Miller Writes, “It Takes An Individual Conscience To Stop The World From Falling”- How Does Miller Use Proctor As a Tragic Hero?
...acters. Through the play John Proctor has to overcome great emotional and moral hurdles and as a result his character develops and he becomes a totally different person. In the beginning of the play John was an average man who was well respected in the community and known for his honesty. It is said: “He was a kind of man- powerful of body, even tempered, and not easily led- who cannot refuse to support to partisans without drawing their deepest resentment”. (Narrator) This quote explains that John is a kind man, not easily led, a strong homestead farmer, upright, blunt-spoken and powerful of body. He is a puritan, a husband, a citizen, and an all around valuable member of the community. He does not set out with any intention on hurting anyone. In the beginning of the play John Proctor tries to avoid involvement in the Salem witch trials. Unfortunately he committed adultery with Abigail Williams while she was working in his home, thus the reason of his avoiding the witch trials. John has very low views of himself and his worth as a human being. John thinking low of himself, which is very moral of him because he committed not only a sin but a very immoral action which not only puts his own life in danger, but shatters his marriage with Elizabeth and puts her in a very awkward position. These low views of himself affect many of his decisions in the outcome of the play. One of the most moral and courageous things John Proctor does is confess to Elizabeth of his secret affair. John says, “I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man. My honesty is broke Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing’s spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before.”(John) This was one of the most important scenes in the play. It takes place during act II, scene III. He confesses to Elizabeth that he indeed is not a good man but a bad one. He had an affair and didn’t even consider the feelings of Elizabeth. His good morals overthrow the mistake he makes because he is not keeping this horrid secret his whole life but tells his wife who is his soul mate and the person he is spending the rest of his life with. He took a vow at marriage and he is upholding that vow by confessing to his wrong doings. If anyone else were to find out he would be accused of being a witch. John Proctor is a tragic hero in his efforts to save his wife from being put to death. He shows great courage when he tries to save everyone’s lives by admitting to the horrible offence adultery, and ends up losing the trial and his life. His first display of trying to save his wife is shown when the court officials come to take Elizabeth away. Proctor is very upset by the assault on his house that he decided to rip up the warrant and tells Mr. Cheever to leave his house saying, “Damn the Deputy Governor! Out of my house! Get y’gone with them! You are a broken minister.” This quote shows great courage because John Proctor finally takes a stand and sticks up for his beloved wife Elizabeth. Here he demonstrates his love for his wife. He rips up the warrant showing he is not afraid of anything such as problems that he will be faced with in the future. ]Proctor states the uniqueness of the accusers being innocent. He questions the fact that whoever accuses another person is completely innocent. His past with Abigail gives him the right to say this because he knows the type of person Abigail is. Abigail herself confessed to him that she wants to get rid of his beloved Elizabeth therefore causing him to have suspicions. He becomes aware that this might be one way of accomplishing that goal. Abigail felt if she got rid of Elizabeth, Proctor would come running into her arms once more and now for forever. Proctor shows signs of being a courageous hero when he attempts to go into court to save his wife and prove the girls liars. Now John assumes a more prominent role in the community. John Proctor assumes a leadership position in the movement to free Elizabeth Proctor, Rebecca Nurse and Mrs. Corey from prison. He becomes what many people doubted he could be- a strong courageous leader. He unfortunately gets accused himself. The girls turned on him and began to accuse him. Proctors courage and morals are shown once again when he denies he is a witch. Due to his stubbornness, morality, and pride he will rather die saying the truth rather than lying and confessing to something he in fact is not, a witch. Proctor denies being a witch until the day of his death. He was very close but his morals helped him realize that he would disgrace his good name and his children. The following quote is very powerful, “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name”. This shows how much courage John really has he will do anything to save his name and his integrity. He has a lot of pride in himself. It is evident, that John Proctor has a lot of courage and morals and is indeed a tragic hero. This is demonstrated by his crusade to save his wife, expose the children of lying, and not confessing he is a witch. His choice was to die an honourable and honest man which makes his death justifiable. John believes that he could have redemption for all his sinful acts in life by dieing for his principles. He is a very wise and strong man. John Proctor lived out his life as a noble Christian man. He can be described as even tempered, and not easily led and also respected and even feared. He is also stubborn and possessed a strong sense of right and wrong. Of all of the characters in ‘The Crucible’ Proctor was obviously the most sceptical. All of these are some of the traits that caused him to become a tragic hero. Over the course of the book, John Proctors state of mind changes greatly. During the beginning of the book he is relatively happy and content in his life. As the story progresses he becomes more and more angry and distraught. This is particularly evident in the quote: “We are what we were in Salem, but now the l...