Throughout the play, The Crucible, many of the characters experience a dynamic change. John Proctor, specifically, changes in three ways that impact his actions during the play. The change in John as the play progressed was motivated by his reasoning behind his guilt, anger towards Abigail, and his care for Elizabeth.
Many of John Proctor’s actions throughout the play are motivated by his guilt. Over the course of the play, the reasoning behind this guilt changes. In the beginning, John showed selfish guilt when he could not acknowledge the affair he had with Abigail. In Act II, John could not say the tenth commandment because it was the commandment stating that adultery was wrong. He selfishly could not acknowledge it because he had committed adultery and did not want to admit that he had sinned. Since he was unable to say it, Elizabeth …show more content…
His care went from forced and awkward to true care. John’s true care is shown when he tried to protect her. For example, John tried to convince Elizabeth that she would be okay by saying, “There’ll be no noose.” (Miller 492; Act 2). Another quote showing his protective care is when he said, “Fear nothing” (Miller 493; Act 2). Both of the above quotes show how John used his affection for Elizabeth to try and reassure her that he would protect her. In Act three, John laid everything on the line to save Elizabeth by confessing his affair to the court, “I have known her, sir. I have known her.” (Miller 519; Act 4). He knew that the only way the court would believe his claim that Abigail and the girls were lying about witchcraft in Salem, was to give them a reason why Abigail would start accusing people. The only proof believable enough was that Abigail was accusing people so she could get rid of Elizabeth and have John to herself because she was still in love with him after their affair. John gave up his reputation to save Elizabeth, therefore showing his true care for
Many of John Proctor’s actions throughout the play are motivated by his guilt. Over the course of the play, the reasoning behind this guilt changes. In the beginning, John showed selfish guilt when he could not acknowledge the affair he had with Abigail. In Act II, John could not say the tenth commandment because it was the commandment stating that adultery was wrong. He selfishly could not acknowledge it because he had committed adultery and did not want to admit that he had sinned. Since he was unable to say it, Elizabeth …show more content…
His care went from forced and awkward to true care. John’s true care is shown when he tried to protect her. For example, John tried to convince Elizabeth that she would be okay by saying, “There’ll be no noose.” (Miller 492; Act 2). Another quote showing his protective care is when he said, “Fear nothing” (Miller 493; Act 2). Both of the above quotes show how John used his affection for Elizabeth to try and reassure her that he would protect her. In Act three, John laid everything on the line to save Elizabeth by confessing his affair to the court, “I have known her, sir. I have known her.” (Miller 519; Act 4). He knew that the only way the court would believe his claim that Abigail and the girls were lying about witchcraft in Salem, was to give them a reason why Abigail would start accusing people. The only proof believable enough was that Abigail was accusing people so she could get rid of Elizabeth and have John to herself because she was still in love with him after their affair. John gave up his reputation to save Elizabeth, therefore showing his true care for