In The Crucible, John Proctor embodies
the fullness of the promise of God's graciousness and forgiveness
. He is a sinner, one who has repented and asked for God's mercy. So at the end of the play, when he decides to die valiantly to save his immortal soul, he is putting himself into God's gracious hands.
What theme does John Proctor represent?
Guilt
. The theme of guilt is one that is deeply relevant to John Proctor's character development throughout the play. John feels incredibly ashamed of his affair with Abigail, so he tries to bury it and pretend it never happened.
Why is John Proctor important in The Crucible?
In a sense, The Crucible has the structure of a classical tragedy, with John Proctor as the play's tragic hero. Honest, upright, and blunt-spoken, Proctor is
a good man
, but one with a secret, fatal flaw. … Proctor redeems himself and provides a final denunciation of the witch trials in his final act.
What are three characteristics of John Proctor?
His defining characteristics include
love of family, hard work, esteem for his name, piety, and human fallibility
. The pressures of Puritan society weigh upon Proctor and his family as he finds himself at the very center of a witch hunt.
Who was John Proctor in real life?
John Proctor (March 30, 1632 – August 19, 1692) was a
landowner
in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was the son of John Proctor Sr. (1594–1672) and Martha Harper (1607–1667).
Why does Proctor confess to adultery?
John Proctor's confession to committing adultery conveys
the disparity between preserving one's integrity and one's reputation
. … John Proctor's crusade to maintain his integrity ends with him deciding he would prefer to give up his own life rather than lie and condemn the innocent.
What are 3 themes in The Crucible?
- Theme #1. Reputation. Reputation is one of the major themes in the play, The Crucible. …
- Theme #2. Hysteria. …
- Theme #3. Power and Authority. …
- Theme #4. Guilt. …
- Theme #5. Portrayal of Women. …
- Theme #6. Deception. …
- Theme #7. Goodness. …
- Theme #8. Judgment.
What is the main point of The Crucible?
The main purpose of The Crucible is
to draw parallels between the events of the Salem witch craze and what was happening in America at the time of the play's writing
, during McCarthyism.
Why is John Proctor respected?
Proctor was a stand-up guy who spoke his mind. Around town, his name was synonymous with honor and integrity. He took pleasure in exposing hypocrisy and was respected for it. Most importantly, John Proctor
respected himself
.
Why is John Proctor a hypocrite?
Feared and resented by the many people in Salem he has made feel foolish, Proctor has a powerful sense of personal integrity. For this reason,
his affair with Abigail
makes him see himself as a hypocrite.
How is John Proctor a protagonist?
John Proctor is the
protagonist of the play
. Once he enters the play, the real plot begins. Up to that point, the play's exposition has introduced the town, some of the people in the town and the situation that will drive the plot: the accusations of witchcraft.
Why does John Proctor hate Mary Warren?
John Proctor's servant, Mary Warren, also began to have fits of ‘demonic possession'. But Proctor did not believe there was a supernatural cause for her strange conduct. He simply thought Mary – along with the other girls – were
acting foolishly because they lacked discipline
.
Who lost 7 babies in the crucible?
| A B | Tituba slave who “conjures” spirits | Ann Putnam lost 7 babies at birth | Reverend Hale minister from Beverly | Reverend Parris Harvard educated Salem minister |
|---|
Who accused John Proctor of witchcraft in real life?
Mary Warren
, vacillating between accuser and accused, was herself arrested and jailed on April 18. She accused both of her employers of witchcraft by the 20
th
. John Proctor's son Benjamin was accused on May 23, his son William and daughter Sarah on May 29.
How does John Proctor confess his sin of adultery?
Once he has made his initial confession, Proctor goes into some detail. … After Abigail begins to act like Mary Warren's spirit is attacking her, John Proctor calls her a whore and admits his infidelity by telling Deputy Governor Danforth, “
I have known her, sir. I have known her
” (Miller, 110).
Who holds the most power in The Crucible?
Abigail Williams
has the most power in The Crucible. Just one word from Abigail is enough to send an innocent person to their death if they are convicted as a witch. Abigail relishes her newfound power because as a young woman in a patriarchal, Puritan society, she's never had any power before.
