Because Arthur Miller’s criticism of the informant relies on principal, not circumstance, his argument is more persuasive than Elia Kazan’s support of the informer. In On the Waterfront, Terry is asked to testify against Johnny Friendly on countless occasions, but he consistently declines. Once the mob kills his brother, Charley, he reacts violently. To avoid a fight, Father Barry says, “You want to hurt Johnny Friendly?... Do you really wanna finish him... for what he did to Charley...? Then don't fight him like a hoodlum down here in the jungle because that's just what he wants... You fight him in the courtroom tomorrow,” (On the Waterfront). Father Barry is showing Terry he can get revenge by telling the truth on the stand. Terry listens
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In contrast, John Proctor, from The Crucible, makes decisions because of his values and principles. The court convicts him for being a witch, and Hale persuades him to confess to avoid death. Proctor soon notices he will have to deem other people guilty and denies the offer. Hale attempts at convince him once again, but Proctor responds, “And there’s your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness... Show honor now, show a stony heart and sink them with it!” (Miller 144). By saying “And there’s your first marvel, that I can,” Proctor is showing the reader he will make his own decisions regardless of what other people try and make him do. He is also proving his decisions will be based on his ideas of goodness, which he will follow no matter the consequence. Proctor wants his family to show integrity and have an immovable heart, which is displayed when he says, “Show honor now, show a stony heart.” The heart represents one’s love for something, but love is simply based on an embodiment of ideas people favor. Thus, the stony heart shows the importance of strong
In contrast, John Proctor, from The Crucible, makes decisions because of his values and principles. The court convicts him for being a witch, and Hale persuades him to confess to avoid death. Proctor soon notices he will have to deem other people guilty and denies the offer. Hale attempts at convince him once again, but Proctor responds, “And there’s your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness... Show honor now, show a stony heart and sink them with it!” (Miller 144). By saying “And there’s your first marvel, that I can,” Proctor is showing the reader he will make his own decisions regardless of what other people try and make him do. He is also proving his decisions will be based on his ideas of goodness, which he will follow no matter the consequence. Proctor wants his family to show integrity and have an immovable heart, which is displayed when he says, “Show honor now, show a stony heart.” The heart represents one’s love for something, but love is simply based on an embodiment of ideas people favor. Thus, the stony heart shows the importance of strong