Study of John Proctor in the Crucible

Essay by kentuky88High School, 11th gradeA, December 2014

download word file, 9 pages 0.0

Study of John Proctor in The Crucible by Arthur Miller

A good man learns from his mistakes, takes care of his loved ones, and protects others. During the Salem witch trials, it was hard to find a good man, a man that would give his life to save not only his family but the innocent, the accused, and the village. However, in Arthur Miller's The Crucible, John Proctor proves to be the good man the village needs. He tries to avoid any drama in the village. He is perceived as a sinner because he goes against society's rules and his own moral behavior and values; however, he knows his own mind and does not give into social pressure. John Proctor finds his goodness by resisting sin, combating rumors, defending his friends and family, and protecting his good name; therefore, he ultimately puts an end to the Salem witch trials.

Although Proctor commits adultery, he starts to achieve goodness by resisting the temptation to commit sin again. In the beginning of Act I, Abigail William, Mercy Lewis, and other girls in the village are caught dancing in the woods by Reverend Parris, Abigail's uncle. Two of the girls, Betty Parris and Ruth Putnam, pretend to be sick and lie in bed with no movement. Abigail, Betty, and Mary Warren, the Proctors' servant and one of the girls that was in the woods, talk about the night in the woods and Betty says that Abigail drank a charm to kill John Proctor's wife, Elizabeth Proctor. John Proctor comes into the room to find out what mischief has the village talking of witchcraft. Mary Warren and Mercy Lewis leave Abigail and Proctor in the room and Abigail confesses to Proctor that the girls are pretending. She also tells him she...