John Proctor’s main reason for going to the court in his own words are “I-I would like to free my wife.” John wanted Mary to go to court for many reasons; mainly he wanted to save Elizabeth from being hung but also to stop all the witch nonsense.
John Proctor was believed not to be a good Christian because he did not go to church regularly, we know this as John says in court to Deputy-Governor Danforth that he detests Reverend Parris. Reverend Parris is a minister who is more concerned with his reputation than his daughter Betty, he also happens to be the uncle of Abigail.
John said “I have no love for Mr Parris. It is no secret. But God I surely love.” John Proctor later admits to Danforth that he got to “know” Abigail-he had an adulterous relationship with her, which is against Christian morals and beliefs. Although John has done wrong, he has shown that he is a good Christian by confessing to the court when he knows he will be hung for his sin.
John reacts to the news that Elizabeth is pregnant with surprise. Danforth says that Elizabeth has had no signs of pregnancy, John is unconvinced by Danforth, “but if she say she is pregnant then she must be! That woman will never lie, Mr Danforth.” Danforth continues with the reminder that if Elizabeth is pregnant she will be saved from death for a year. Johns responds to this with silence. He is happy with the idea Elizabeth has a year to live even if the court decides she is guilty, but the thing that silences John is that if he is slayed the new baby will never see his father.
John presses on with the charge, he does this as his wife has been temporarily saved for now. John wanted to save all the other innocent people who had been accused so he had a petition put together, ninety-one members of the parish signed the petition.
Although Elizabeth had not been cleared she had a year to live, this why John decided to try to save the others accused, as they didn’t have much time to left.
Danforths intentions are not to hurt those of good principles, a person is either good or bad. Danforth speaks of his opinions “A person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between.... We live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. Now, by God’s grace, the shining sun is up and them that fear not the light will surely praise it.” Danforth believes that there is evil amongst us all and those who are on God’s side, those who believe and are not afraid of his power will be safe amongst all this hysteria.
During the court Abigail said to Danforth “Goody Proctor always kept poppets.” What Abigail had said was a lie, John Proctor told the court that Elizabeth kept no poppets and the poppet that had been found belonged to Mary Warren. A poppet (a small rag doll) was found in the Proctor household with a needle stuck into its abdomen, it had been made for Elizabeth Proctor earlier that day by Mary Warren. The minister who had discovered the poppet believed Elizabeth was dabbling in witchcraft, this is why Elizabeth was taken away. Abigail had told many people that Elizabeth ostracized her. Earlier that day Abigail was found with a needle wedged into her stomach, it was believed that Elizabeth had been intending to use the poppet as if it was a voodoo doll. Abigail’s side of events contradicted with John Proctor’s evidence.
Mary is frightened by the behaviour of Abigail, as she is afraid of being accused of witchcraft and being brought into this confusion when she is innocent. Mary used to be amongst Abigail’s group of girls and she is worried that they may revenge upon her because Mary had betrayed them. The girls during court imitate Mary and pretend that they are freezing, that they are fainting and a gigantic bird has been sent down to get them by Mary’s spirit. This is all a load of nonsense.
John Proctor accusation that silences Abigail- “She thinks to dance with me on my wife’s grave!” Abigail is still. Danforth asks her a question to which she replies “if I must answer that, I will leave and I will not come back again.” Abigail become angry, and shouts at Danforth for giving her such looks, she then turns around and makes her way to the door. Danforth orders her to remain where she is.
Danforth uses Elizabeth to test the truth of John’s accusations against Abigail by questioning her on why she had dismissed Abigail. Danforth seems slightly unsure of who to believe and what to believe. This is why he calls in Elizabeth, as her words may help write out the story. Elizabeth claimed that Abigail dissatisfied her, Danforth questions in what way. Elizabeth begins to feel pressurised does she admit and have her husband killed or does she lie? “I came to think he fancied her. And so one night I lost my wits, I think, and put her on the highroad.” Danforth then asks Elizabeth if her husband has unfaithful, “Is your husband a lecher?” To this she replies “ No Sir.” Elizabeth lies. She knew what she was doing yet her conscience was telling her opposite, Elizabeth did not want her husband to be hung although part of her deep down felt he deserved it. But Elizabeth is not the type who would express such a feeling although John had upset her, he was still her husband and she was still his wife.
Mary accuses John Proctor. Mary says “My name, he wants my name. “I'll murder you”, he says, “if my wife hangs! We must go and overthrow the court,” he says!”
Mary continues screaming at John, “No I love God; I go your way no more. I love God, bless God. Abby, Abby I’ll never hurt you more!” Mary acts as if she had the devil trying to come to her through John Proctor, even though she is innocent she does this to publicly have herself cleared. All doubt would have vanished.
Abigail wins Mary back by reaching out to hug her. Abigail believes that Mary is now showing signs of being one of them again, she has admitted to being unjust and says that she will not hurt Abby or the girls.
The scene ends rather melodramatically. John Proctor has Mary Warren throwing accusations at him, Danforth trying to wind him up, Hale trying to defend John hopelessly and a crowd of people gathering around them all whilst John loses his temper “You are pulling Heaven down and raising up a whore!” This tells everyone that its John Proctor who is with the devil.
The most gripping part of Act 3 is probably the part when Elizabeth is called into the court to be questioned whether or not John has committed adultery. I think this as Elizabeth is unsure of what to say, does she tell them the truth or doesn’t she? There is quite a lot of tension being built up by Danforth’s inquiries, with his response gradually getting harsh and impatient.
I cant help but feel sorry for John Proctor having lost almost all respect he had due to some foolish, immature girls who cannot own up to what they did wrong. The only mistakes John made were having Abigail hired for a housemaid and the lechery. At least he could own up to both. This Act shows the development of the Witchcraft hysteria of Salem and how it has pulled people down with it. It also shows the lies, the treachery and all that was misunderstood. I believe that the Crucible and The Salem Witch-hunt all have a simple moral
- To believe in truth, not the rumour.
