The Crucible
At the beginning of Arthur Miller's play The Crucible, John Proctor, one of the main characters, is perceived by the reader to be a man of little integrity or conviction. Ironically, the play ends with this man being taken away to be hung because he refuses to lie in order to save his life. Proctor, accused of consorting with the Devil, is given the chance to confess that he has been participating in witchcraft, but refuses because he is innocent. In The Crucible, Proctor changes from a timid character held in bondage by his sin to a strong, righteous man who will die for the truth. This drastic change in his character is the basis of his significance to the outcome of the play. The unyeilding faith of Proctor's wife, the influence of the people who share his beliefs and his triumph over an inner struggle help him make a decision that he believes will finally set him freeWhen John's wife, Elizabeth, discovers that he has been having an affair with their servant, Abigail Williams, she dismisses Abigail from her duties. Elizabeth feels betrayed and is resentful, but she cont
Another example of the change in Proctor's character is when John finds strength to tell the truth from the example set for him by the citizens of Salem whom he respects. As John dies Liz weeps saying " Hehave his goodness now. Elizabeth's last words, as John is being taken away, are, "He have his goodness now. Proctor is also torn between deciding to lie or tell the truth when he sees Rebecca Nurse, one of the most godly woman in the village. Yet as the play moves on and Hale sees all these honest and good people being sentenced and executed he too sees an inner conflict. He comes to grips with the fact that he will die but knows he will die a stronger man because of the decision he has made. His pride and selfishness diminish; he humbles himself and admits to his mistakes. Elizabeth also convinces her husband that she has faith in him at the end of the play when he asks her if he should lie and confess to witchcraft or tell the truth and die for it. John says to Elizabeth, "I see now your spirit twists around the single error of my life, and I will never tear it free!" (62). " Although his friends considered him to be upright, his guilt and shame from his affair with Abigail tainted his self-confidence. Elizabeth is an honest woman, and she displays her faith in John by challenging him to become a stronger person and admit to his mistakes. Their relationship is weakened by its brokenness, but Elizabeth is determined to save it. Elizabeth also convinces her husband that she has faith in him at the end of the play when he asks her if he should lie and confess to witchcraft or tell the truth and die for it.
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Acceptance Essays
