There is no doubt that Proctor is introduced as a heroic, steadfast figure. This then leads to the audience giving John their respect. However, were it not for the introduction of the image of Proctor as a tragic hero, this respectability may lead him to become rather a cold character, barring the audience from identifying with him. In the first scene we see that Proctor is willing even to oppose the church “Why, then I must find it and join it” (Pg.25), How can we perceive someone as a heroic figure if they are willing to go against that of which represents purity and truth? This statement also displays Proctor’s arrogance, it would seem he apparently believes himself a match for the church. He himself has the strength to take on the whole of Salem, the church and then indeed God himself! Although he is outspoken and blunt in his scepticism of witchcraft and his denunciation of Reverend Parris' greed and the corruption of the church, Proctor initially chooses to downplay the significance of Abigail's accusations. This tendency to remain apart can also be seen in his decision not to attend church, rather than take a more active role in the congregation. This independence of character again demonstrates Proctors arrogance. Even if he disagrees with Reverend Parris, he still has the responsibility to God to attend church on a regular basis. Proctors rebellious nature should not be seen as a quality. How can it? If he is in constant confrontations with men who are representatives of justice and religion he is further illustrating his willingness to oppose those who do good.
The second step in creating the tragic hero is emphasizing the mistake or flaw which brings upon the character's descent. It is in this stage that fear and freedom enter as a major part of John Proctor's actions.
"And if society alone is responsible for the cramping of our lives then the protagonist must need to be so pure and faultless as to force us to deny his validity as a character. From neither of these views can tragedy derive, simply because neither represents a balanced concept of life."(Miller tragedy and the common man)
It is this balance between the internal and external that opens the door for fear and freedom to enter. Fear is society's tool. In Puritan New England paranoia was a common aspect. The people lived in fear of the devil, a physical devil that existed and walked among them. When word spread, speaking of witchcraft in Salem, that fear, that paranoia emerged ever so imminently and thus began the tragedy. With the people's fear came rumors. Mrs. Putnam asked, "How high did she fly, how high?" (p.12) of Betty clearly exhibiting that rumours of witchcraft were surfacing and spreading. Subsequently, from such rumors came the accusations. It was the accusations that proved most costly. People turned against each other saving themselves by accusing their neighbours. All of these consequences sprouted from fear in the hearts and minds of the people of Salem. Fear, however, only contributed to this tragedy.
John Proctor's freedom within was the other half that completes the equation. It was this freedom that resulted in his mistakes, his flaws. Proctor chose to have relations, outside of his marriage to Elizabeth with Abigail. In Act Two, John makes a determined effort to please Elizabeth. He kisses her perfunctorily; he lies in saying that her cooking is well-seasoned ‘It’s well seasoned’ (pg.42) showing the strain in their relationship. Like all men Proctor had his temptations yet his freedom allowed him to give in to them. Through his own freedom John "lusted with the girl" and went "against the law of God and Salem"(Murray, 46, - a professor of Greek mythology at Oxford university) Freedom also existed in John's choice to not attend Church. It was this choice that also contributed to his downfall, for it did not put him in the best standings with the townspeople. The fear in society and the freedom of John Proctor both complement each other in that balance that Miller spoke of. Tragedy comes from what the protagonist can, as well as cannot control. This evidence clearly holds true to Miller's definition of tragedy. Their then, is no doubt that the Crucible is a tragedy in Miller’s eyes, He also says in his book ‘Tragedy and the Common Man’ that ‘a tragedy must, without question, have a tragic hero present’. This therefore suggests that Miller himself intended John Proctor to be a tragic hero.
As mentioned above there is a clear strain on the marriage between Proctor and his wife, Elizabeth. This strain though, is one of the consequences of John’s adultery. He had an affair with Abigail. Elizabeth especially finds it hard to come to terms with Proctors betrayal, ‘you forget nothin’ you forgive nothin’’.
We, the audience, then can surely not perceive a distrustful man such as John Proctor as heroic, or tragic. A heroic, character would not be so weak as to give in to such feeble temptations as lust. Even if they had that freedom, which Miller speaks of, to succumb to infidelity a heroic character would still remain strong and remain faithful.
Abigail Williams is an authoritative yet deceitful character, which is rather ironic considering that she is actually the niece of Reverend Parris, who is supposedly one of the most moral and virtuous member of the community. The fact she is such a vicious character makes us dislike Proctor even more. If Elizabeth was a cold, cruel woman and Abigail a pleasant harmless one, we would be able to sympathise with Proctor for his betrayal far easier. However, this is far from the case, consequently forcing us to side very much with Elizabeth, and preventing us identifying with proctor. This in turn preludes us from being able to perceive him as a tragic hero.
Suffering was a major step in coaxing John to his realization. He suffered mentally and emotionally because of his flaw, as the heat of the accusations intensified.
He witnessed his wife Elizabeth go through the agony of being accused as a witch. He suffers because he too was accused of betraying God. Their true suffering becomes apparent when Proctor confesses to adultery to pardon Elizabeth. Elizabeth lies in turn to save her husband's name. They endured this torment for each other. They endured it until their day of sentencing. This extreme anguish and emotional stress which Miller creates adds to the sense of tragedy. It is this emphatical grief which makes the conclusion of The Crucible so outstanding. Miller utilizes the sorrow to make Proctor's all-important realization that much more spectacular. However, in the Greek definition of tragic hero this suffering would serve as pathos. Pathos is the element of sympathy we place in the protagonist which evokes pity. In the Greek tradition this was an essential characteristic for the protagonist to possess. However, Miller does not see his tragedy as one that should include pity for the protagonist. "The possibility of victory must be there in tragedy. Where pathos rules, where pathos is finally derived, a character has fought a battle he could not have possible won."(Miller tragedy and the common man) This statement demonstrates the conflict in belief. Miller feels the protagonist must emerge victorious in some way where the Greek tradition relies on an emphasis of pity. In Miller's view, how can we have pity for someone who has won? This is where the conflict lies and as we see in Proctor's realization, “The Crucible" will hold true to Miller's definition.
In the final act we see how the essential strength or weakness of an individual is demonstrated during a grave crisis. In the face of death, Rebecca Nurse remains steadfast, refusing to tell a lie; she does not want to damn her soul in order to save her life. Under similar circumstances, Giles Corey rises to superhuman heights of bravery and determination, saying only “more weight” as heavy stones are laid upon his chest in an effort to make him confess. The characters above are, in my eyes, far more of a tragic hero than Proctor. They died for their beliefs, and showed no signs of braking in the face of death. The contrast between their unwillingness to give in to evil and Proctors readiness too, really emphasizes that he is far from a stereotypical tragic hero. He comes to the conclusion that his life is not worth sacrificing for the sake of a principle, especially when he is corrupt anyway, ‘Nothing is spoiled by giving them this lie that was not rotten long before’ (pg109). He listens to Hale’s argument that “God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride,” (pg108). In the end, Proctor decides that giving a false confession is not too high a price to pay for saving his own life.
This final act on Proctors behalf, also shows that he is willing to ‘blacken’ his name, thereby condemning his children, wife and potentially generations of Proctors to lives that they would have otherwise been able to lead happily. They would have to endure discrimination from the towns folk because their family was believed to have practiced witchcraft. This illustrates Proctor’s selfishness, not a very heroic quality. This lack of thought for others, the fact that he is only thinking of himself, also prevents us from pitying Proctor. This is an essential element of any tragic hero’s characteristics. They must be able to evoke pity.
Proctor learns something about himself and the world around him in his final realization before his execution. This is the concluding step in the establishment of Proctor as a tragic hero. "Tragedy seems to me to be an investigation of the possibilities of human freedom."(Kerr) Again, it is Proctor's freedom that makes him a tragic hero. ”If I have my life then who will judge me? God in Heaven, what is John Proctor, what is John Proctor? I think it is honest, I think so; I am no saint." (p110) This passage indicates that Proctor has come to see the truth. He has the freedom now, to not give in to them, to let God judge him, rather than the hypocritical town folk. "I think the tragic feeling is evoked in us when we are in the presence of a character who is ready to lay down his life, if need be- to secure one thing- his sense of personal dignity."(Miller) Miller's definition of tragedy is a clear cut example of Proctor's actions in "The Crucible." Proctor realizes that his confession to these people violated his freedom. He learned that we need to answer to God and God only for forgiveness. The confession revoked Proctor's dignity and his freedom. Miller says, "Tragedy enlightens... in that it points the heroic finger at the enemy of man's freedom." Proctor sees this and points a heroic finger at those people who tried to take his freedom.
In conclusion, I think it is a reasonable assumption to say that Proctor can be perceived as a tragic hero. He fits the classic Greek definition of a tragic hero. His actions also correspond with Arthur Miller’s perception of a tragic Hero. However the outcome of the question posed, is based entirely on the readers view of what qualities a tragic hero should posses.
In my opinion, looking at all the points raised, I feel that Proctor does fit my perception of a tragic hero. He most certainly was doomed to fail as soon as he set out to clear Elizabeth’s name.
I think that Miller definitely intended Proctor to exist as a tragic hero. He fits no description better than that of Miller’s, regarding the qualities a tragic hero should posses.
He also corresponds with Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero, he has the fatal floor that the philosopher speaks of, he does evoke pity, and his downfall is ultimately the result of his tragic floor.
Edward Fry 10W1 2766