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1998-07-25
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This file is copyright of Jens Schriver (c)
It originates from the Evil House of Cheat
More essays can always be found at:
--- http://www.CheatHouse.com ---
... and contact can always be made to:
Webmaster@cheathouse.com
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Essay Name : 957.txt
Uploader : Ashod Balanian
Email Address : ashod@earthlink.net
Language : English
Subject : Fictional Stories
Title : John Proctor: A Hero or a Fool?
Grade : 11
School System : Public
Country : USA
Author Comments : Excellent evaluation of character
Teacher Comments : Well written and excellent detailed description
Date : 11-12-96
Site found at : link from another homepage
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John Proctor : a Hero or a Fool?
In Arthur Miller's famous allegorical play The Crucible ,the main character
John Proctor, a young defiant yet respected farmer, shows heroic characteristics
through intricate situations of theocratic injustice. Set in hysteria and chaos,
the witch trials of Salem village as the trials unfold Proctor finds himself in a
difficult situation in which his decision and actions decide not only his fate but the
fate of many innocent people like himself.
In the community, people looked upon John Proctor as a very respected
member of society. His image opitimized the good, decent man of Salem
village. When the hysteria of witchcraft had drawn its claws closer and closer to
Proctor, John was determined to take a stand and fight the injustice. His effots
alone drew the inspiration of his fellow neighbors, whether it was the signing of
the petition or sacrificing his life for the sake of the innocent who had been
accused. His moral courage and perserverance gave way to others like Giles
Corey to speak out against the court and stand for what they believe is true.
Being a devoted father and husband to Elizabeth, for the most part, every
action he took, in the back of his mind was his family. Although he had made a
mistake before with Abigail, he had vowed to himself that he would go to any
extreme measure to compensate for the past. On the day of his own hanging, in
his mind he not only did for his own reasoons but he left behind a dignified and
respected memory of himself and the family name. In there eyes John Proctor is a
legend in a sense that he sacrificed his own life for the sake of others but mostly
his family.
For a person as highly thought of as John Proctor, his one significant flaw
brings upon his downfall. Throughout the play, I saw a struggle going on inside
this man, one that he would never give up in because he couldn't find a way to
forgive himself. Even after he had recieved Elizabeth' forgiveness, he realized that
all aong he was searching for something else, something greater. That something
was coming to peace with himself. When he refused to confess to the "witchcraft"
and ultimately was sentenced to die, he realized that this was the greatest thing he
could do for himself and it was the only way he could be happy. One of the
last words he said "..for now, I do think I see some shred of goodness in John
Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from
such dogs". He looked upon death as a form of liberation but more of an answer
to what he was looking for all along.
In conclusion, John Proctor was a hero of moral courage because he looked
beyond the physical state of the matter and was more concerned with the moral
aspect of the situation. His heroic actions justified everything he beleived in and
everything he lived for.
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