To what extent can John Proctor be described as a tragic hero in Arthur Miler's 'The Crucible'

Authors Avatar

To what extent can John Proctor be described as a tragic hero in Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’?

In 1952, Arthur Miller wrote the famous play, ‘The Crucible’. The play did not only deal with the Salem witch-hunts of 1692, but was also an allegory of a dark chapter in American History. This period is often referred to as McCarthyism, which occurred during the fifties. One of the plays most prominent characters is a steadfast farmer, John Proctor. Throughout the play John Proctor is the medium which Miller utilized to convey a universal depiction of tragedy. A broad definition of a tragic hero is a protagonist who, through faults and flaws of his own and in the society in which he exists, falters in the grand scheme of things. This mistake leads to suffering, which ultimately leads to a self-realization. The famous Greek philosopher Aristotle defined tragedy as "the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself." It incorporates "incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish the catharsis of such emotions." The tragic hero will most effectively evoke both our pity and terror if he is neither thoroughly good nor thoroughly evil but a combination of both. The tragic effect will be stronger if the hero is of higher than ordinary moral worth. Such a man is shown as suffering a change in fortune from happiness to misery because of a mistaken act, to which he is led by his tragic flaw.                                                        Miller, himself, explained, "Tragedy, then, is the consequence of a man's total compulsion to evaluate himself justly," (Miller, Tragedy and the Common Man) leading us to believe that a greater theme encompasses this downfall. In Miller’s article he conveys that tragedy revolves around two universal aspects, fear and freedom.                                                                                   However, when I personally think of a tragic hero, I think of someone who has the potential for greatness but is doomed to fail. He is trapped in a situation where he cannot win. I feel that a tragic hero should always, unjustly fall.

The first stage in the process of establishing the tragic hero for Miller was relaying the characteristics of John Proctor. It was essential that Proctor be viewed as the so called "good guy" in the plot, one who stands out or the audience can relate to. He is described as a "farmer in his middle thirties" with a “powerful body" and a "steady manner", (p.19) and is already being established as the protagonist in which we sympathize. John Proctor's description also provides another outlet to convey the dynamic nature of his character. While the physical side of Proctor deteriorated towards the conclusion of the story a contrast is created. John is said to be "...another man, bearded, filthy, his eyes misty as though webs had overgrown them,” (p.123) an obvious discrepancy from his initial condition. Thus, John's physical delineation is an apparent parallel to the changes he emotionally undergoes making him a dynamic character. This dynamism allows us to empathize with proctor and makes us feel that the predicament he is in is all the more tragic.          Miller also establishes Proctor as the protagonist by giving him qualities the audience can find favor with. John went against the normality’s and conceptions of the townsfolk. An aspect we can truly justify, especially in such a corrupt society. Proctor's practical nature is indicated when he often does not attend Church. He does not agree with Parris' talk of hell, exclaiming "Can you speak one minute without we land in Hell again?" (p.28)  and thus turns away from the Church, clearly emphasizing that rebellious side. Paris is not the only authoritative figure that Proctor comes into confrontation with during the play though. Judge Hathorne, Reverend Hale, and Deputy Danforth are other prominent figures in the running of the trials.  ‘The courts are corrupt Elizabeth, the courts and those who uphold the supposed justice’. Although each of these characters plays an independent role, together they serve as the representative spectrum of the political and religious order in Salem. Parris and Hale are caretakers of the soul, while Hathorne and Danforth embody the law. Together, however, all four only serve to achieve destruction of that which they are supposed to uphold. With the exception of Hale, they are more character types than characters, serving as symbolic representatives of the corrupted social order. Proctors conflict with these characters can be perceived as heroic, for it illustrates the fact that he will stand by his morals even if that means opposing those with the power to have him executed.

Join now!

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 ...

This is a preview of the whole essay