for Parris and his unbaptised child. The most serious of these was his failure to recite the 10 commandments. Hale witnessed him struggle over each one ‘counting on his fingers’ and naming them ‘with some hesitation’.

Hale, as an honest man, and Parris, out of pure spite, might bring these issues up in court. If this happens it will take Proctor all his powers of persuasion to convince the court that he is a true Christian and has had no dealings with witchcraft.

Proctor also has a tendency to speak his mind without consideration of the consequences. He believes firmly that he has the right to voice his opinions with comments like ‘I may speak my mind, I think.’ This has made him many enemies, some of which are high standing and greatly influential people like Parris and Putnam who could attempt to bring the court onto their side, against Proctor.

The judge in charge of the proceedings is Danforth. He is a man who is very set in his ways and, although he believes strongly that he is doing the right thing, his opinion might be biased towards the witchcraft allegations.

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These strong beliefs are revealed when he says to Proctor ‘I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits; I have seen them stuck by pins and slashed by daggers. I have until this moment not the slightest reason to suspect that the children may be deceiving me. Do you understand my meaning?’ Danforth’s question to Proctor is warning him that these are his views on the matter and he will not be inclined to change his mind. In a way, Danforth is telling Proctor that his judgement is not to be questioned.

Danforth’s firm beliefs can, on occasions, affect his actions and fairness as a judge, turning his prejudice views into discrimination against Proctor. An example of this is when he refuses to give Proctor a lawyer with whom to argue his case, saying ‘The pure in heart need no lawyers.’ This comment does not justify Danforth’s decision and because of it, Proctor will be at a disadvantage. Danforth does believe that he is doing the right thing and acting for god to bring the witches to justice.

Danforth is also a very proud man who does not like his authority to be questioned. He believes, from what he has heard on Proctor’s character, that Proctor has come to overthrow the court and has no hesitation in asking him if he has ‘any desire to undermine this court.’ He sees Proctor’s accusation as a personal insult and attack on his better judgement. Danforth therefore does not hold Proctor in very high esteem and might not be inclined to believe his case.

The relationship between Danforth and Abigail is another obstacle in Proctor’s way. Danforth, though very strong-minded is overpowered by Abigail and gives way to her on several occasions.

For example, when Danforth queries her on the honesty of her convictions, Abigail is outraged and openly threatens Danforth, saying ‘let you beware Mr Danforth. Think you be so mighty that the power of hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it!’ Danforth, at this point should have put Abigail in her place but instead tries to calm her down and says, weakening ‘Child, I do not mistrust you.’ Abigail sees this weakness in him and uses it to her advantage. She knows that she is the main witness and without her the court will crumble.

The majority of the people in the community believe witchcraft exists in Salem. Many of the high-ranking members of the Salem community either believe strongly that there are witches at work or want it to be so for reasons of their own.

An example of this is Mr Putnam, who sees the hangings as an opportunity to aquire more land. Giles Corey comes forward with evidence of this. He claims that Putnam prompted his daughter to cry out witchery on George Jacobs. If this man were to hang then Putnam would receive his property. When this evidence reaches Danfoth he locks Gils away for not revealing his informant. This too is an example of the biased actions of Danforth.

Proctor could choose to reveal his affair with Abigail to the court. This would damage his reputation but do the same to Abigail’s and make the court realise that she is not the innocent, law-abiding girl she appears to be. Proctor is very likely to use this, as it is the one piece of evidence for which he has another witness besides himself and Abigail.

However, this witness is his wife who is locked away and will not know that he has chosen to confess and she might decide to protect his name by denying the affair. If this happens, Proctor will be deemed a liar and his whole case will fall to pieces. This is a heavy risk to take.

People in the court have a high opinion of Abigail. Elizabeth Proctor described her influence over the court by saying ‘where she walks the crowd will part like the sea for Israel.’ Because of these views the members of the court might not want to believe that Abigail would enter into such an affair and will be inclined to side with her even if Elizabeth confirms the affair.

The affair will also damage Proctor’s reputation far more than Abigail’s as he is married and therefore committing a greater sin. If might be seen that Proctor, who is many years her senior has lead Abigail, an “innocent” young girl, astray.

Proctor has no one else who will side with him. The little opposition to the girls has been quashed (for instance the 91 people jailed for the signing of a petition stating that Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey were good people) and people with important evidence to Proctor’s case will be too scared to come forward in fear of their safety.

Proctor is a realistic man and knows of the many difficulties he will have in convincing the court. He says to Hale ‘I may wonder if my story will be credited in such a court.’ Despite this I do not think that he has realised the extent of the odds stacked so highly against him. In effect, he is fighting a losing battle.

John Proctor’s Deposition.

I, John Proctor, farmer of Holly Farm near Salem, Massachusetts, and a member of the congregation of the meeting house in that town, do solemnly make oath and say that my wife, Elizabeth, is innocent of all charges of witchcraft. This I shall prove beyond doubt, so that she is given the freedom to return home to her family.

My wife is a widely like and respected woman who is held in high esteem by the members of the parish. She is a good and honest woman who, up until her recent illness, has been noted for her regular attendance at church.

As a devout Christian, she has brought her children up to follow strong religious beliefs and no one can fault her dedication as a mother. There will be no end of people in Salem who will verify this and vouch for her innocence.

Questions may arise over the recent lapse in the family’s church attendance record. The fault is mine alone. When Elizabeth was taken ill she was too weak to continue her duties as a mother by taking her children to church. I failed to shoulder this responsibility but I know that if Elizabeth had been in a fit state she would have insisted upon it.

I have never had cause to complain about my wife in any way. She has always performed her wifely duties with undying devotion. She is a modest woman who has never given me cause to reprimand. Elizabeth is innocent of all allegations made against her.

When you have read the proof below you will recognise what a fraud Abigail is. For it is my belief that it is her devious mind that is responsible for the hysteria in Salem, not witchcraft. I heard it said from her own mouth the day Mr Hale came that there is no witchcraft afoot in Salem just the silliness of dancing girls. I will testify to this in court if need be. I also have the backing of Mary Warren who has admitted the girls’ deception to me and will collaborate this statement.

I am totally convinced that Abigail Williams has an ulterior motive for her accusations against my wife. I am ashamed to admit that during my wife’s illness, I broke from my marital vows and had an affair with Abigail, who was at the time employed by my wife.

This behaviour of mine was inexcusable and I ended the affair when I came to my senses. I confessed my sins to my wife who later dismissed Abigail from our services and mercifully forgave me. I cannot believe in the depths of my soul that such a warm heart and forgiving nature be that of a witch.

Abigail, on the other hand, never accepted that the affair was over and still believes that if she can get rid of Elizabeth then my heart will be hers. By accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft, Abigail is taking her revenge, and if my wife hangs for these charges her aims will have been accomplished. My wife has been accused, not for justice but for hatred and resentment.

The only evidence Abigail has against Elizabeth is the discovery of a poppet in my wife’s possession. This poppet had been presented to Elizabeth that very evening from Mary Warren. She had sewn it during her long hours in the courtroom during which time Abigail sat beside her. The needle was mistakenly left inside the poppet for safekeeping and I am certain Abigail witnessed this event and used her knowledge against my wife. Mary Warren has confirmed this to me and will confess to you that the needle was not my wife’s doing but her own.

I reveal these shocking facts to you because I feel strongly that the truth must be know and that it is the way for my wife’s innocence to be proven. I appeal to you as a fellow Christian not to hang a woman whose only crime is marrying a deceitful man. I beg that as a fair and upright judge you acknowledge that, for the reasons set out in this deposition, my wife is innocent of all blame and to free her, as she deserves.

Signed this 12th day of May in the year of our lord1692,