Who Is John Proctor's Reputation In The Crucible

The Crucible, a play written in 1957 by Arthur Miller, is a reproduction of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The Witch Trials took place in Salem, Massachusetts, where many people were falsely accused of witchcraft. As a result of the trials, nineteen people were executed on account of witchcraft. In The Crucible, reputation is an important aspect to the people of Salem because since Salem is a small town, people with good and bad reputations are known around town. The worry of saving a good reputation affects the actions taken by individuals on various occasions. Elizabeth and John Proctor’s course of action at points in the play is greatly influenced by the concern to maintain John Proctor’s respectable reputation, while the court’s actions are not, as it does not even slightly consider a person’s reputation to find one guilty of witchcraft. …show more content…
When John Proctor wants to prove his honesty by admitting to lechery, the court brings out Elizabeth for confirmation, who John claims has never told a lie. When Danforth asks Elizabeth, “Has John Proctor ever committed the crime of lechery?” (Miller 105), she meekly replies, “No, sir” (Miller 105). Lechery is a terrible crime to commit, as never committing adultery is one of the Bible’s Ten Commandments. Therefore, if Elizabeth had admitted that John is lecher, then his reputation among the Christian people of Salem would have been demolished. Instead, when telling the truth would have saved both their lives, Elizabeth decides to lie for the first time in her life just for the sake of saving John’s reputation. In conclusion, Elizabeth’s actions are greatly influenced by the intention of maintaining John Proctor’s reputation in