John Proctor: Tragic Hero
Jarrod Downer
Emanuel County Institute
American Literature-Honors
Regina Tabor
8/29/13
In Arthur Miller's The Crucible, John Proctor serves as a tragic hero. A tragic hero is
defined by Susan Donovan as "a man of noble stature. He is not an ordinary man, but a man
with outstanding quality and greatness about him. His own destruction is for a greater cause or
principal. A tragic hero usually has a tragic flaw that eventually leads to his downfall" (The
Tragic Hero). The noble John Proctor displays these traits in his role in the classic play, The
Crucible.
Proctor is described by Miller as "a farmer in his middle thirties. . . [who] had a sharp and
biting way with hypocrites" (Miller, 20). As a long time respectful member of the town,
Proctor, has a lot of influence on the citizens of Salem. Proctor is very aware of his place in the
statue of his community.
Because of his pride he is reluctant to go to Ezekiel Cheever and tell
him of the information he heard from Abigail, that the dancing in the woods had nothing to do
with witchcraft. In the beginning, Proctor was too concerned with his reputation to openly admit
his adultery with Abigail. Proctor tries to reassure his wife that the relationship between the two
was ended when Abigail was fired from their home. Elizabeth struggles to give her husband the
benefit of the doubt and Proctor struggles with his own guilt. Proctor's pride keeps him from
coming forward with the truth of his affair until he becomes desperate to save his wife during the
trials.
As the play progresses John self destructs in order to prove to his community the importance
of truth. As the trials continue, Proctor gets angry as innocent and...