And it is my face, and yours, Danforth! This answer is: Study guides. When his head tells him to listen to the court because it is the law, and when Hale tells him to choose to live as an accused witch, Proctor does not listen because he knows that these acts are not in his best interest. At first he was going to confess to save his life and be with his family. Revealing his adultering is one of the most grueling things John can do to himself, but he does it to try to save his wife and prove that the girls are doing nothing but pretending to be afflicted by witches. In the final act of this performance, John has a choice to make; save his own life by signing a confession to witchcraft, or be sentenced to hang if he did not. With the option to save himself by lying and confessing about having Satan visit him, John feels that this is his chance to prove to himself that he is not a fraud. In order for action, motivation must come first. 123Helpme.com. How may I live without my name? This is portrayed in The Crucible by Arthur Miller, which is a play reenacting the events of the infamous Salem Witch Trials. English 1B One of the few motivations that John Proctor was, protecting his family and keeping them safe. The girls who are the primary suspects of witchcraft are given the authority to condemn their fellow civilians of a crime that they alone have conspired. In fact, his own inability to forgive himself merely intensifies his reaction to Elizabeth's lack of forgiveness., The author purpose to write this story is to explain why he wrote The Crucible, what pushes him to write such a story. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. 1 / 12. the fact that he has many enemies who want him gone from Salem. Elizebeth and there kids meant everything to them. "If the girl's a saint now, I think it is not easy to prove she's a fraud." - John Proctor, Act Two. 10/24/17 69) John had no importance for wealth, but rather of God, it was one of the reasons he stopped attending church. John was given the chance to concede and live, but he declined, which was a true private and religious stand. The McCarthy hearings, as they came to be known, which dominated our country from 1950 to 1954, where hearings in which many, suspected of being related to communism, where interviewed and forced to give up names of others, or they where imprisoned, and their names were black listed. Proctor struggles against society during the play whilst portraying nobleness and wisdom, and reveals hamartia, his tragic flaw of adultery. In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, John Proctor struggling to gain power shows that one person cannot change society. Check your grammar and spelling before submitting any work. Since John Proctor is motivated by his honor, his decision to admit he committed adultery creates doubt in the guilt of the accused. Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! Because I cannot have another in my life! All would know it was a lie, and how could John raise his sons, living a lie? It is based upon the Salem witch trails. 17 year old niece of Rev.Parris Had an affair with John. Hale feels guilty about all of the false accusation he made towards the women he accused of witchcraft. After John is arrested, he is motivated to save his life but also desires to protect his friends by refusing to sign a false confession. In The Crucible, why did John Proctor decide to tear up his signed confession? It is important for people to remember so they do not make any more mistakes,or make up any silly stories that will affect society The anti-communist rage in the McCarthy era and the Salem witch trial in Massachusetts destroyed people's lives; the mass hysteria that swept the United States., At the time when The Crucible was written, the United States and Russia were going through the Red Scare which was a major influence when Miller was writing this play. Therefore he is to make a decision to tell the truth and ruin his name or lie and save his most prized possession. Secondly, he commits adultery and stays quiet to try to save his wife's life. All through this play, Miller used the trails in The Crucible and the McCarthy Era because he realized that the events were the same. They get dragged into the proceedings when Abigail accuses Elizabeth of hurting her with a voodoo doll. John is a protagonist of the play and portrayed as an ordinary man while he actually has many tragic flaws that lead to his death. In Arthur Millers The Crucible John Proctor repeatedly tries to do good for other people. The Crucible shows that whatever is happening now happened before, and we are repeating the history. John say, I mean to please you, Elizabeth(Miller 26). He gets depositions from others in the town that show how good his wife was. What aresome quotes said by Mary Warrenin the play The Crucible. Hubris is a trait seen during this time because he committed the crime and is extremely guilty of the situation. John Proctor Arguably one of the most flawed heroes in all of literature, John Proctor is known throughout the village as being an honest, hardworking and upright citizen. John Proctor is a farmer and a villager who is faced with intense dilemma. I disagree with the above post. . Whore! Since John Proctor's motivation is keeping his family safe. Oh, Elizabeth, your justice would freeze beer! This quote shows that when he finally confesses, it is because he is trying to save his good name. It was to kill the witchcraft from being accused of his wife. John Proctor The Crucible Analysis Although John Proctor is motivation, he feels bashful for cheating on his wife by having an affair with Abigail Williams. Discuss with reference to the Crucible and On the Waterfront. John is also motivated to defend his name and recognizes that dying a martyr will undermine Salem's court. He later on changes from this cheater, hot-headed adulterer to a saint who tries to save the lives of the falsely accused by admitting to his sins and fighting for the truth until his very last breath. She tells Hale that no one can take Johns pride from him., John takes pride in his name. None of the trademark holders are affiliated with this website. When John Proctor chose death, he chose to be honest and protect his name, instead of having to live a life being falsely labeled as a witch. Initially, John is motivated to earn Elizabeth's forgiveness, forget his past sins, and cut all ties with Abigail. How may I live without my name? He committed adultery which he truly regretted, he died because of this sin, and he tries to ratify his sin as best as he can. John would not let anybody take his pride. Through Terry Malloys life on the Hoboken waterfront of 1950s America, and John Proctors in the Puritan society of 1962 Salem, it is clear that the act of expiating our wrongs is demanding, throughout the play The Crucible and are found as motivation for several characters and move these characters to do drastic and terrible actions. But it is a whores vengeance, and you must see it now. (Act 3 Lines 380-384) He sacrificed his life to save his name and to keep his honor. This quote shows Proctors motivation for being against the court and essentially the church. Why do you never wonder if Parris be innocent, or Abigail? He resents Elizabeth because she cannot forgive him and trust him again, but he is guilty of the same thing. The most subterranean motivation of Abigail is the "love" she has for John Proctor. The tragedy of The Crucible was led by witchcraft. John has integegrity when he tries to save his wife from being hanged. Twinsburg, Ohio, United States779 followers 500+ connections. "Oh, Elizabeth, your justice would freeze beer!" - John Proctor, Act Two. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. Procter the sinner was unfaithful to his wife Elizabeth; during the beginning of the play we see Proctor as a cheater and hot-headed adulterer. Even though the court understands John to be innocuous man, fearing their reputation, they persist in delivering his a death sentence,, Puritan society is a strict and brutal society that says one is predestined to be damned to hell or not, no arguments. Latest answer posted December 16, 2019 at 7:31:02 AM. John clearly regrets the mistake he had made in his life, and does his best to pick himself up and attempts to change things in his life. During the trial, John's main motivation is to protect his wife from being hanged. Throughout the play, he is at the heart of the plot, the protagonist of the story. Guilt, Revenge, and Integrity are quite a few that are depicted throughout the play., The Crucible, a play written by famous author Arthur Miller, was inspired by Army-McCarthy Hearings. main conflict: he is not well liked; has many enemies. 348 Lowell Street, Peabody, Massachusetts, USA 348 Lowell Street, Peabody, Massachusetts, USA More About John Proctor House Proctor believed in the utmost honest truth, but in the end it was not given to, Throughout the play, The Crucible, John Proctor faces many difficult obstacles that occurred in his life. In Arthur Millers play The Crucible, struggle is something that many characters experience. 3 Why did Hale come to Proctor's house what does Hale's motivation for visiting the proctors tell the audience about his personality? Click the card to flip . John is a farmer. John say, "I mean to please you, Elizabeth" (Miller 26). He cares of nothing for the beliefs of any of the other people in the town and what his supervisor which is the Reverend, thinks either. The Crucible - Character Motivation. John Proctor, tries to stay out of everything, but is dragged into it after his affair with Abigail Williams. Proctor believes that he must rip up his confession to save his good name.His breast heaving, his eyes staring, Proctor tears the paper and crumples it, and he is weeping in fury, but erect(Miller 133). First Proctor speaks out of the church by not going. John also talks about the effects it would have on his sons, I have three children-how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends? In Johns eyes it would be more honorable to die than to hang his lie for all to see. John Proctor married Elizabeth Bassett, daughter of William Bassett and Hannah Dickerman, on 1 April 1674 at Salem, Essex, MA. A powerful man in both build and character, Proctor refuses to read analysis of John Proctor Reverend Parris The minister of Salem, Betty 's father, and Abigail 's uncle. This proves that John truly loves his wife because he wants to make her happy. Since John Proctor is motivated by his honor, his decision to admit he committed adultery creates doubt in the guilt of the accused. John Proctor's motivation is to stay out of the witchcraft hysteria. That then brings forth his drive for initiative. John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, and Abigail Williams are just a few of the characters. At great personal costs to himself, John reveals Abigails true motivation of jealousy and desire. When put in a tight situation dealing, historical example a major moral test took place in Salem, 1692. With our Essay Lab, you can create a customized outline within seconds to get started on your essay right away. He married Elizabeth Thorndike, daughter of John Thorndike and Elizabeth Stratton, in December 1662. John Proctor is motivated by his love for his wife. God sees my name; God knows my how black my sins are! John is married to Elizabeth. He has Mary Warren, who was working in the Proctor house, confess that she was the one who made the doll and stuck the needle in it. John is a candid, frank, but somewhat arrogant, behind the creation of The Crucible as its purpose was to relate the absurdness of the Salem witch trials to that of the Red Scare. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Essential Quotes by Character: John Proctor, Critical Context (Masterplots II: Juvenile & Young Adult Literature Series), Critical Context (Comprehensive Guide to Drama). In his play, Arthur Miller provides his characters with wide variety of personality traits and specific motivations that correspond with them. Elizabeth Proctor is a moral, Christian woman who is one of the main characters of the play. These motivations lead to many deaths. Proctor has chosen to die for truth, for his good reputation, and for those he cares about. Some may consider him as a tragic hero and some may consider him as only a pride filled coward for not telling the truth earlier., How can a man have an affair and still be considered honorable? As the audience knows, Danforth recognizes the victims' innocence by learning of Abigail's flight from Salem, witnessing the terrible effects of John's sentence upon the town, and ultimately accepting John's sole motivation for not keeping his confession is to . A false admission would also dishonor him and his soul. Everybody was afraid to speak up, tell their opinions in public, they all were afraid of being suspected to be against the truth which was the idea what leaders believed at the time. Certain characteristics of John Proctor's character and also the environment of the Puritanical Salem alleviated this problem for him. It is then that h also realizes that his reputation, and everything he has fought for disappears with the stroke of a pen. Denying any involvement in witchcraft, Abigail states that she and the girls merely danced in the woods. She cannot pass you in the church but you will blushI think you be somewhat ashamed, for I am there, and she so close, obviously Elizabeth is jealous of what has happened and brings it up to John (Miller 493). In Arthur Millers The Crucible John Proctor is portrayed as the tragic hero throughout most of the play. That John Proctor the sinner might overturn his paralyzing personal guilt and become the most forthright voice against the madness around him was a reassurance to me, and, I suppose, an inspiration: it demonstrated that a clear moral outcry could still spring even from an ambiguously unblemished soul, Miller says this about Proctor. 11. Miller writes based on the popular interests of the people during the 17th century and characterizes John as a persistent man who has pride in who he is. The Crucible Online Student Packet As we read The Crucible, complete sections in this packet for a grade. Arthur Miller tried to make life real by showing that things get repeated in history. Is the accuser always holy now? Join to connect. It is she who prompts John to go to the court and tell them what Abigail told him -- that Betty's illness has nothing to do with witchcraft -- though he is reluctant. The Bob Proctor Coaching program will. She causes most of the problems the town of Salem sees. B.A. Throughout the play he truly tried to seek redemption for his wrongdoing towards Elizabeth. Because I cannot have another in my life! True, Proctor did succumb to sin and commit adultery; however, he lacks the capacity to forgive himself. John Proctor struggles to get people to believe that the kids are lying. Many describe him as a virtuous, stern man who speaks his mind and is well-respected. 1 / 12. John Proctor, tries to stay out of everything, but is dragged into it after his affair with Abigail Williams. How does John Proctor's character change from the beginning of The Crucible to the end of the play? As Hale is mad that Proctor ripped the paper, Elizabeth explains to Hale that, He have his goodness now. The Crucible Elizabeth fires Abigail, once she realizes her maid and her husbands covert relationship. I know not their motivation or their thoughts but this . Is there no good penitence but it be public? In this play everyone was blamed for no reason at all and all everyone one did was make excuses to try and not get their own selves in trouble. Danforth, astonished, cries what are you about? and Hathorne and Parris call take your hands off of her! and out of it all comes Proctors roaring voice. We have found at least 200 people in the UK with the name John Proctor. John Proctor, for example, is one of those characters. He was persistent, honest, and full of integrity. When he first enters the play, he is known to have "a sharp and biting way with hypocrites" and in his "presence a fool felt his foolishness instantly". from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. You will not use me! In act 4 of The Crucible, why does John Proctor decide to confess but refuse to sign a written confession? God forbid I take it from him (4,784). There are many themes in the play. John Proctor confesses to save his good name. Initially, John is motivated to earn his wife's forgiveness and repair his marriage. It is until Elizabeth is arrested for witchcraft he get involved in proving her innocence and exposing the, In the play, John Proctor is an ordinary farmer, who has proven himself a hardworking man, with a good name around the village of Salem. 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