Character Analysis: Elizabeth Proctor Elizabeth Proctor can be characterized as a devout pacifist, she aligned her Christian principles with her moral principles, causing her to reject and emphasize certain aspects of Puritan society. This is seen in ACT I during John Proctor and her’s lunch when she refused to tell him how she felt about his lechery, Arthur Miller exemplified this by having her state to John, “I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you. I never thought you but a good man, John- (with a smile)- only somewhat bewildered” (pg.167). She didn’t permit herself to judge his character or give him forgiveness as a means to avoid further friction. Elizabeth was also emotionally constipated, and her constipation was dubbed by herself as being a cold wife with during their last reunion. “I have read my heart this three month, John. Pause. I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery (pg.206). She fell into a confessional tone when she followed with, “John, I counted myself so plain, so poorly made, no honest love could come to me! Suspicion kissed you when I did; I never knew how I should say my love. It were a cold house I kept!” (pg.206). She lays herself out to him and openly admits that she did not know how she was supposed to love John as a person or as a wife. In exploring more of Elizabeth Proctor’s character, one would find that she exhibits a flat and static character. She exhibits the simplified version
In the beginning of the play Elizabeth Proctor is portrayed as a naïve weak women despite her loyalist to her family and God. Elizabeth was very reserved and introverted which led to her downfall. She was seen as a “doormat” and was emotionally detached from her husband. In the play we learn of Elizabeth's sickness causing her to hire Abigail Williams, while she was sick she became detached from her husband causing him to commit lechery with Abigail Williams. Later we learn that Elizabeth blames her self for Johns Lechery"it needs a cold wife to prompt lechery", (Miller 137). Despite the love for her husband, Elizabeth's inability to express her feelings
She is an unmarried orphan and described as beautiful and intelligent, however she is very vengeful and seeks for power. In addition to that, she is a liar, manipulative and selfish.
Elizabeth Proctor’s ironic white lie demonstrates that a robust reputation is helpful, even necessary, for survival. After John Proctor confesses to adultery and admits that the affair was the reason for Abigail’s dismissal, he tells Judge Danforth to summon Elizabeth and confirm the statement as “she has never lied” (Miller 79). When Elizabeth enters the room, Danforth commands her to look only at him, ensuring that she does not refer to her husband for advice or assistance. Elizabeth denies the lechery saying, “My husband—is a goodly man, sir” (Miller 80). When Elizabeth denies John’s adultery, therefore
Within the community of Salem, John Proctor is a well known member of the community who has a reputation of always doing what’s right. When he is confronted by Abigail about their affair, she insults his wife, Elizabeth, by calling her “a cold, sniveling woman…”(I.202-205). He does what is right by defending his wife’s honor by snapping back, “You’ll speak nothin’ of Elizabeth!” (I.197-198). Even
Elizabeth is also strong and courageous. When John is accused of witchcraft, Elizabeth is willing to follow along with the decision John decides about whether he wants to confess or not. She knows if he confesses he will be living a lie and if he tells the truth, he will be put to death. Although the decision John makes will affect Elizabeth and she wants John alive, she is courageous towards John by showing her support and love. Elizabeth knows she must put her opinions to the side and John must construct this decision on his own. Elizabeth states, “I cannot judge you, John, I cannot” (Miller). Elizabeth is also strong because she was falsely accused by Abigail and
In Act 3 you see that he is doing his best to fulfill his promise to
In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, various characters, whether it is from physical trials or unseen personal struggles, experience some kind of major conflict. There are those who spend every day in fear, wondering whether or not they will be falsely accused of witchcraft. There are others who struggle with more internal trials, such as forgiving those who have hurt them. The protagonist, John Proctor, was a man of strong moral constitution, and held himself to a high standard for the sake of his good name and family. As a result of this, he struggled with a major internal conflict throughout the play.
"How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave my name!" (Proctor) John Proctor a farmer, and the husband of Elizabeth. He had an affair with Abigail Williams while she worked as a servant in his house. John is a powerful man in both build and character. " John Proctor is a tormented individual. He believes his affair with Abigail irreparably damaged him in the eyes of god, his wife Elizabeth, and himself. True, Proctor did succumb to sin and commit adultery; however he lacks the capacity to forgive himself." (www.cliffsnotes.com) John Proctor goes from being loved and well respected to a sinner and later on becoming a tragic hero which was surrounded by strong feelings and beliefs.
What do you think of when you hear the word heroism? Is it a person becoming a hero or the acts they do which may lead to another act making them seem like a hero? Elizabeth Proctor is considered heroic in the Crucible because she is able to keep her composure even through some scary circumstances. Elizabeth Proctor is considered heroic in the Crucible because she is able to keep her composure even through some scary circumstances.
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible presents Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams who serve important roles through their unique characteristics and thinking. John Proctor’s wife, Elizabeth, has two defining characteristics that show throughout this play: she not only lives to please everyone around her and behaves passively, but she lacks the assertiveness to confront what lies directly under her nose. However, Abigail, the girl John Proctor commits the crime of adultery with, manipulates those around her. She is keen to act upon an opportunity when one arises and feels a determination to get her way. While Elizabeth and Abigail are similar in their love for John Proctor, Elizabeth differs from Abigail through her tendency to try to please everyone and keep her own emotions bottled up, while Abigail believes the world revolves around her and works to make things go her own way.
The loving wife, Elizabeth Proctor, is married to John Proctor whom which she bears three young boys with. Elizabeth Proctor is a moral Christian women who stands strong in her faith. As a women in this time period, Elizabeth didn’t actually have a job, she was the caretaker of her family. Elizabeth loves her husband, she loves him so much that she
Elizabeth Proctor is the wife of the main character John Proctor who was trying to save their marriage, but John’s affair with Abigail put Elizabeth in danger. Elizabeth’s goal is to save Proctor’s and her marriage by telling the truth to each other. But the truth may have later come back to “haunt” her and she came to a point where she didn't tell the truth about John in the court. Elizabeth feels pressured because of Abby and she want’s the truth about her to be out in the village so they do not have to suffer because of her. Proctor says, “I am only wondering how I may
She even said, “it needs a cold wife to prompt lechery”, (Miller 137). around the end of the play. One reason she distrusts John, is that he has claimed he was not alone with her. He later says that he was, in fact, alone with her for a short while. It takes a person of strength to be able to take that lie he gave and still control herself in the manner a wife should do. It was her inner strength that showed her that “it were a cold house she kept”(Miller 136). and needed to fix that problem.
all faith in him, she feels that he does not want to prove Abigail is
In a town plagued by judgment and fraud, Elizabeth Proctor is an outlier. With impeccable morals and ethics, Elizabeth Proctor attempts to stay adamant with her traits despite the hysteria that provided a challenge. Throughout the story of “The Crucible,” Elizabeth proctor is constantly put under severe tests that impact both her character and others that are close to her. Much like many other characters from the story, Elizabeth discovers the faults in herself and how they furthered the hysteria of witchcraft in Salem and surrounding communities. Elizabeth undergoes several ordeals that directly influence her as a person, and she grows and develops along with the story of “The Crucible.” All of theses tests display a great deal of