In the Salem witch trials 200 people were accused of witchcraft and twenty people were actually executed for it. The play that is the basis of the essay is set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 during these Salem witch trials. One of the main characters that this play is centered around, John Proctor, a farmer in his middle thirties. As a morally ambiguous character in The Crucible, John Proctor had both honorable and disgraceful actions that contributed to the work as a whole. John Proctor has dealings in the play that could characterize him as an immoral man. In a severe lapse of judgments he commits adultery with his servant Abigail. Proctor squashes Abigail’s hopes, “Abby, you’ll put it out of mind. I’ll not be comin’ for you more.”(21).
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Consequently, John Proctor’s actions and thoughts allow the audience an insight to what the puritan community is like. John breaks down and sobs, “My honesty’s broke, Elizabeth; I and no good man.”(126). This optimizes some of the beliefs of the puritans. Being that they are ultra-religious and believe that if you commit one sin you are damned for eternity there is no way to be free from that. With other minuscule actions, for example: not going to church once, you will be looked down on by the entire community. For the work as a whole John Proctor helps to show us about the community the work is centered around. As a result, he is a key character in developing themes in the play and showing the audience how they relate to themselves. In the end John Proctor realizes, “You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to wave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs.”(133). By his feeling that he has goodness in him now it develops a theme of redemption in the play. Redemption plays an important role in this play, it allows John Proctor to die peacefully knowing he was an acceptable person. The audience can notice this in their own life. Even if you have one sinful affair, it doesn’t define who you are and you can always redeem yourself with positive actions. Being a morally ambiguous character
Consequently, John Proctor’s actions and thoughts allow the audience an insight to what the puritan community is like. John breaks down and sobs, “My honesty’s broke, Elizabeth; I and no good man.”(126). This optimizes some of the beliefs of the puritans. Being that they are ultra-religious and believe that if you commit one sin you are damned for eternity there is no way to be free from that. With other minuscule actions, for example: not going to church once, you will be looked down on by the entire community. For the work as a whole John Proctor helps to show us about the community the work is centered around. As a result, he is a key character in developing themes in the play and showing the audience how they relate to themselves. In the end John Proctor realizes, “You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to wave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs.”(133). By his feeling that he has goodness in him now it develops a theme of redemption in the play. Redemption plays an important role in this play, it allows John Proctor to die peacefully knowing he was an acceptable person. The audience can notice this in their own life. Even if you have one sinful affair, it doesn’t define who you are and you can always redeem yourself with positive actions. Being a morally ambiguous character