John Proctor Was Never Defeated English Literature Essay

seat monitor Was Never Defeated English Literature leavenErnest Hemingway says, Man is not made for frustration. A man can be destroyed save not defeated (http//www.englishforums.com). In Arthur Millers play The Crucible, the hail cannot defeat commode Proctor. Although they take his vitality, they cant take his pride. John Proctor is a well-respected husband and citizen, that everything takes a turn in Proctors life when he commits a secret sin with Abigail Williams. His hamartia, or affair with Abigail, leave behinds to his downfall. Proctor is seen as a tragic hero because he is well respected in Salem, he possesses a disgrace, and he finds a way to overcome his flaw. As the trials begin in Salem, Proctor realizes he can mystify a stop to them. In timidity of ruin his name and study, he hold opens his adultery with Abigail to himself. His tragic flaw, or pride in his name, underscores his inability to let go. He makes an effort to bring down Abigail, but when he fa ils, Proctor reveals the sin he committed with Abigail publicly. The storys peripeteia comes when Proctor is arrested. Proctor changes, realizing that the witch trials are his fault. In the last act, Proctor has a dislodge to confess that he is a witch in order to live. Instead, Proctor chooses to refuse the confession in hopes of saving his name. This is Proctors biggest turning point of the play. His catharsis is achieved because he dies being freed from his earlier sins. A proud and respected man, John Proctor possesses a flaw that changes him throughout the course of the story, but it is Johns ability to overcome his flaw that classes him as the tragic hero of The Crucible.In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, John Proctor is viewed as a highly appreciated individual. Proctors high authority, modulate in the town, and veracious deeds demonstrate his respected position in society. Arthur Miller describes John Proctor as a farmer in his middle mid-thirties who is respected and fe ared in Salem(19). He is respected and feared because of his large amount of land. When Proctor speaks to Mr. Putnam and Giles Corey in the beginning of Act I, Proctor asks Giles to help him carry the ram to his home. When Mr. Putnam asks what lumber he is speaking of, Proctor says, My lumber. From out my forest by the riverside. I bought that tract from Good Nurses husband five months ago(30). Proctors wealth and position in society is proven when he describes his land to be a forest. It exemplifies his respect in the town, because, in the time of the Salem witch trials, a person with a large amount of land is regarded as a man with a high status in town. Proctors high opinion is also shown through his influence on Salem. In Act IV Reverend Parris expresses his fear towards the sidesplitter that is occurring in Andover and heading towards Salem. In the midst of his terror, Parris realizes the influence that John Proctor has in the town. He says, John Proctor is not Isaac Ward tha t drank his family to ruin. I would to God it were not so, Excellency, but these people have great weight yet in town(118). Parris explains how Proctors influence in Salem is so immense that Proctors death would cause Salem to collapse. Parris suggests that if Proctor is hanged, people will start a rebellion in Salem. The people of high authority act as a basis in Salem, and their death would only cause more confusion. With this confusion the villagers will riot and overthrow the court. Proctors respect and influence is a result of his good deeds shown in Salem. As salutary is questioning Proctor, Proctor describes his kindness with a good deed he committed. He states, I nailed the roof upon the church, I hung the door-(62). This small deed shows that Proctor cares about the community, and not only himself. Proctor is respected by the townspeople because of his charitable actions in Salem. Although Proctor illustrates the characteristics of a well-rounded individual, his tragic fla w prevents him from forgetting his adultery with Abigail.Throughout The Crucible John Proctors flaw is portrayed when his reputation is jeopardized. Proctors flaw is first shown on page 52 when he is speaking to Elizabeth about the conversation he had alone with Abigail. Elizabeth supposes that Proctors feelings for Abigail prevent him from going to the court and proving that the court is a fraud. Proctor then judges Elizabeth stating that she will not forget about the incident that happened with Abigail. Elizabeth responds by saying, The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you. I never thought you but a good man John (52). Elizabeth introduces Johns flaw. His pride in his name is restricting him from entering the court and proclaiming that the court is corrupt. If it means he would have to confess about his adultery with Abigail and ruin his reputation, then he would not do it. As Reverend Hale is questioning the Proctors, he asks them if they believe in witches. When Hale a sks if Elizabeth believes in the Gospel, Proctor says, She do not mean to doubt the Gospel, sir, you cannot think it. This be a Christian home, sir, a Christian house (66). Proctor tries to save his name by saying that Elizabeth believes in the Gospel. He is afraid that Hale will get the wrong impression from Elizabeth. This will put a mark on their familys name. Proctors pride in his name causes him to answer Hale and turn away any suspicion that Hale has against the Proctors. Reverend Hale shows another example of Proctors flaw. While Hale convinces Elizabeth to talk Proctor into confessing, he tells Elizabeth that Proctors life is worth more than his pride. He says, Life, woman, life is Gods most precious authorize no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. Let him give his lie. For it may well be God damns a liar slight than he that throws away his life for pride (122). Hale explicitly points out Proctors flaw. He proves that Proctor is viewed as a prideful man, and Hale believes that Proctor is ruining his life for the goodness of his name. Hale believes that life is more important than ones reputation. Proctor, however, is more inclined towards his reputation than his life. On page 133 Proctor throws his life away to keep his name and save the lives of those that were accused. After signing the testimony that claims his witchery, Proctor asks that it remain private. When Danforth disagrees Proctor snatches the paper and says, 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 live without my name? I have given you my soul leave me my name (133). Proctors flaw once again leads to his downfall. His pride in his name for both his family and people of Salem lead to his hanging however, Proctor reaches a self-realization and discovers a way to overcome his flaw.As the play comes to an end, Proctor shows his ability to surpass his tragic flaw and distinguish himself as a tragic hero. Proctors first moment of self-realization appears on pages 72 to 73. When Elizabeth is being arrested, Proctor realizes that the witch trials are his fault. He understands that Abigail wants to destroy Elizabeth in hopes of getting back in bed with him. Proctor rips the warrant of Elizabeths arrest and says, Ill tell you whats walking Salem-vengeance is walking Salem. We are what we always were in Salem, but nowadays little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom and rough-cut vengeance writes the law. Ill not give my wife to vengeance (73). John blames Abigail by saying that vengeance is walking Salem. Abigail is the vengeance. Proctor realizes that his pride has put others in danger. Because of the danger he has put on others, he decides to act against the court. another(prenominal) moment of self-realization occurs when John publicly announces his adultery with Abigail. He declares Abigail a whore an d states that she must be stopped. He says, Excellency, forgive me, forgive me. She thinks to dance with me on my wifes grave And well she might for I thought of her softly. God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whores vengeance and you must see it (102). Proctor realizes that Abigail continues to gain power in the court. When all else fails, Proctor confesses to his adultery with Abigail. He destroys his reputation, not for his own saki, but for the sake of others. Proctors last lines show his final self-realization. Before his death, Proctor is able to overcome his flaw. He snatches the paper that includes his confession and crumples it. He says, You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a standard with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs (133). Although Proctor has a chance of living, he understands that the rest of his life would continue as a lie. By denying tha t the confession be nailed to the church door, Proctor gives his life up in place of his name. He understands the importance of his name, but he sentences himself for the sake of others. By sacrificing himself, Proctor is able to achieve peace and to free himself of his past sins.Ultimately, John Proctor was never defeated. He died a man of strength and power to his name. Although his soul was taken, his bequest remained. Through all of Proctors struggles he was able to retain his name and die in peace. In the beginning of the play, Proctor is a dishonest character attempt to rid himself of his past, but his self-pride makes it difficult for him to let things go. However, as the play comes to an end, Proctor realizes the evil in the witch trials, and he dies with a renewed goodness. John Proctor is seen as the protagonist of this tragedy because he demonstrates the characteristics of a typical tragic hero. Well respected in Salem, Proctor shows good traits of a common man. Eventual ly, Proctors hamartia and tragic flaw lead to his death. However, Proctor also undergoes a moment of self-realization. Proctor reaches his catharsis in the last few pages of the play when he realizes the goodness in what he has accomplished. Proctor decides to surrender himself to death, rather than live a life of lies. He realizes that a public confession will alarm the accused that have risked their lives for their reputation. Although Proctors tragic flaw leads to his death, Arthur Miller ultimately concludes Proctor as a man who pertains to goodness rather than guilt.