The Crucible

             In Arthur Miller's, The Crucible, the protagonist, John Proctor, is often regarded as a tragic hero. A tragic hero is a person who "falls" due to a cg6ircumstance in their life in which they choose one course of action over another, resulting in their death. The audience must view the punishment as an injustice so great that it produces catharsis, which is a feeling of "emotional purgation" after witnessing the plight of the tragic h363wero. In the case of John Proctor, we see all of these. His "tragic status" is illustrated by his efforts to save his wife from being put to death, his attempt to prove the children are making pretentious claims, and his unwillingness to confess to practicing witchcraft when accused.
             In the play, the small town of Salem is overwhelmed in h4366ysteria after accusations had been made by Abigail Williams, and the other children, that several of the towns citizens have partaken in the practice of witchcraft. While the accusations are false, the widespread fear of the Devil being awwrq34yive in Salem led to the high court of Massachusetts setting up a stringent trial, or crucible, to force those who have been accused of witchcraft to either commit and be pardoned or plead innocence and be executed. John Proctor, while a well likdgdged citizen of Salem, usually did not bother with town affairs, that is, until his wife was accused by Abigail Williams, of practicing witchcraft. When the deputies arrive at the Proctor household, John demonstrates his effort to save his wife from being arrested. Proctor is so infuriated by this assault on his house that he rips the warrant and tells them to leave, saying, "Damn the Deputy Governor! Out of my house!"(77), demonstrating his intense love for his wife. Proctor again challenges the authority after ggddghis servant, Mary Warren, one of the girls testifying against individuals of the town, tells him that all the girls are ...

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The Crucible. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 07:08, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/96112.html