THE CRUCIBLE - character essay

Question 1

introduction

Answer 1

• “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller is set in 1692 Salem and explores the disturbing hysteria of the witch trials there, particularly through the flawed character of
  John Proctor. It is revealed that Proctor has committed lechery with Abigail Williams, which makes him flawed from both society’s and his own perspective.
• The flaw of his affair significantly impacts many people around Proctor – it arguably is the underlying reason for the hysteria which causes anguish and death.
• It is intrinsic to Proctor’s internal conflict which plagues him throughout the play, causing him much shame and setting him on a fatal journey towards atonement for this flaw.
• Therefore, this flaw has significant consequences for not only Proctor personally, but also his entire community.

Question 2

paragraph one

Answer 2

Establishing Proctor’s Flaw

P: We learn that Proctor hates himself for his flaws, which establishes his remorse for his sin.

E: “He is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion of time, but against his own vision of decent conduct.”

P: We are presented with Proctor’s flaw – his feelings for Abigail. He has ended his affair, but still harbours some fondness for her.

E: ‘Abby, I think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I ever reach for you again.’

Question 3

paragraph two

Answer 3

Breakdown of his Marriage

P: Despite Elizabeth’s, Proctor’s wife’s, insistence that she does not judge him for his affair, his shame and anger at himself causes him to believe she does. This evokes resentment in Proctor and his flaw is causing their marriage to fall apart.

E: “You forget nothin’ and forgive nothing.’ Learn charity, woman. I have gone tiptoe in this house all seven months since she is gone. I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you, and still an everlasting funeral marches around your heart.”

Question 4

paragraph three

Answer 4

Elizabeth’s Arrest

P: Proctor knows Elizabeth’s arrest is his own fault, brought about by his own flaw and Abigail has accused her as “vengeance” – Proctor boldly goes to court to confess to his affair and reveal his flaw, hoping to highlight the hypocrisy of the hysteria Abigail has manipulated and save his wife. He does this even though it will ruin his reputation.

E: “She thinks to dance with me on my wife’s 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 whore’s vengeance, and you must see it.”

Question 5

paragraph four

Answer 5

Proctor’s Death
P: When Proctor’s revelation of his flaw results in his own arrest, he must face the moral dilemma of whether or not to confess to witchcraft and save his life or remain honest and die. His internal conflict, which has stemmed from his affair, leads him to decide to die with dignity – it is an act of penance that he so desperately craves to free himself from self-hatred.

E: “His breast heaving, his eyes staring, Proctor tears the paper and crumples it, and he is weeping in fury, but erect.”

Question 6

conclusion

Answer 6

• To conclude, “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller follows the development of the character of John Proctor – a flawed man whose sin significantly affects both himself and those around him.
• His flaw is his affection for Abigail Williams, and his affair with her causes him unbearable inner-turmoil.
• His shame and anger is direction at his wife, Elizabeth, and he seeks to blame her for holding this over him.
• This, in turn, damages their relationship as she truly has forgiven him from it; he simply cannot forgive himself.
• His flaw also results in Elizabeth’s arrest, as Abigail spitefully accuses her of witchcraft in a desperate bid to control Proctor.
• His flaw finally results in his downfall as he is charged with witchcraft after revealing his lechery to the court in an attempt to expose Abigail’s true motivations in accusing his wife, thus boldly opposing the hysteria which grips Salem.
• This presents Proctor with his final moral dilemma – his decision to confess to witchcraft to save his life or to die refusing to confess to lies.
• He ultimately decides to die with dignity, which allows him to atone for his flaw – he finally frees himself from his shame in this courageous and moral decision.
• Therefore, Proctor’s flaw clearly significantly affects both himself and others – it arguably underlies the entire witchcraft hysteria which consequently leads to his dignified demise.