“There is no decision that we can make that doesn’t come with some sort of balance or sacrifice” (Simon Sinek). In The Crucible, a play written by Arthur Miller, John and Elizabeth Proctor’s relationship changes from one full of lies and conflict, to a relationship that demonstrates sacrifice, when both characters learn to put one another before themselves. Miller suggests that often sacrifice is a result to one’s honesty or dishonesty, but putting one another first is more important than the truth and lies. John and Elizabeth Proctor had a marriage that was polluted by lies and distrust, in the beginning of Arthur Miller’s play. Fights broke out between them often, when Elizabeth would question John about Abigail, a girl with whom John …show more content…
Elizabeth was convicted as a witch, to be executed by Abigail, because Abigail wanted John for herself. John felt the impact of the situation, and began to blame himself, “My wife will never die for me! I will bring your guts into your mouth but that goodness will not die for me!” (Miller 862). John called his wife goodness because of her persistent honesty. He admired her for her actions, so he knew he had to sacrifice anything to save her, so he decided to sacrifice his name. During the middle of a court trial, John told the judge about his actions with Abigail that sparked the situation. In Salem, rumors spread fast, and John knew that if he told the court soon everybody would know and they would judge him for it. Not only would he suffer public embarrassment but he also risked being put into jail for adultery. Honesty was highly valued in their society, and lying can often be found to be a sacrifice too. After John revealed the truth Elizabeth was brought into the court to explain if it was true or not. When asked directly whether John had cheated on her, Elizabeth decided where her loyalty lied, “No sir” (Miller 874). The lie resulted in John’s death, but at the time Elizabeth had tried her best at saving his life. She sacrificed her goodness, in hopes of keeping her
People have been sacrificing themselves for the good of society for centuries. However, why do people do this? Morality is the reason behind a human's desire to be good in immoral circumstances. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller exhibits how the characters' commitment to their values and the sacrifices they entail become more meaningful when the situation is grim. Miller states that sacrifices may be necessary to restore the social order.
At the beginning of the play, Abigail Williams lies to avoid trouble. She tries to protect her life over the life of others instead of doing the right thing by being honest about what happened in the woods. She lies multiple times in the play accusing others of witchcraft, although it was false. When the courts put Abigail to the test to see if she tells the truth, she fails and drags most of the town down with her. Unlike Abigail, Elizabeth has always been known for her honesty. Her husband John says that Elizabeth never told a lie. Yet when it matters most, Elizabeth lies to try to save her husband’s life. Ultimately, when Danforth and Hawthorne put her up to the test she fails to tell the truth and kills John. John, attempting to save himself, confesses to witchcraft. He lied to the courts and told them that he indeed was practicing the sorcery, when truthfully he was not. John thinks that this is the right thing to do to save his
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
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.
Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’ many characters relationships go through changes. The relationship that changes the most dramatically is John and Elizabeth Proctor. Their relationship starts as uncomfortable and rocky, but through the course of the play, they reconnect and love again.
Elizabeth still questions John’s loyalty throughout the play. Elizabeth comes off as an outspoken women and that isn’t really supported in the Puritan society. When convicted of witchcraft she doesn’t fight with the men because she knows she hasn’t done anything wrong. Even though she tries to do what she thinks is the best for John, she ends up saying the wrong thing and Abigail isn’t punished. Elizabeth ends up being pregnant and the trials end before she has her baby so she survives.
However, for a period of his life, John cheated on her with Abigail Williams. John ended the affair, and Abigail was not happy about it. She was hoping that John would leave Elizabeth, and marry her. When John ended the relationship, Abigail became extremely jealous of Elizabeth. She wanted her dead. So since John made her upset, Abigail accused Elizabeth of being a witch so that she would be hanged, and her and John could finally be together. After John was hanged for his “crimes” people started to be skeptical of the witch trials. Abigail suspected this would happen, and she knew that people would come after her to avenge the innocent people who
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
Many men don't think things through before acting, so it is believed John Proctor was an impulsive character throughout the story. "You can play brand new to all the other chicks out here- but I know what you are". John Proctor did what he felt was right by having an affair with Abigail but he wasn't thinkingof the concequences. Elizabeth knew all along and acted different around her husband. The outcome of John Proctors choices turned out to be a horrible mistake since his reputation and life were put on
In the beginning of the play it is believed that Elizabeth's husband John Proctor had an affair with Reverend Parris' niece and worker months before. This quote from John in the second act about Elizabeth shows remorse, “I have not moved from there to there without I think please you, and still an everlasting funeral marches round your heart,” and Elizabeth responds with starting a fight which she shows guilt for during and after. During act four when John had admitted to the affair with Abigail Williams, he stands in court with Elizabeth telling the judges lies about the affair and speaks to John, “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.” This quote shows that since their fight in the beginning of act two, and even before the play she had forgiven John for adultery against
In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, hysteria breaks out in Salem when young girls begin pronouncing accusations of witchcraft. One of the accused, Elizabeth Proctor and her husband, John Proctor, live on a farm where he provides and cares for their family. When Elizabeth becomes sick John is unfaithful and has an affair with one of the accusers, Abigail Williams. Through the course of the story, John Proctor moves from denial and deflection of his actions and their consequences in order to maintain his public dignity, to public confession and condemnation for his actions in order to soothe his conscience and maintain his internal sense of integrity. This progression is illustrated by his interactions with his wife, their accusers and the court, who ultimately condemns them.
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
In the story, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, many of the characters show a sense sacrifice. "Never sacrafice who you are just because someone has a problem with it" a quote from the baseball player Alex Rodriguez. Many of the character is The Crucible exercise this quote, such as John and Elizabeth Proctor.
Because Proctor had an affair with Abigail, he lived a life of guilt because he truly loved Elizabeth. In Act Three, the girls, John and Elizabeth are in the court. "Proctor, trembling, his life collapsing about him: I have known her, sir. I have known her..." (Miller, Act Three) Miller makes it clear how shameful he is of his act of infidelity by stating that Proctor's life is collapsing before him.
The Crucible, authored by Arthur Miller, captures John Proctor’s sacrifices that ultimately emphasizes the value he places on his reputation. In an effort to preserve the only thing left for himself, Proctor exclaims to those around him that “I have given you my soul; leave me my name” (Miller 130). Once he was met with the realization