John Proctor - Character Analysis

The character John Proctor from Arthur Miller’s; The Crucible is a model example of a tragic hero. Proctor is initially made out to be a character that has committed the sinful crime of adultery and is struggling to re-establish his trustworthiness in himself and his wife. As The Crucible progresses a great transition in nature and character occur in John Proctor, making the audience sympathize with him when his downfall occurs. A tragic hero is defined as someone usually of great stature that falls into a condition of sheer depression. As the audience witnesses the fall of this character they would feel helpless understanding that the fall of this hero was caused by chance, fate or a critical flaw in his character. This essay will outline how John Proctor is initially portrayed by Arthur Miller, what the chinks in his armour are, how his character strengthens, and how John Proctor’s inner strength prevails towards the end of the play.

The audience first see John Proctor as a man of great stature and impeccable wit that has committed a degrading act, which now makes him weaker in personality and filled with guilt. A sense of suspicion also lingers about him, since his wife does not completely trust him

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Within the same act the audience see Proctor in the light of a stern irritable man trying his utmost to erase his sin of committing adultery. When he is confronted with Abigail, he is forced to hold back whatever is left of his desire toward her and he seems to struggle to make the right choices.

In the end John Proctor is accused and convicted, this in turn will reveal his true character.

The redemption of Proctor’s character has begun. John when given the choice to make a public confession, bring shame on those who stand by the truth, and live or to stand by the truth and others that believe in it, and be hanged. He realises that he must help the community and that he also must put aside his pride for the good of others to stop Abigail. Alternatively, Proctor could have taken a more active part in the congregation to oppose Parris. Proctor now challenges the hypocrites and shows to the audience that maybe those Christians who follow exactly to code maybe the ones who are really afflicted with the devil. To overcome the two people, Proctor will require self-humiliation. Proctor becomes less liked with the audience. This action, in a tense situation reveals to the audience that Proctor though flawed is deep down a good man. He informs Abigail ‘I will cut off my hand before I ever reach for you again’. Proctor now accepts that he must face the court and Abigail for his wife now stands to hang. He almost yields into the offer, signing a document of confession. Now the audience feel for Proctor as they see his desperation and willingness to do good, stand out against his flaws.

Approximate Word count = 1352
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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