Why Is John Proctor Important In The Crucible

In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible a town starts massacring townspeople because a group of girls are pretending to be possessed by witches.  John Proctor, a character in The Crucible, is a Non-conformist who stubbornly avoids following the crowd and is honest by not being able to lie to the court. John Proctor’s character may revealed through his refusal to sign his name on a false confession, his inability to believe in the witches in the town and his honesty when confessing to the affair with Abigail.

His genuinely concern for Salem and his desire to save the town is what makes him a respected judge. Most government leaders want to help their communities or countries which was what Danforth and McCarthy set out to do. Danforth was an effective government leader, as he states he has been a judge for 23 years, he wouldn't have been a judge for so long if people had thought he was inadequate. Just like McCarthy wanted to rid America of communism, Judge Danforth wanted to rid Salem of the devil. Danforth truly believes that he is guided by God and for that reason he cannot falsely accuse someone. This will lead him to never question himself. In The Crucible Act III Danforth says, “I judge nothing… I have seen marvels in this court. I have seen people choked before my eyes by spirits; I have seen them stuck by pins and slashed by daggers. I have until this moment not the slightest reason to suspect that the children may be deceiving me.” This quote is showing that Danforth really thought the girls were being truthful, he thought what he was seeing was real and therefore he wasn't trying to wrongfully convict anyone. Danforth had come to Salem to help the community and had no other objective just as McCarthy had when he started trying to clear America of

As human beings, we each display specific traits and qualities that define our character and shape our personalities. The way in which we carry ourselves establishes our reputations, as well as how others identify us. We are each prone to making mistakes, and unfortunately, the mistakes we make can affect the way people see us as well. The struggle to regain a good name can be difficult and uncertain once someone’s reputation is tarnished. In Arthur Miller’s timeless play, The Crucible, a well-respected man named John Proctor betrays his wife and struggles to gain her forgiveness and his good name in the village of Salem. Although John Proctor betrays his wife, he

Furthermore, Judge Danforth applies the rhetorical appeal of ethos to prove that what he believes is right. By establishing his credibility as a judge and and a person, he hopes to convince the people of Salem to believe in what he is saying. He does so by making references to important religious figures. When Giles Corey refuses to give up the name of his witness, Danforth claims that “the government and central church demand of [Giles] the name of him who reported Mr. Putnam a common murderer” (Miller 97). By stating that both “the government” and the “central church” are demanding that Giles give up the name, Danforth is establishing authority behind what he says. He is utilizing ethos by showing that he is credible because of his connection with the government and the church. As these two establishments held the most power and importance in Puritan society, he significantly validates his points to the people of Salem by relating himself to them. Judge Danforth continues to establish his credibility by referencing a religious figure. He claims that the trial is justified because “the voice of Heaven is

“It takes twenty years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently” (Warren Buffett). Arthur Miller was a well known American playwright, essayist and a very important figure in the American theater. Arthur wrote some very important plays throughout his life and The Crucible was one of them. The Crucible is a very well written play about the Salem Witch Trials and how the people chose their own reputation rather than telling the truth and having a consequence for it. Having a good reputation in a small town like Salem is very crucial. This is evident throughout the acts in The Crucible, by Arthur Miller. John Proctor,

As we all know reputation is a really big deal in today’s society. Hardly any kid can be themselves because they are so scared they won't fit in or be popular. Many adults feel the same way. If there neighbor buys a boat, they feel like they should buy one to just fit in. In “The Crucible” it is the same way reputation is very important to them and they don’t want to ruin there reputation even if it is gonna sacrifice them being alive, they want to make sure they keep their good name in the community. In this novel there were a bunch of characters who cared about their reputation. Parris, Abigail, Rebecca Nurse, and John Proctor. The main two who cared about their reputation would be Abigail and John. Many characters in “The Crucible” are concerned about their reputations. Two of the main characters especially concerned with the betrayal of their reputations are Abigail and John.

He is a leader of the court and decides who is guilty, and who is innocent. The people of Salem believe that these two men came to protect Salem from witches. With high credibility from the public, Danforth and Hathorne’s decisions are trusted by the people of Salem. When Danforth realizes the mistakes he made with the people he sent to be hung, he continues to sentence people to be hung to keep his reputation. Danforth claims, “I cannot pardon these when twelve are already hanged for the same crime. It is not just.” (129). This shows that Danforth would allow more people to die, just to keep his high position, which highlights the power that Danforth possesses. He is able to sentence anyone who he believes to be a witch to death. The people of Salem did not want to question the decision of Danforth, since they did not want to get on his bad side. This show the influence that Danforth has on the people’s

In the play, The Crucible, Judge Danforth is an extremely important character. He plays a significant role in the plot of the story, mainly because he is the person who presides over the witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts. Generally, as a person, Judge Danforth is gruff and emotionless. Although, as the play goes on, one can tell that he is quite vulnerable and gullible at the same time. Danforth’s decisions and actions have a huge part in the story, and it is interesting to see how his beliefs play out.

In the play, The Crucible,by Arthur Miller.Many characters have desires that drive them to pursue certain things.This affects the plot in many ways.In this puritan society,people strongly cared what other people think of them and how their reputation stands in the village.They always strive to make sure their actions reflect wisely on their names.A major motivation John Proctor,Abagail,and Parris share is pride in their names,which eventually leads to their ultimate downfall.

¨Near to four hundred are in the jails… and upon my signature… and seventy-two condemned to hang by that signature¨ (87). Granted that Danforth holds high authority of the court, his stubborn personality is actually what gives him such sway in the town of Salem. This quote shows that he knows how powerful he is in the situation and won't hesitate to flex and use that power to his advantage. Danforth is conveyed as ruthless as he claims that ¨When I speak God´s law, I

By all means he doesn't want people to have doubt on him and himself that he sentence the innocence to death. Moreover, he never lets anything slide from him and tae job as a judge very seriously. For instance, it stated in the novel “Be quiet!... Be quiet!!” (Miller 120) In this quote this display a repetition and that words are being ignored or listened. Which means, that his caring his reputation very deeply by seeing the extra exclamation mark . “Who is this?” (Miller pg 92) In this quote it tells that Danforth does not know people in Salem and insecure about his place as a judge. During this discussion in the court, he feel that abnormal tensions and that someone can or will challenge his

A man 's reputation in many forms is his, life’s work. To have your reputation dismantled is like taking away one 's accomplishments and life’s work. Arthur Miller 's The Crucible is a play about justice and injustice, and how our justice system can be easily corrupted. The story revolves around a man named John Proctor, the tragic hero of this story. John Protector is a symbolic character created by Arthur Miller, because he faced the justice system head on. Proctor’s biggest flaw would be his great amounts of pride, which unfortunately led to his own death. In Arthur Millers’ The Crucible, he characterizes John Proctor as the tragic hero of the story because of all that he lost, through his relentless crusade to free his wife and exposing injustice, illustrating that no hero is perfect.

The mass witch hysteria in Salem. Massachusetts, deteriorated the rational and emotional stability of its citizens. The obvious breakdown in Salem’s social order led to the tragedy in which twenty innocent people were hanged on the accusation of witchcraft. At many points throughout the play there were opportunities to stop the witch trials; however, one character in particular prevented the crease in convictions. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Deputy Governor Danforth is responsible for the tragedy in Salem.

In the play The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, the character John Proctor will not lie and confess to something he did not do. Thus, he is hanged for his principles. Proctor has two main principles he felt were more important to respect and uphold than his own life. The most obvious one was his reputation. In theocratic Salem, where private and public ethics are regarded equally, one’s reputation plays an important role. In such an environment where reputation is regarded so highly many are afraid of guilt by association. Various characters base their actions on the desire to protect their own reputations, in order to keep them in the best light possible. Towards the beginning of the play, John Proctor sought to keep his good name

Reputation is extremely important in a town where social standing is tied to one’s ability to follow religious rules. Your good name is the only way you can get other people to do business with you or even get a fair hearing. Of course, reputation meant nothing when a witchcraft accusation was staring you in the face. But reputation is what made the Reverend hale begin to doubt whether the accused individuals were actually guilty. And it was for the sake of his reputation and his friends’ reputations that John Proctor refused to sign a false confession. He would, quite literally, rather die. Although John Proctor goes to his death falsely condemned as a witch, he gains his reputation and respect among those who matter, like his wife, because he refuses to falsely identify his friends and neighbours as witches. The loss of Abigail’s reputation toward the end of the play shows that characters in The Crucible eventually earn the reputations they deserve, despite the personal tragedies that might take place along the way. Having a good reputation is very important in The Crucible. It means you can be accepted by society. If you do not have a good name, you will be completely rejected. John Proctor would no longer be thought of a morally straight and righteous person. Reverend Parris would lose all his respect and not be accepted by society. Judge Danforth would be constantly questioned and lose his job. Keeping and maintaining your good name is an overwhelming theme in The