The Crucible by Arthur Miller

The Saver, John Proctor

The Crucible was written by Arthur Miller about the Salem Witch trials that took place around the 1690's. Miller writes about the tragedy that led many innocent people to the gallows. One of the main characters, John Proctor, is in his 30's, married to Elizabeth Proctor, and lives just outside the town of Salem. He is a well respected man of his community until his affair with Abigail Williams. He is a farmer who tries to save his friends from dying. John Proctor's role in The Crucible is to show how integrity is much more important than living a lie. Proctor reveals three traits: honesty, courage and loyalty, to show his integrity.

John Proctor honesty towards god and his peers shows his integrity and helpfulness. Early in the play Arthur Miller reveals that John Proctor has committed adultery. Proctor not only confesses to his wife, but to the court as well. Proctor and his wife argue with one another frequently. Elizabeth eventually gains trust in Proctor, but it took her awhile even after he's told her the truth. Proctor believes that lying is a sin, and he would rather be up front no matter how difficult the truth may be. Not only confessing to his wife, but he has shown his honesty by confessing to the court, that he committed adultery. While in court, the young girls lie to cover up their behavior. They lie make

Robinson 1

weather conditions up by saying, it is freezing inside and it is was windy to distract one another. Abigail is the key source who starts feeling the conditions. While talking to Danforth, Proctor says, "[Abigail] used to serve me in my house, sir. A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything….she thinks to dance with me on my wife's grave" (3.1259). Proctor reveals that he has committed lechery because he wants to save Elizabeth. He tells the truth for a much larger reason but he feels he needs to tell the court now or he will be living a lie. Even today, people who tell the truth make it farther in life, than those who choose to lie.

John Proctor also reveals his integrity by being brave and courageous throughout the trials. Throughout the play, Proctor has to strive through all the emotions throughout the trials that come his way. He shows a side that many had never seen before. During the trials, Proctor is determined to get the truth out by saying, "how do you call heaven! Whore! Whore!" (3.1259). John Proctor denounces Abigail, because he knows that she's lying. Unlike the Putnams, Parris, and the other characters, they are too afraid to accuse Abigail of her lying because she would accuse them. Proctor stands up for what he knows is right, because he does not want to see any more people being hung. For instance, Hale gets Elizabeth to convince Proctor to lie about practicing witch craft. Proctor

...