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John Proctor as A Tragic Hero
The Crucible a play written in 1953 by Arthur Miller about the Salem witch trials when
puritan girls cried witchcraft causing many innocent people to die. Lead by Abigail
Williams over her obsession with John Proctor, an honorable man yet innocent but accused
of witchcraft after committing lechery with Abigail. John Proctor is a tragic hero
because of his dignified yet flawed position in the community.
John Proctor is an upstanding citizen. A kind, powerful, wise and even-tempered farmer in
his middle thirties. People often came to him for his advice. In his presence fools
felt his foolishness. John Proctor was highly respected in the Salem community.
John Proctors flaw as a tragic hero was breaking one of the Ten Commandments after
committing lechery with Abigail Williams. He often thought about this act as Abigail confronted
him through his life. a His wife Elizabeth Proctor knew of his affair and never
confronted John directly about it while trying in her heart to forgive him. John often
tired throughout the play to get Elizabeths forgiveness.
John had a destiny to realize. He would have to revel his affair with Abigail. Abigail
accused John of being a witch and was sentenced to death unless he confessed. Being the
upstanding man he was he could not confess to witchery because he was not a witch even
if it meant death. He ended up confessing after seeing his wife and discussing what
he should do. He confessed and had to sign a written confession. After he signed it
they said they would post the confession on the church door and John ripped his
confession into pieces
In conclusion John Proctor was a tragic hero.
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