Through the language of Oscar Wilde, "the truth is rarely pure and never simple." In other words, the truth will always carry some emotional baggage, and as a result, it will hardly ever be unadulterated or effortless. It is hard to tell the truth at times for the reason that we, as people, fear consequences and are always seeking to protect ourselves or others; however, it is no easier to lie. The guilt that comes with lying will eat away at you until you make the choice to either do something or ignore it. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, guilt overwhelms John Proctor for many things and his numerous internal conflicts inspire the decisions that he makes throughout the play. Although he acts as the play 's voice of reason and the tragic
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John Proctor is introduced in Act One as a "powerful of body, even-tempered, and not easily led" man; nevertheless, it is also said that "the steady manner he displays does not spring from an untroubled soul," (Miller 20). This "untroubled soul" that John Proctor bears has to do with his much regretted past affair with Abigail Williams, which haunts him day after day. He shows that he wishes to move on from his adultery sin when he states, "Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my own hand before I ever reach for you again" (Miller 23). The use of this gory hyperbole emphasized Proctor 's strong desire to leave their relationship in the past so that he can move on and be happy with his wife, Elizabeth. This theory will be proven to be …show more content…
After being accused of witchcraft himself, Proctor must make the decision to both confess and lie to stay with his family, or stand his ground, keep his integrity, and suffer the consequences. In the midst of making his decision, he asks Elizabeth for forgiveness, to which she responds, "It is not for me to give . . . it is not my soul, John, it is yours" (Miller 136). By this she means that Proctor must first forgive himself because "there be no higher judge under Heaven than Proctor is" when it comes to forgiveness (Miller 137). Proctor declares, "I want my life . . . I will have my life" as his first instinctual decision because he does not want to leave his family, but later on when Danforth requests that he sign his confession, he second-guesses himself (Miller 137). He does not want his name to be tarnished by this paper that will hang on the church as an example for everyone to see. Proctor argues, "I have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!" (Miller 142). Feeling guilty and cowardly and completely overwhelmed by the situation, Proctor no longer feels that it is the right decision to lie at the hand of his selfishness. Just before tearing up his confession, Proctor makes one last
John Proctor is introduced in Act One as a "powerful of body, even-tempered, and not easily led" man; nevertheless, it is also said that "the steady manner he displays does not spring from an untroubled soul," (Miller 20). This "untroubled soul" that John Proctor bears has to do with his much regretted past affair with Abigail Williams, which haunts him day after day. He shows that he wishes to move on from his adultery sin when he states, "Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my own hand before I ever reach for you again" (Miller 23). The use of this gory hyperbole emphasized Proctor 's strong desire to leave their relationship in the past so that he can move on and be happy with his wife, Elizabeth. This theory will be proven to be …show more content…
After being accused of witchcraft himself, Proctor must make the decision to both confess and lie to stay with his family, or stand his ground, keep his integrity, and suffer the consequences. In the midst of making his decision, he asks Elizabeth for forgiveness, to which she responds, "It is not for me to give . . . it is not my soul, John, it is yours" (Miller 136). By this she means that Proctor must first forgive himself because "there be no higher judge under Heaven than Proctor is" when it comes to forgiveness (Miller 137). Proctor declares, "I want my life . . . I will have my life" as his first instinctual decision because he does not want to leave his family, but later on when Danforth requests that he sign his confession, he second-guesses himself (Miller 137). He does not want his name to be tarnished by this paper that will hang on the church as an example for everyone to see. Proctor argues, "I have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!" (Miller 142). Feeling guilty and cowardly and completely overwhelmed by the situation, Proctor no longer feels that it is the right decision to lie at the hand of his selfishness. Just before tearing up his confession, Proctor makes one last