Throughout Arthur Miller's The Crucible many innocent people are executed, not because of their wrongdoings, but because of the village's mass hysteria involving witchcraft. The fear that the devil is among Salem, Massachusetts causes the village authorities to wrongly accuse and prosecute many innocent victims. The village accuses John Proctor of having an association with the devil. Arthur Miller uses John Proctor's flawed character to emphasize that when faced with overwhelming evil one must be honest and "do what's right".
             John Proctor committed adultery with Abigail Williams. Proctor, a married man conducted a secret affair with a young girl. John Proctor threatened his housekeeper, Mary Warren because she would not submit to his authority. John Proctor made mistakes. Although Proctor is far from perfect, his flaws give no reason to judge his character, and ultimately kill him. Arthur Miller uses Proctor's flaws to bring the story back into reality. The characterization of Proctor shows that when one has committed evils in the past he/she can overcome them to start fresh. This enhances the message because the reader's realize that in the face of authority people should stand for what they know is right and fight for it. In a time period when The Crucible was written this work of literature emphasized personal choice. It opened people's eyes to what was happening around them, the Red Scare. John Proctor could have gone along with the authority and saved his life. He chose the higher route, and was honest and persevered. His past flaws proved that strong willed people can change. They will move on from a path of evil and uphold the principles they know are honorable. Arthur Miller was telling the American public not to be consumed in a "witch-hunt". Although the communists replaced the witches, the situation was familiar. Proctor committed wrongdoings in his past, yet
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