The Crucible Essay
What others think about you is all people seem to care about. So when your reputation is good and is on the line, you will do almost anything to protect that. Reputation is the main value that the characters in The Crucible are trying to protect.
The character John Proctor has a reputation within the village. “He is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion of the time, but of his own vision of decent conduct.” (144). This quote means that John Proctors reputation is being a sinner and has no respect for his conduct. John Proctor in the eyes of the towns people is a sinner and now he has to try and prove to them that he is a good person. “If you’ll notice, sir-they’ve known the women many years and never
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“Mr. Cheever, have warrants drawn for all of these-arrest for examination.” (Danforth 182). The girls that were caught doing witch craft now they have warrants out for them because of it. The girls’ good reputation has been ruined now that they got caught. “…I have here an accusation by Mr. Corey against you. He states that you coldly prompted your daughter to cry witchery upon George Jacobs that is now in jail.” (Danforth 182). This shows that someone thinks that the girls did perform witch craft and now that there is an accusation against them, the whole village will know what someone saw. The girl’s reputation is going to be ruined by the accusation made against them, and now they have to do anything to prove that they are innocent. Anyone will do anything to protect their reputation.
People will do anything to protect their reputation. “Them that will not confess will hang.” (Danforth 200). The people of the village would rather be hung than to confess their sins. Their reputation means more to them than confessing and living. “Goody Proctor, your husband is marked to hang this morning.” (Hale 201). Her husband would rather be hanged than to confess and keep his life. The people’s reputation in the village is the most important thing to
The Crucible teaches readers to stick to what they believe in, even if others disagree. John died, but with honor because he did not let others change his mind. Like John Proctor risks his life to say what he believes in, others from around the world protest what they believe in even though some get thrown in
In his book, “A Modest Inquiry into the Nature of Witchcraft (1702),” clergyman John Hale comes forth to confront the recent events going on at the time. Initially, Hale alludes to the questionable actions and activities of the townspeople being accused of witchcrafts, and being imprisoned as punishment. In addition, he discloses how everyone suspicious will be accused, not even young children are safe from the hands of this fate. Hale’s purpose of publishing this book was to describe the incident of the Witch Trials, and to reveal his experience of the trials, since his own wife was accused. By employing a didactic tone, Hale relays the actions of the past that targeted the Puritans and those wrongly accused of witchcrafts, so this occurrence
I am no Sarah Good or Tituba, I am John Proctor! You will not use me! It is no part of salvation that you should use me!” (1356). The dignity Proctor has for his name throughout the village proves that he will under no circumstances be used as an example to others.
Introduction: In Miller play “The Crucible, “ many characters are obligated to decide whether they should confess to witch craft and ruin their name or to be hanged for dealing with something that doesn’t exists. Our main character which is John Proctor was admitted to doing witch craft and chose to keep his name instead of sacrificing him self over a tarnished name Argument: John proctor last act in the play was an act of excessive pride. His actions throughout the play were foolish REASON1, AND EVIDENCE 1: John Procter figured a display of his signature would take away his pride. Proctor says “I have three children – how may I teach them to walk like men in the ...”
Along with Abigail trying to take the goodness from him, John still realizes he is a honorable man despite his sin; “You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor” (133). John coming to this conclusion is able to go out of the world in peace and with his good name; emphasizing the theme of
In Arthur Miller's "The Crucible", John Proctor is our passive protagonist as he tries to save his wife and others that were accused of witchcraft. Unfortunately, his attempt was in vain and his evidence had backfired. His knowledge did not stop the witch trials because of his self-respect, and the children's high reputations, and Abigail's tactful nature. John Proctor valued his self-respect because it made him confident and helped him stand up for what he believed in. John proctor's name was synonymous with honor and integrity and was most respected in Salem.
A Man's Honor Honor is something that can be earned, lost, and taken away. In the Novel “The Crucible” John Proctor has his honor taken away and attempts to earn it back. He had an affair and is now trying to earn respect from the person he cares about, his wife. John Proctor is an honorable man because he helps people in need, loves his wife and stays a truthful man before he dies. John Proctor Helped his friends be successful and cared for their safety.
John Proctor faces many different forms of conflict, whether it be self to self or self to society. Facing the court, Proctor gives his words and mind to try and free the ones accused. His personality and internal conflicts are arguably more intense. To be damned or forgiven by his society. The only way out of persecution is to smear his name.
I have given you my soul; leave me my name!” (Miller 153). This quote truly demonstrates Proctors character as a whole, as he is willing to be hung for the sake of proving his worth to the court. Specifically, Proctor knows he is truly innocent, and wants to make the courts aware of his innocence. His unwillingness to confess to witchcraft, is because of his personal beliefs regarding reputation.
In a setting of Salem, Massachusetts 1692, religion is the direct reflection of one's social standing. Reputation is extremely important for the town, as it is your only way to get a fair hearing and respect from the people. The protectiveness of reputation is necessary in The Crucible to justify yourself when presented with fallacious arguments. In this play the importance of reputation is revealed though the uses of ethos, logos and pathos. The protectiveness of reputation is uncovered through various characters such as Reverend Hale, Reverend Parris, and John Proctor.
John Proctor is a good man despite anything others may say about him. He displays three very noble qualities throughout the witch trials which are bravery, honesty, and an overall goal to save lives even to the point where he sacrificed his. While many argue John is a bad man because he committed adultery they are entirely mistaken. Just because he had one bad sin gives no right to anybody to call him a bad person when clearly the good side of him is shown more than the bad. John Proctor is a good man who displays the characteristics of a hero and could be seen as one for giving his life for his friends.
In The Crucible, a drama by Arthur Miller, John Proctor demonstrates courage by speaking out for what he believes in while knowing his consequences, admitting his wrong doings with Abigail to save Elizabeth’s life, and choosing to be hanged over having his name posted on the church door because the second his signed confession is posted, his and his loved ones reputations will be ruined. In the beginning of the play all John Proctor cared about was his reputation. However, ultimately he sacrificed his reputation by telling the court he committed adultery. John telling the court he was guilty ruined his reputation, which made all hell break loose.
The novel displays many decisions made by the people, in which, they are aware that one must be with the court or they are against it. Members of the community know they cannot sneak by interrogations without fully believing in the court or else they will be hanged for witchcraft. Putnam states, "there is a murdering witch among us, bound to keep herself in the dark" (Miller 16), but perhaps the real murderers are right in front of the people the whole time, calling themselves a
As explained in lecture 3 most accusations made were the poor people accusing the wealthier people. This part wasn’t a huge factor in the movie, though. I think this is because the storyline of a forbidden love is more interesting to viewers than just poor people blaming the wealthy. One thing I noticed that was relevant in the movie is the accusation pattern discussed in lecture 3. The pattern is if the accused was found guilty they would be executed unless they confessed to being a witch.
Our countless endeavors, whether wrong or right, tend to just how much someone values their self-worth. We humans are naturally built to muse upon how others think of us, and this is the basis for our self-conscious pursuit for our reputation and identity. No where is this more apparent in The Crucible. The play, The Crucible, is a homage to many themes, as it dives into the story of The Salem Witch Trial. Preserving one’s reputation is a theme exemplified heavily in the book, as almost every character struggles with their identity, which in turn, affects their decisions.