The Crucible Essay Research Paper THE CRUICIBLEThe

The Crucible Essay, Research Paper THE CRUICIBLE The typical classical hero is high ranking, has admirable traits and dies as a result of some fatal flaw. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller presents John Proctor, as a character who is worthy of being praised as a hero. Though Proctor is not elevated in rank, he does meet the rest of the hero criteria, for he is a very respectable and admirable character whose flaw contributes to his downfall. John Proctor evolves as a hero through several stages. We see him throughout the play surprising the reader with his growth. Through the play we see him change from a self-pitying man to an honest and open man. Though he is a good-hearted character, his overwhelming self-pitying nature and his episode of adultery flaws him. Through his

relationship with Elizabeth (his wife) and others of the witch trial, we see how John Proctor grows into a classical hero. The witch trials in Salem spread like wildfire, and it soon becomes obvious that the trials are carried away when honorable people of the town are brought to death. John Proctor dies, because unlike the others of Salem he will not lie; he will not denounce himself or others by signing the pardon, which would grant him his life, but not his name. Though Proctor is just a common person who has only one small flaw, he emerges as a great hero in this tragic play. Proctor?s heroic death at the end of the play occurs because achieves goodness in himself. Proctor feels deeply ashamed of his affair. He is very sensitive to the fact that Elizabeth knows about the

incident. They love each other, but he has broken a sacred trust. As a result, they tiptoe around each other insecurely. Proctor wants to make her feel good but he resents ?? [her] suspicion??(p.55 Proctor). In the Act II Proctor says: Spare me! You forget nothin? and forgive nothin?. Learn charity woman. I have gone tiptoe in this house all the seven month since she is gone. I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you, and still everlasting funeral marches round your heart. I cannot speak but I am doubted, every moment judged for lies, as though I come into a court when I come into this house! (p.54 Proctor) Here, Proctor has gone wild with rage, for he wants to forget his deed, and he wants Elizabeth to forget as well. It seems that just as his wife

cannot let go of his deed he cannot let go of this wrongdoing either, even though it occurred so long ago. Though he has committed adultery, he loves his wife. Through a series of dramatically ironic events in the court scene of Act III, he shows how much he loves and cares for her. This part of the play begins when Proctor swears Elizabeth?s goodness and says that he will ??not give [his] wife to vengeance?? (p.77 Proctor). Moreover, Proctor shows how much he loves his wife when he openly admits of his affair with Abigail in the courtroom. He admits this sin because he knows that he is the source of Abigail?s allegations regarding Elizabeth: I have made a bell of my honor! I have rung the doom of my good name ?you will believe me, Mr. Danforth! My wife is innocent, except she

knew a whore when she saw one. (p.111 Proctor) Proctor shows his true and honest nature. He says that Abigail was fired from their house because Elizabeth ??knew a whore when she saw one?? (Pg. 111 Proctor). To him, his wife?s good name and well being is more important than his. While his intentions were good when he confessed to lechery in court, his results were other than he had anticipated. When he claimed that his wife knew about his act of adultery, the high court ordered her to come testify to this affair. Though when Elizabeth comes before the court, she lies pretending that she does not know of this act of adultery, thinking that she is saving her husbands name, not realizing that he is trying to save her. This emotional and ironically dramatic scene show how close they