John Proctor Pride

What's in a Name? John Proctor, from The Crucible, plays a very important role within the community of Salem. He is looked highly upon by those around him, and his opinion matters, meaning that he influences many. But he portrays one flaw, his pride, which shows to the audience that he is not perfect, yet very relatable to. His struggle between right and wrong, and his pride causes him to have a tragic fall. Which also makes John Proctor the perfect example of a tragic hero. “He need not have been a partisan of any faction in the town, but there is evidence to suggest that he had a sharp and biting way with hypocrites. He was the kind of man - powerful of body, even-tempered, and not easily led - who cannot refuse support to partisans with-out …show more content…
But once again his pride prevents him from admitting something that is not true. After speaking with Elizabeth, and considering his options John ignores his pride, and claims that he did see the devil, and signs the paper stating his confession. But he was going to be made an example to those of Salem, flaunted of his crimes. And while he ignored his flaw, you are only able to take so much, ignore for so much. Everyone has a breaking point, and John had reached his, which is shown in the quote, “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! Danforth: Mr. Proctor - Proctor: You will not use me! I am no Sarah Good or Tituba, I am John Proctor! You will not use me! It is no part of salvation that you should use me! Danforth: I do not wish to - Proctor: I have three children - how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends? Danforth: You have not sold your friends - Proctor: Beguile me not! I blacken all of them when this is nailed to the church the very day they hang for silence! … Proctor, with a cry of his whole soul: Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I …show more content…
If he had not prided himself so much, the moment Abigail had admitted that she and the other girls had not seen any witchcraft, he would have told the truth to everyone. He would have ignored the threat that Abigail had poised, and told the truth. This would have prevented so many deaths, and put an end to the witch trial, before they even started. But he could not let his pride go, he could not ruin his own name. Which lead to his demise, to his tragic fall. His pride cost him everything and left him with nothing but his