How Is Pride Shown In The Crucible

The Crucible Essay The preservation of one’s pride is an integral force behind the actions of human beings. It provides a sense of self-worth and satisfaction that people seek with extreme determination. For many, it provides the the stamina to strive for and reach their goals each day. When pride is threatened, some will go to great lengths to preserve it, even if they don’t necessarily deserve it. In The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, excessive pride is evident in the motivation behind the actions of many characters, particularly Elizabeth and John Proctor. Excessive pride is shown when a person’s sense of self-confidence exceeds that which they realistically deserve. Elizabeth finds it extremely difficult to forgive her husband for offenses he committed seven months prior, even after seven months of him walking on pins and needles to prove himself worthy of her forgiveness. John was ultimately willing to …show more content…
Elizabeth allowed it to prevent the healing of her relationship with John. If John had made the decision to not give in to his pride sooner, he may have been able to save the lives of many innocent people. John could easily be considered the proudest character in the play because his pride drove him to end his life. His pride may have been justified when he did this, but it was certainly excessive. Pride’s presence in the the lives of humans in general is undeniable. People constantly strive to attain and keep it. They desire approval from others. It motivates them to work harder and longer, which is what creates progress. It serves groups and individuals positively the majority of the time. However it can also create friction in relationships such as the Proctor’s and cause the proud person to look down upon others. Proctor may have felt above consequences when he had an affair. Elizabeth, whose positive attributes outweigh the negatives, allowed her husband to give up his life in the preservation of his