Examples Of Honesty In The Crucible

Is there anything capable of causing a person to forsake their principles? The honesty and integrity of a person can endure through anything. The Crucible by Arthur Miller is based on the Salem Witch Trials, which destroyed a town with false accusations of witchcraft, and the death of innocents. John Proctor’s honesty and integrity are demonstrated by his bravery, truthfulness, and morals, which endure through all attempts to break them down. John Proctor’s bravery never wavers despite the risk to his own well-being. In a heroic effort, John Proctor attempts to save his wife and friends after they are accused of witchcraft. He does everything in his power to prove them innocent: “Will you read this first, sir? It’s a sort of testament. The …show more content…
John admits to his affair with Abigail in an attempt to discredit her. He confesses his adultery to the judges while trying to save those who Abigail has falsely accused: “I have known her, sir. I have known her” (Miller 1309). John was ashamed of his sin, but he does not allow this to stop him from revealing the truth, as the truth has the possibilty of freeing everyone. By ruining his own name and confessing his sins, he has the opportunity to put a stop to all of the lies created by Abigail and the other girls. Furthermore, he was willing to ruin his own reputation in an attempt to save the lives of many, including his wife: “I have made a bell of my honor! I have rung the doom of my good name—you will believe me, Mr. Danforth! My wife is innocent, except she knew a whore when she saw one!” (Miller 1309). Confessing the truth about his adultery was his last attempt to reveal the lies that plague the town, and it destroys both his honor and dignity. John slanders his good name by confessing his sins to the towon. John also reveals that his wife knew of his adultery. He never allows his pride or reluctance to stop him from disclosing the truth. The ruination of his name could have prevented him from being honest about his mistakes, but his truthfulness endures. John Proctor’s truthfullness results in the ruination of his name, yet his ruined name is what he clings to as he faces …show more content…
He refuses to confess himself to lies because of his honor, dignity, and beliefs: “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang!” (Miller 1333). He clings to his name and refuses to disgrace it further, as it is the only thing he has left. He has the opportunity to save his life by confessing to witchcraft, but refuses to smear his name any more. John’s name is highly important to him, and disgracing his name is like disgracing himself. John has the opportunity to keep his life by destroying his name, but he feels that his life is not worth living if he is unable to keep his name. John also feels that he is unworthy of doing the right thing and acting like a hero. He feels he does not deserve to stand next to Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey, and this almost causes him to save himself by confessing to lies. He confesses and even signs the confession, but he is unable to hand it over. Nevertheless, the judges continue to beg him for a confession: “You will give me an honest confession, or I cannot keep you from the rope” (Miller 1333). The persistence of the judges and John Hale does nothing to waver John Proctor’s beliefs. He knows that if he does not confess to lies he will lose his life; however, the threat of death and the insistence of others do nothing to hinder his morals. John also knows that by