Character Analysis of John Proctor in the Crucible by Arthur Miller

Last Updated: 19 Apr 2023
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Does The Crucible demonstrate the decisions made by John Proctor are influenced through his relationships with other characters? The Crucible was a play written by Arthur Miller in 1953 and set in 1692 Salem during the peak of the Salem witch trials. Throughout the play Arthur Miller takes us on a journey through the lives and hardships of characters being accused and facing death. In The Crucible Arthur Miller shows how John Proctor's relationships with Abigail Williams, Elizabeth Proctor, and Rev. Hale motivate him to make decisions that ultimately lead to his demise.

Abigail Williams is the former lover of John Proctor, a young farmer and a servant of god who likes to keep to himself. It is slowing introduced that during the months Elizabeth Proctor was ill John Proctor was cheating on her with Abigail Williams. Because of his self respect, his wife growing increasingly unsick John Proctor and his love for Abigail fading it leads to John Proctor breaking away and ending his relationship with Abigail. “Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I'll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby" pg 15. It is because of his strong love for his wife Elizabeth Proctor that it motivated him to break tied with Abigail.

Elizabeth Proctor is the wife of John Proctor. In the Crucible it is mentioned that she very many months which leads to her husband John Proctor to cheat on her with Abigail Williams. Once she recovers from being sick for so long there's a lot of awkwardness between her and John Proctor. "Spare me! You forget nothin' and forgive nothin'. Learn Charity woman. I have gone tiptoe in this house all seven months. Since she is gone. I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you, and still an everlasting funeral marches around your heart" pg 28.

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It was because of his relationship with Elizabeth during her sickness that led to John Proctor's decision to cheat on Elizabeth with Abigail. Rev. Hale is well known and respected man in Salem and is flooded with guilt during the trials knowing these people aren't witches. He is friends with John Proctor and defends him to a certain extent when John Proctor is facing trial. "I cannot say he is an honest man; I know him little. But in all justice, sir, a claim so weighty cannot be argued by a farmer. In God's name, sir stop here, send him home and let come again with a lawyer" pg 49. In this sentence is shows Rev. Hale presents the fact that these trials are a sham and knows Proctor will be convicted and wants to give him a better chance.

Elizabeth, Abigail and Rev. Hale all demonstrate that John Proctor's relationship with them influence his actions and thoughts. In The Crucible Arthur Miller shows how John Proctor's relationship with Elizabeth, Abigail and Rev Hale motivate him to make bad decisions that ultimately lead to his own demise.

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Character Analysis of John Proctor in the Crucible by Arthur Miller. (2023, Apr 19). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/character-analysis-of-john-proctor-in-the-crucible-by-arthur-miller/

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