John Proctor: A Tragic Hero
Arthur Miller's "Th e Crucible" is clearly a representation of the true meaning of tragedy. John Proctor was the medium, in which Miller utilized to convey a universal depiction of tragedy. A broad definition of a tragic hero is a protagonist who, through faults and flaws of his own and in the society in which he exists, falters in the grand scheme of things. This mistake leads to suffering, which ultimately leads to a self-realization. Miller, himself, explained, "Tragedy, then, is the consequence of a man's total compulsion to evaluate himself justly," (Miller, Tragedy and the Common Man) leading us to believe that a greater theme encompasses this downfall. In Miller's article he conveys that tragedy revolves around two universal aspects: fear and freedom. "The Crucible" is a direct parallel to the multiple ideals of tragedy and thus centers on John Proctor's fear, freedom, and pride while he exists as a tragic hero. The first stage in the process of establishing the tragic hero for Miller was relaying the characteristics of John Proctor. It was essential that Proctor be viewed as the "good guy" in the plot, one who stands out or the audience can relate to. By describing the tragic hero as a "strong, steady, farmer" the
Proctor learns something about himself and the world around him in his final realization before his execution. This is the concluding step in the tragic plot. of these views can tragedy derive, simply because neither represents a balanced concept of life."(Miller, Tragedy of the Common Man) The second step in creating the tragic hero is emphasizing the mistake or flaw which brings upon the character's descent. It is in this stage that fear and freedom enter as a major part of John Proctor's actions. man. Nothing's spoiled by giving them this lie that were not It is this balance between the internal and external that opens the door for fear and freedom to enter. Fear is society's tool. In Puritan New England paranoia and fear were a common aspects of life. The people lived in fear of the devil, a physical devil that existed and walked among them. When word spread, speaking of witchcraft in Salem, that fear, that paranoia, emerged ever so imminently and thus began the tragedy. With the people's fear came rumors. Mrs. Putnam asked, "How high did she fly, how high?" of Betty clearly exhibiting that rumors of witchcraft were surfacing and spreading.(p.1040) Subsequently, from such rumors came the accusations. It was the accusations that proved most costly. People turned against each other saving themselves by accusing their neighbors. All of these consequences sprouted from fear in the hearts and minds of the people of Salem. Fear, however, only
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Approximate Word count = 1004
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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