Crucible character analysis on John Proctor
During the mid 1950's, Senator Joe McCarthy led a campaign to expose alleged Communists in the State Department. Many called it a witch-hunt. In Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, the small town of Salem is engulfed in hysteria due to the accusations of children that many of the townspeople partook in witchcraft. Among the accused is John Proctor, a strong, steadfast farmer. Proctor is the tragic hero of the story. Even though he tries to become a hero but ends up being one of the accused. Proctor tries to remain a tragic hero through his efforts to save his wife from being hung, trying to prove the children as frauds, and not confessing to practicing witchcraft once he was accused. Proctor is a tragic hero in his efforts to save his wife. Proctor's first display of trying to save his wife is shown when the Court officials come to take Elizabeth away. Proctor is so infuriated by this assault on his house that he rips the warrant and tells them to leave rather forcefully saying, "Damn the Deputy Governor! Out of my house!"(77), demonstrating his intense love
It is evident, that John Proctor is the tragic hero. This is demonstrated by his relentless crusade to free his wife, expose the children as frauds, and not confessing to witchcraft. Arthur Miller chooses John Proctor to be the tragic hero of the story because Proctor had so much too lose. Proctor denies being a witch until the day of his death. He comes close to confessing to witchcraft but realizes that it disgraces his good name and it's all that he will leave his children. Proctor says, " I have three children-how may I teach them to walk like men in the world..." when he has sold his friends and his good name (143). Proctor also explains to the judge "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!"(143). With this plea Proctor dashes all hopes of living and has established himself as a tragic hero. Proctor establishes that the children are lying in court with respect to their accusations
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Approximate Word count = 749
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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