John Proctor is an independent man. He does not succumb to the public opinion, and no one can change his mind. In, The Crucible, John Proctor openly admits his disdain for Reverend Parris and is not even ashamed to tell Parris himself. Proctor claims that Reverend Parris does not lead the church the right way, and he says that Parris only preaches about an angry God, and does not preach about a merciful and forgiving God. When Proctor comes to Salem to inquire about the reverend’s daughter, Betty, he is reprimanded by Mr. Putman for not coming to the church since the snow had melted. To justify his actions, Proctor declares, “I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation. Take it to heart
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John carries the knowledge of his own guilt, and this torments him. He believes that God will punish him for his actions, and his wife, Elizabeth, will never forgive him for cheating on her. The relationship between John and Elizabeth is uneasy and tense. After they learn from Mary Warren that Abigail is charging people with witchcraft, Elizabeth urges John to tell the court what he told her earlier: that Abigail and the girl were just sporting in the woods. Elizabeth was told by John that Abigail told him that in the room full of girls, but John then tells Elizabeth that Abigail said that when they were in the room alone. Elizabeth immediately assumes the worst and begins to doubt John. Proctor sees that Elizabeth is questioning him again, and he replies, “You will not judge me more, Elizabeth. I have good reason to think before I charge fraud on Abigail, and I will think on it. Let you look to your own improvements before you go to judge your husband anymore.” (2.1055). John may blame Elizabeth for not forgiving him, but he himself cannot forgive himself for his sins. His guilt is consuming his mind, and it seems as if John does not understand that it is not Elizabeth’s fault, but his own. He continues to be angry with Elizabeth, and yells at her, «Spare me! You forget nothin’ and forgive nothin’! Learn charity woman. I have gone tiptoe in this house... I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you, and still an everlasting funeral marches round your heart. I cannot speak but I am doubted, every moment judged for lies, as though I come into a court when I come into this house!” (2.1056).Through the behavior and speech of John Proctor, the reader can interpret that John Proctor is
John carries the knowledge of his own guilt, and this torments him. He believes that God will punish him for his actions, and his wife, Elizabeth, will never forgive him for cheating on her. The relationship between John and Elizabeth is uneasy and tense. After they learn from Mary Warren that Abigail is charging people with witchcraft, Elizabeth urges John to tell the court what he told her earlier: that Abigail and the girl were just sporting in the woods. Elizabeth was told by John that Abigail told him that in the room full of girls, but John then tells Elizabeth that Abigail said that when they were in the room alone. Elizabeth immediately assumes the worst and begins to doubt John. Proctor sees that Elizabeth is questioning him again, and he replies, “You will not judge me more, Elizabeth. I have good reason to think before I charge fraud on Abigail, and I will think on it. Let you look to your own improvements before you go to judge your husband anymore.” (2.1055). John may blame Elizabeth for not forgiving him, but he himself cannot forgive himself for his sins. His guilt is consuming his mind, and it seems as if John does not understand that it is not Elizabeth’s fault, but his own. He continues to be angry with Elizabeth, and yells at her, «Spare me! You forget nothin’ and forgive nothin’! Learn charity woman. I have gone tiptoe in this house... I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you, and still an everlasting funeral marches round your heart. I cannot speak but I am doubted, every moment judged for lies, as though I come into a court when I come into this house!” (2.1056).Through the behavior and speech of John Proctor, the reader can interpret that John Proctor is