How Does John Proctor Change In The Crucible

In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible many characters go through obstacles between themselves and others that they have to conquer. John Proctor is one of the characters that dynamically changes throughout the course of the play. John Proctor is a diligent, well respected man throughout Salem who has one weakness: being inundated with guilt. Proctor had a discord with himself to forgive and move past his sin. His name in the town of Salem is good but could be ruined from the juvenile actions of the antagonist of the play; Abigail Williams. He doubts himself from being a religious hard working farmer to a sinner and can’t forgive himself.
When John Proctor is introduced in Act one the readers learn that he is, “A sinner, a sinner not only in against …show more content…
In Act two the setting is set in the Proctor home where Elizabeth is singing to her two boys and John is coming in to wash up for dinner. They are both at the dinner table when there is a sense of silent remorse. John is trying to give Elizabeth affection and attention but she isn't allowing herself to receive it because she knows about him committing lechery. Elizabeth and John are having a conversation about him going into Salem and he says something about being alone with Abigail which makes Elizabeth skeptical due to her knowledge of the affair. John is becoming very irritated with her suspicions. He says he is pleading his honesty and tiptoeing around to please her and trying to have her forgiveness. He is lashing out towards her because he is feeling very guilty. “I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you” this shows that Elizabeth isn’t judging him, he is judging himself. He has to overcome his self guilt which is a major theme throughout The Crucible …show more content…
John automatically denies that his name is not going to be thrown away by one tragic flaw. Proctor knows that if this is seen by the town his guilt is just going to double in value and overwhelm him. He finally has to respect himself and trust in himself that he is a good man. He also doesn’t want his wrong doings to make Elizabeth reputation bad. John regains his trust in Elizabeth and this allows John to feel free and he is self respecting himself again. Even though he knows he is going to get hung he knows that he is going to be known well throughout town. “How many ghosts are going to be around your bed when your time comes?” Are you going to have a good name? Leave the world with dignity and