john proctor is a tragic hero essay

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John Proctor's Evolution: A "Crucible" Character Analysis

Table of contents, introduction, the crucible john proctor character analysis: a man of integrity, character analysis essay: the crucible's tragic hero, the human and the symbolic: john proctor’s dual role, works cited.

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John Proctor, A Tragic Hero

• Category Literature
• Subcategory Literary Genre
• Topic Tragic Hero

While according to Aristotle, a tragic hero is a literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his/her destruction, there is nothing implied about a true “hero” in that definition (Google Search). According to the dictionary, a hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities (Hero). John Proctor in Aurther Miller’s, The Crucible, can easily be seen as a tragic hero from the view of Aristotle. But what if Aristotle is wrong? Proctor’s story is that of him coming face to face with his own mistakes in the form of the trial at the end of the play. I believe a tragic hero is one who faces the destruction of character, material possessions, or power while causing good for others. Proctor’s adulterous ways benefited no one and if anything caused the trials to take place, decimating the lives of numerable families. While the punishment may be seen as extreme compared to modern standards, it is appropriate to the standards of the time and those found in the Bible, the basis of the Puritan’s beliefs. Albeit, Proctor possesses these outstanding achievements and noble qualities the book is the story of how he loses what defines him as a hero and it ultimately cost his life, therefore, Proctor is not a tragic hero.

In the community, Proctor was seen as a noble figure with an untarnished reputation. But, even in the initial description of him, Proctor was called a “sinner not only against the moral fashion of the time but against his vision of decent conduct” (Miller 19). He knows that his affair with Abigail was shameful and he has sinned against his wife, family, Abigale, and God. But throughout the play, he still is concerned with his reputation. A man who has done such things in no sense can be called a “hero” even if a tragic one. He has constructed a guise of a reputable man, which he may have been before the events between him and Abigail transpired, but when we are allowed to observe the events he is not as such. Proctor’s opinion seems to be valued by the community in the first scene of act one. And one in those initial moments of that scene may seem to also until his interactions with Abigail unfold. For as long as possible, Proctor keeps his relationship with Abigaile a secret and only lets it unravel when members of the town are being killed.

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After his affair with Abigail, Proctor and Elizebeth’s relationship changed drastically. They now seem to be walking on eggshells with each other. A man who has such a relationship with his wife simply cannot be called a hero. While the strain they have gone through emotionally is a tragedy, Proctor chose it. But, Elizebeth blames herself for his unfaithfulness in their marriage. She tells him so after his confession, “Suspicion kissed you when I did; I never knew how I should say my love. It were a cold house I kept!” (Miller 127). Proctor after his wife’s confession to him cannot even comfort her in the time of emotional unrest. He doesn’t take responsibility for his actions. While in court he was forced to confess to his affair, but only because he considers himself a “moral man” and could not lie. But in the end, he lied anyway to live.

Throughout history, we are all aware of martyrs. Some may argue that Proctor even is one because he died unnecessarily because he believed in preserving his name. But a real martyr dies for a cause in which they are devoted to. For example, Rebecca Nurse was condemned to be hanged because she would not compromise her Christian morals and admit to what she did not do. The same goes for Giles Corey. Not only did Proctor wrongly confess to witchcraft, but he also dies for an egotistical cause. The confession was the only way to live through an accusation, many did so to live. And while one may judge them for their actions in this life and death trade-off, when presented with lying to live, or doing what is right for a physical death this displayed how strong their beliefs are. A devoted Puritan or any Christian does not fear death for they know life on earth is a minuscule detail when it comes to eternal life in heaven.

John Proctor is not a tragic hero as displayed in how he deceived his community, how he deals with his unfaithfulness to his wife, and how he gave up his Puritan belief system to possess his own life. Heros do not let others believe what is not truly there. Heros do not cheat on their wives. And heroes do not give up what they originally thought they stood for. Tragedy may bring out to light a side of people that one may rather wish was not there, but no matter how desperately they wish it will not go away. Character is genuinely put to the test. And according to Aristotle, Proctor did what was expected.

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Character Analysis

Tragic Hero

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John Proctor

• Frederick Douglass
• Abigail Williams
• Sherlock Holmes
• Huckleberry Finn
• Holden Caulfield

John Proctor: A Tragic Hero

John Proctor: Tragic HeroAs human beings, we each display specific traits and qualities that define our character and shape our personalities. The way in which we carry ourselves establishes our reputations, as well as how others identify us. We are each prone to making mistakes, and unfortunately, the mistakes we make can affect the way people see us as well.

The struggle to regain a good name can be difficult and uncertain once someone’s reputation is tarnished. In Arthur Miller’s timeless play, The Crucible, a well-respected man named John Proctor betrays his wife and struggles to gain her forgiveness and his good name in the village of Salem. Although John Proctor betrays his wife, he remains the tragic hero of the play for he recognizes his faulty actions and dies with integrity and honesty in the end. In the play, John Proctor holds a tragic flaw that leads him to his downfall.

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Proctor embodies the deadly sin of lust, for he acts upon his attraction to a young, manipulative, and strikingly beautiful girl in the village named Abigail Williams and betrays his wife.While he attempts to disconnect himself from his sin, as well as Abigail, she states, “I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I come near!” (Miller 22) Abigail’s statement uncovers evidence regarding the secret relationship she and John Proctor previously shared. Both she and Proctor know the relation they shared is wrong, and this detail exhibits how his tragic flaw of lust led him to commit such a faulty action he can not expose to anyone. As Proctor continues to conceal his past relationship with Abigail, his wife Elizabeth’s suspicions of the two having associated begin to surface when he accidentally reveals they were alone together.

In disbelief, Elizabeth says, “John, you are not open with me. You saw her with a crowd, you said.” (Miller 55) Elizabeth’s uncertainty in her husband’s claims reveals a deeper conflict between the two, in which Proctor has been dishonest with her on several occasions. His admission to being alone with Abigail displays his dishonesty, as well as his immoral misdeed of betraying his own wife.

Proctor’s wrongdoing impacts his reputation negatively throughout the course of the play, categorizing him as the tragic hero for possessing a tragic flaw that leads him to a downfall with his wife and himself. As the tragic hero of the play, John Proctor recognizes his mistake and seeks forgiveness for his sins. As Proctor and Elizabeth further discuss his wrongdoing, he seeks her forgiveness in a way in which Elizabeth cannot agree to. Proctor states, “… I have gone tiptoe in this house all seven month since she is gone.

I have not moved from there to here without I think to please you, and still an everlasting funeral marches around your heart.” (Miller 54) Proctor’s statement demonstrates his indirect attempt to reconcile with Elizabeth and the immense amount of time he has felt sorry for his wrongdoing.His recognition of his faults and his attempts to resolve them demonstrate the qualities he embodies as a tragic hero. John Proctor also exhibits his recognition of his sins when he says, “When will you know me, woman? Were I stone I would have cracked for shame this seven month!” (Miller 62) He uses a stone to symbolize himself as being able to be damaged by his guilt and remorse, demonstrating his capability to recognize his own actions and feel repentance for them.

Proctor attempts to redeem himself and show Elizabeth he is an honest man and that he is truly sorry for his wrongdoings. His ability to admit to his wrongdoings and his efforts to mend his relationship with his wife, and himself, categorize him as the tragic hero of the play. John Proctor sought his wife’s forgiveness to regain her trust and to entitle him to die an honest man. He recognized his actions; he simply wanted his wife to recognize them too.

“Let you look sometimes for the goodness in me, and judge me not.” (Miller 55) Proctor’s appeal to his wife reveals his hope for her forgiveness and for her to see the goodness in him. He wants his wife to recognize him as an honest man, because to him that is the only substance that made him feel like a good person. Later in the course of the play, Elizabeth forgives Proctor for his mistakes.

She states, “John, it come to naught that I should forgive you… Whatever you will do, it is a good man does it… it needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.” (Miller 136-137) Elizabeth’s statement to her husband exhibits an understanding of his mistakes and acknowledgement of the good man Proctor truly is. Elizabeth’s forgiveness allows Proctor to forgive himself as well. After being forgiven, John Proctor can now die an honest man, a tragic hero – a man with integrity and goodness.

In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, it is evident that John Proctor is the tragic hero.Concluding through evidence in the play, it is fairly simple to connect him with separate parts of the definition. He makes his share of mistakes, just as many human beings do. John Proctor is fundamentally a good man, with respectable intentions and an appropriate moral code.

He recognizes his own mistakes and makes efforts to repair the damage he has made. He is forgiven, and his honesty and goodness can now be restored. His suffering was meaningful, but not entirely deserved. Bringing all of these parts together, we can say that John Proctor is truly a tragic hero.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Crucible — Analysis of John Proctor as Tragic Hero in “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller

Analysis of John Proctor as Tragic Hero in "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller

• Categories: John Proctor The Crucible Tragic Hero

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Words: 1530 |

Pages: 3.5 |

Published: Jun 29, 2018

Words: 1530 | Pages: 3.5 | 8 min read

This essay explores the character of John Proctor in Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible" and analyzes whether he can be considered a true tragic hero according to Aristotle's criteria. The essay begins by defining Aristotle's parameters for a tragic hero, which include being of noble birth, having a fatal flaw or hamartia, and experiencing anagnorisis, a moment of enlightenment and redemption.

The essay argues that John Proctor can be seen as the tragic hero in the play, as he fits many of Aristotle's criteria. Proctor is a respected figure in Puritan Salem, and his fatal flaw is identified as his hubris, particularly his obsession with maintaining his reputable name. His affair with Abigail Williams and his refusal to confess his involvement in the witch trials due to his pride contribute to his downfall.

However, the essay also highlights a key issue with Proctor's character as a tragic hero. While he experiences a form of redemption by tearing up his signed confession and standing up to the corrupt authorities, this redemption is rooted in his desire to protect his reputation rather than a genuine shift in values. This self-serving nature of his redemption detracts from his characterization as a true tragic hero, as he fails to undergo a true anagnorisis.

Works Cited

• Aristotle. (1996). Poetics (R. Janko, Trans.). Hackett Publishing Company.
• Miller, A. (1953). The Crucible. Penguin Books.
• Golden, A. L. (Ed.). (2010). The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts (Vol. 15). Dramatists Play Service.
• Bloom, H. (Ed.). (2009). Arthur Miller's The Crucible (Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations). Infobase Publishing.
• Murphy, B. (2011). Arthur Miller (Modern Critical Views). Infobase Publishing.
• Bell, R. C. (2000). Understanding Arthur Miller. Univ of South Carolina Press.
• Bigsby, C. W. (2005). Arthur Miller: A Critical Study. Cambridge University Press.
• Koprince, S. (2017). The Crucible by Arthur Miller (MAXNotes Literature Guides). Research & Education Association.
• Meyer, M. (2015). The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing (11th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin's.
• Roudané, M. (Ed.). (2010). The Cambridge Companion to Arthur Miller (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

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