The Importance Of John Proctor's Reputation In The Crucible

Having a good reputation in a small town like Salem is very important because other people will trust and want to associate with you. In The Crucible, most of the characters have a very good standing in the town of Salem, and hope to maintain this while the story goes on. The characters in the crucible show a theme of wanting this good place in Salem and two characters who strongly intend for a good reputation are: John Proctor and Abigail Williams. John Proctor was a man who worked hard for his good name; he wanted a good name not only with the other characters in The Crucible but he also wanted a good name with God. John Proctor is a man of strength, and he showed this throughout the play when he continued to choose what was right for him based on the effect it …show more content…
Early on into the play, we find out about Proctor’s affair with former servant Abigail Williams and the effects it had on him. Elizabeth, Proctors wife, is forgiving but John does not know if other towns people will be; which is why he keeps his affair a secret. Keeping this affair a secret was so important to John to preserve his reputation, but when he got accused of being involved in witchcraft, the truth about the incident is told. Proctor is scared of God’s disapproval, but he knows that telling the sin he committed will only make his story safe and he did so to protect himself from further accusations. John Proctor was a man who cared deeply about his reputation, and showed this when he confessed about the affair. He also showed his high standards for himself when he chose death over saying he took place in witchcraft because he knew that he would never associate with the devil. Proctor wanted to teach his kids to “walk like men in the world” and not lie for something that’s not true (Miller 969). His actions all reflected on having a good position in the