Who was John Proctor?

Answer 1

The American Heritage Dictionary describes a tragedy as a drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances. This definition of tragedy definitely applies to John Proctor's story in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. A reader could even say that Proctor started the entire Salem witch hunt. His one mistake brings about the deaths of many people and eventually, his own. Proctor is a conscientious man who virtually always acts morally, and this situation is a definite tragedy for it to fall upon such a person.

One of the first reasons why Proctor is a tragic figure is because he doesn't deserve the calamity that befalls him. Proctor is a moral man. On pages 20-21, Miller gives an introduction that gives some characteristics that show this. "In Proctor's presence a fool felt his foolishness instantly." This quote shows how Proctor seemed to be able to show people their sins and hypocritical ways. Proctor is portrayed as the type of man that makes everyone feel almost inferior and sinful, to the point where he is "marked for calumny therefore." Also, the introduction says that Proctor was a sinner, according to the society's moral standards, but also to his own. In the second paragraph of the introduction, it says, "He is a sinner… but against his own vision of decent conduct." The fact that Miller separates Proctor's moral standards and society's vision of decent conduct hints that Proctor's moral standards are set higher and unique.

Second, his one major flaw causes his own downfall. This is an example of a tragedy. In Act One, there is a scene in which Proctor and Abigail are left alone. In this dialogue, it is revealed to the audience that Proctor had an affair with Abigail. "I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I came near..." Throughout the entire story, Proctor ignores Abigail and tries to push his guilt away. He consistently turns Abigail down, but Abigail continues to chase after him. "I look for John Proctor… John, pity me, pity me!" She is desperate for Proctor, but he turns her down again and again. "PROCTOR: …We never touched, Abby… Aye, but we did not." It is this continuous rejection that drives Abigail to get rid of Elizabeth Proctor by accusing her of being a witch. Proctor then starts to fight Abigael's power in the court to free Elizabeth. However, Proctor loses to Abigail and is condemned to be hanged. His own mistake causes the entire village to go into a mad craze and results in his own death. This is a definite reason why Proctor is a tragic figure.

Finally, Proctor's death was heroic and it was a classic example of a tragic hero. First of all, he died for the village. His confession would have given more power to the court. When he showed the village that he would rather hang than confess to being a witch, he successfully took the court's credibility away. He prevented any more innocent people from being convicted and killed. His death made the case of the court seem more suspicious, and in the end, broke down the system. Second, he died without the guilt of his affair and without smirching his name. He wanted to preserve his honor and integrity, rather than give in to the pressures of the society. Also, he lifted the burden of his affair when he confessed in court and because Elizabeth forgave him. These show how the reasons for which he died are selfless and for a noble cause. He could have easily lied, proclaiming that he was a witch. However, his pride and his conscience could not stand lying to the entire village. Even when he knows he is going to die, he doesn't even shed a tear, and bravely goes to his death. This definitely depicts Proctor as the hero of the story who dies tragically.

As shown throughout the entire play and the evidence previously stated, Proctor an honest person. Everything about him, including the fact that he feels constantly guilty for his sin shows this. However, Abigail, whose only goals were revenge and lust, somehow gains a new level of power, and Proctor's flaw betrays him. Because of this, he is convicted as a witch. Despite the chance to live by saying that he is a witch, he chooses not to lie, thus helping to take down the court and save his pride from being smirched. His story exactly fits the definition of tragedy as stated before; Proctor is brought to ruin by a moral weakness because of his inability to cope with Abigael's attacks in court. Proctor suffers a great deal in this play, mostly because of his own irreversible mistake. However, in the end, he manages to make up for his flaws and dies without anything burdening him. Proctor dies a noble death. As Elizabeth says, "He have his goodness now…"