A Battle of Pride and Righteousness The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, demonstrates an exceptional example of a tragic hero with the character John Proctor. A tragic hero is one who must undergo the transformation of a good and happy life, to a tragic downfall that concludes to one’s own peace and understanding that their fate was due to none other than their own flaws and decisions made in their lifetime. Understanding that nobody is without flaw and that actions must have consequences, the audience of a tragic hero makes a special connection with the character and becomes deeply saddened with their final outcome. John Proctor begins as a happy farmer living an average man’s life, with a dark secret. Proctor has committed adultery with
…show more content…
Proctor can not stand for his name to be shamed in the public eye. “You will tell the court how that poppet come here and who stuck the needle in,” (80). Proctor tells this to Mary Warren, forcing her to accuse Abigail of framing Elizabeth. He forced Mary to attempt to bring the truth to the court that all the girls were pretending to be involved in witchcraft, which would in turn convict Abigail of framing Elizabeth, free Elizabeth, and end the witch trials. This was the only way the to accomplish his goals without revealing his act of adultery and keeping pride in his …show more content…
Proctor responds with, “Good. Then her saintliness is done with. We will slide together into our pit; you will tell the court what you know,” (80). This portrays a sense of desperation for Elizabeth’s freedom and self-hatred for himself. Proctor wants nothing more than to make things right between Elizabeth and himself. In the court Proctor still attempts to keep his sins from the public and forced Mary to testify as planned. When Abigail begins to turn the court around onto Mary, Proctor loses his rationality. Proctor grabs Abigail by the hair, “How do you call Heaven! Whore! Whore!” (109). This leads to Proctor’s public confession of his lust with Abigail and explains that Abigail is trying to kill his wife. The audience is given a sense of concern when all of the pride that he was trying to cling to was diminished the moment he explained the act to the court. This concern is placed in the play in order to give a deeper connection between the audience and the hero. Proctor wants nothing more than to help his wife; the audience is capable of understanding the sacrificing of oneself for the care of a loved
Proctor can not stand for his name to be shamed in the public eye. “You will tell the court how that poppet come here and who stuck the needle in,” (80). Proctor tells this to Mary Warren, forcing her to accuse Abigail of framing Elizabeth. He forced Mary to attempt to bring the truth to the court that all the girls were pretending to be involved in witchcraft, which would in turn convict Abigail of framing Elizabeth, free Elizabeth, and end the witch trials. This was the only way the to accomplish his goals without revealing his act of adultery and keeping pride in his …show more content…
Proctor responds with, “Good. Then her saintliness is done with. We will slide together into our pit; you will tell the court what you know,” (80). This portrays a sense of desperation for Elizabeth’s freedom and self-hatred for himself. Proctor wants nothing more than to make things right between Elizabeth and himself. In the court Proctor still attempts to keep his sins from the public and forced Mary to testify as planned. When Abigail begins to turn the court around onto Mary, Proctor loses his rationality. Proctor grabs Abigail by the hair, “How do you call Heaven! Whore! Whore!” (109). This leads to Proctor’s public confession of his lust with Abigail and explains that Abigail is trying to kill his wife. The audience is given a sense of concern when all of the pride that he was trying to cling to was diminished the moment he explained the act to the court. This concern is placed in the play in order to give a deeper connection between the audience and the hero. Proctor wants nothing more than to help his wife; the audience is capable of understanding the sacrificing of oneself for the care of a loved