Crucible Essay

Essay by PaperNerd ContributorHigh School, 10th grade November 2001

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John Proctor was a man in his middle thirties. He was a farmer, with a biting way with hypocrites. He was also a man who could expose foolishness but also a sinner. Proctor was an Honest, courageous, and a much respected man.

Through out the story Proctor displayed honesty. One way he displayed honesty was when he confessed to his affair with Abigail. Although John does not admit it right away, he was provoked by Abigail's lies and cries for witchery. The court thought Abigail to be an innocent young woman and Proctor had enough. Proctor began yelling whore in the court room and Abigail denied that she was one. Proctor then told the court room the whole story about his affair and how he had "Known" her. This also displayed courage in Proctor. Not only did he confess and prove Abigail wasn't what she seemed, but he also got him and his wife involved in this whole controversy.

Another way that Proctor showed honesty was at the end of the story. Proctor was willing to confess so that he would not hang and he may be with his wife, but proctor could not sign a lie. He has an emotional break down when they try to get him to sign it. Proctor refuses to sign his name to lies and he cannot let it be posted on the church. He says, "Because it is my name! 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!" Proctor is also a much respected man. He was a very successful farmer who was looked up to by many people. He was a leader and very influential. At the end of the story the women who were also going to be hang were surprised that Proctor was even about to sign the confession because they knew how good of a man he was. Then when proctor does not sign his confession his wife respected his decision to hang and she said, "He have his goodness now, God forbid I take it from him!" Then when he was about to be hung the crowd was astonished and could not believe that a man like John would be hung.

This shows that even though John Proctor was a sinner he was looked up to in the village and was respected. To keep his reputation and his pride he chose to end his life by having a bitter hanging.