In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, most of the characters are those of weak values, afraid to stand up for what is truly right. They see the actions of others, willing to give their lives to show that the leaders have it all wrong, and continue to persecute innocent people. Elizabeth is not such a character; she is devoted, strong and sees what is wrong in Salem. She does not give in to the lies, despite it nearly costing her life. Elizabeth Proctor’s strength and bravery help her to endure a struggling marriage, an accusation of witchcraft, and her husband’s actions as a martyr. Early on, Elizabeth is confronted with the issue of a struggling marriage. She and her husband John find that their relationship is rather strained because Elizabeth …show more content…
She is faced with helping her husband make the biggest and most final choice in his life so far. Since they have been apart for a while, separated by prison, it would be incredibly easy for her to say that he should live and give up his good name just so she can still have her husband and her kids have their father. It would be incredibly difficult for her to see John for a few minutes after a long time apart and say he can sacrifice himself for the greater good. However, she sees the situation as that: him sacrificing himself for the greater good. She is also strong enough to admit part of the blame is her own, that she has a hand in the guilt he feels about their relationship. His guilt is what is driving him to prove himself good. This leads her to decide she is not in a place to judge his actions or control his future, so she says to John, “Do what you will. But let none be your judge. There be no higher judge under Heaven than Proctor is!” (137). She stands as figure of strength for John, for her kids and unborn child, and for Salem. She gives up her husband so he can do what he believes, so he can show what is right to Salem. She knows he would not be able to stand himself, live with himself, if he stayed alive after the deaths of so many innocent people, so she puts her needs aside and tells John what he needs to …show more content…
After her husband’s affair, their relationship is very weak and it is difficult for Elizabeth to even see her husband’s face. Next, Elizabeth is accused of witchcraft, and she has to go to jail for crimes that she never committed. Finally, her husband is also accused of working with the devil, and either has to die whilst telling the truth, or live based on a lie. She puts aside her needs and says what is best for her husband, and what will set the best example for her kids. All of these situations require strength in order for her to survive them. Elizabeth’s bravery and strength is a huge part of who she is. She is a source of goodness among so many others who chose to go along with the madness. Values as strong as these provide a shed of light in the midst of something as detrimental as the witch trials, where the poor values of others cost dozens of
Elizabeth is a goodly Christian women. Everyone in the town knows that Elizabeth is one of the most honest people. In The Crucible she was asked if she was a witch and she told people no. I, just like Elizabeth am an honest person.
In the pristine 17th century Christian community, it became standardized in accordance to the Bible that, “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct” (English Standard Version, 1 Peter 3:1). Most wives in Salem during this time period closely follow their role outlined in the holy scripture, but Elizabeth Proctor undergoes a journey that alters her perception on this religious fixation. However, in his 1953 play, The Crucible, Arthur Miller traces Elizabeth Proctor’s search for her dignity as she discovers the true role of a proper wife to illustrate that given a world that defines a
Elizabeth Proctor is a complex and dynamic character in Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible." She is a strong and moral woman who is deeply devoted to her husband, John Proctor, but also struggles with her own personal guilt. Elizabeth is a symbol of purity and righteousness in the face of the witch trials, and her refusal to falsely confess to witchcraft is a powerful statement against the corruption and hysteria that has taken over the town of Salem. Despite her initial reluctance to forgive her husband's infidelity, she ultimately shows her love and forgiveness, which leads to John's redemption. Elizabeth's strength and integrity make her an influential and admirable figure in the play.
The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. The trials resulted in the executions of twenty people, fourteen of them women, and all but one by hanging. The play was written in 1952 after the Red Scare in America that caused much hysteria, like the Salem witch trials. In the play, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Each of the characters of Proctor, Hale, and Elizabeth changed from the beginning of the play to the end of the story. Proctor becomes more honest; Hale becomes more skeptical, and Elizabeth becomes more forgiving.
The Evolution of Elizabeth Proctor Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible is a compelling look at the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Elizabeth Proctor began as doubtful of her husband, John Proctor, but ends up having faith in him in the end. She still believed her husband was still in love with Abigail but Proctor soon proved his love for Elizabeth throughout the play. Elizabeth evolves from a woman who doubts her husband, but then evolves into a woman who risks her life to save her husband. Elizabeth continues to question her husband's faith causing an argument between the two.
Goodness and nobility is determined by an individual’s morality and their willingness to follow a virtuous path in their life. It is also determined by the ability of an individual to acknowledge their shortcomings and become more self-aware. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John Proctor is a good man as he showcases righteous morals and principles. This is shown, as he ends his affair with Abigail, protects his wife and his friends’ wives, and dies to preserve his integrity and honour. First, John Proctor shows his goodness, by refusing the physical advances of Abigail, who wishes to continue their love affair.
Both John and Elizabeth are controlled by their gender roles. Their relationship is ruled by these things. Through a thorough analysis of John and Elizabeth’s marriage in The Crucible it is clear how gender roles how impacted and ruled their relationship. John and Elizabeth’s marriage has many problems all stemming from one underlying cause, the gender roles of the Puritan time. They are not open with each other, do not trust each other and are trapped in their toxic marriage.
In the book The Crucible by Arthur Miller many characters were portrayed throughout the book. The two characters I am going to go into depth about are Elizabeth and John Proctor. Elizabeth and her husband, John Proctor, were accused of witchcraft, tried, and sentenced to hang. Elizabeth Bassett Proctor, was born to William and Lexi Burt Basset in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1652. She grew up to marry John Proctor, who was about 20 years older than her, on April 1, 1674.
For example, Elizabeth has a family to support and care for. As a mother, she is compelled to be honest towards her children. In displaying honesty towards her kids, she learns herself that honesty is very important. To her best ability, Elizabeth
As I’m sure you are already aware, Elizabeth has been accused of bearing a pact with Lucifer, and she has been taken to the jail upon your word. I know just as well as you do, she is innocent of the evils you have claimed. She is joined by many others you have falsely accused. The calamity you have begun will soon see a sizable number of people hanged in the name of your “divine purification”. I cannot vouch for the purity of this village, but I know that the evils at play here are motivated by your own vendetta against my wife, and not by the wicked hand of some Antichrist.
The court presents him with an ultimatum with which he can plead guilty and live or be hanged with the others who didn't confess. After speaking with Elizabeth, John decides that he wants his life and surrenders to a confession. After he signs the confession, he also tears it up signing his own death warrant so to say, not wanting to live a lie. As Reverend Parris and Hale are about to object, John pronounces "...for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor..."(133), referring to his honesty. He would rather die for the greater good, which are the honest people in society.
Character Analysis of Elizabeth Proctor In the play, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor is the wife of John, who committed adultery with a 17 year old girl, Abigail Williams. Elizabeth is a dynamic character in the play, who changes her view on her husband’s wrongdoing when instead of blaming it all on him she takes some of the blame and says the some of her insecurities stopped her from believing in his love. Although she’s cold, Goody Proctor is a good wife to John, staying loyal through his trial and his imprisonment.
The well known drama, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, delivers an outstanding depiction of the Salem Witch Trials. With many characters deemed as selfish and or sacrificial, it gives the reader the opportunity to decide whether the character was only worried about himself or that they would risk everything for the betterment of the people around them. John Proctor can be seen as both selfish and sacrificial, but he is seen as sacrificial in my eyes. This man is willing and eventually does die to show that you should not believe everything you hear without valid
Defense of Elizabeth Proctor In the play, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, Abigail Williams charged Elizabeth Proctor with witchcraft. The evidence presented to the court against Elizabeth Proctor is inadequate and not justified. Elizabeth is a proper and honest woman. Elizabeth is definitely innocent of any allegation of dealing with the Devil.
Elizabeth is the victim of Abigail’s heartless actions and affair. These two women are almost complete opposites. Both characters struggle and fight through the story in their own ways. Abigail is the villain in this play.