Everyone has a passion , yet sometimes that passion can turn into an obsession which may fully occupy a person and eventually distract them and steal their focus and disturb their priorities. In both The Crucible and Guilty by Suspicion, John Proctor and David Merrill’s roles as tragic heroes reveal that a person’s obsession can ultimately ruin their relationships and eventually lead to their social downfall and put them in a vulnerable position. John Proctor’s affair and obsession with Abigail led to a downfall in his relationship with Elizabeth, his wife and eventually led to his demise. David Merrill’s obsession with his job led to his isolation and his imprisonment and inability of working afterwards so he lost the one thing he was truly
…show more content…
Similarly, David Merrill’s obsession with his job did not only affect him in his present time, but it also had permanent effects on him that impacted his future. In contrast to John who lost his life as his tragic downfall, David loses the chance to do what he loves for the rest of his life, which is work in the movie industry. His obsession with his job makes that loss unbearable. It is ironic how the one thing he loves so much and was the reason for his downfall is what he is prevented to do as his downfall. He is also imprisoned because he was accused of being a communist. Similar to John who stood up for what he believed in and decided that accusing someone else for his life is not the noble thing to do, David also decides not to mention any of his friends’ names because it was the immoral thing to do. This is what makes him a tragic hero, after he realizes his fatal flaw, he does the heroic thing by putting others before himself, however it is far too late so he cannot avoid the consequences of what he has already caused. His obsession which led to his isolation also led to his unawareness so he initially planned to tell the court about his friends. When he was confronted with the House Committee on Un-American Activities, he realizes that there is a higher priority in his life which is standing up for what is right. Hence, he decides to take the blame, defend the cause, and also defend his
Similarly, David Merrill’s obsession with his job did not only affect him in his present time, but it also had permanent effects on him that impacted his future. In contrast to John who lost his life as his tragic downfall, David loses the chance to do what he loves for the rest of his life, which is work in the movie industry. His obsession with his job makes that loss unbearable. It is ironic how the one thing he loves so much and was the reason for his downfall is what he is prevented to do as his downfall. He is also imprisoned because he was accused of being a communist. Similar to John who stood up for what he believed in and decided that accusing someone else for his life is not the noble thing to do, David also decides not to mention any of his friends’ names because it was the immoral thing to do. This is what makes him a tragic hero, after he realizes his fatal flaw, he does the heroic thing by putting others before himself, however it is far too late so he cannot avoid the consequences of what he has already caused. His obsession which led to his isolation also led to his unawareness so he initially planned to tell the court about his friends. When he was confronted with the House Committee on Un-American Activities, he realizes that there is a higher priority in his life which is standing up for what is right. Hence, he decides to take the blame, defend the cause, and also defend his