John Proctor

I chose John Proctor for this assignment. Though it may not be the most creative pick, since he is the main character, but Proctor is a character that fascinates me, and I want to write about him nevertheless. Since he is the main character I have to narrow it down, or I would have an awfully lot to write about. Thus I have chosen to look at John Proctor’s motivation for entering town and trying to stop Abigail. I would have to narrow it down again; to before Hale enters (in act two page 52) or I would, yet again, have quite a lot to write about. In addition he has already decided to enter town at this point, so it still relevant.

John Proctor is to be considered a good man, but still just a man, and therefore somewhat faulty. His main fault (or sin) is that he, while Elizabeth Proctor was ill; he had an affair with Abigail, who was in their service at the time. His wife got suspicious and questioned him about it, and as “a good Christian” he confessed. Abigail loves Proctor and this is why she told him he truth; that the girls were “only sportin’”. The guilt he is carrying for lechery is fueling many of his decisions, including this one. Proctor believes that he is responsible for Abigail getting carried away (read: turning mad), and he fears that the ultimate goal is to condemn his wife. Since he sits on crucial information that might turn the tables in court he feels even worse.  At the same time Elizabeth Proctor is accusing him of being afraid; that he would not hesitate if it would have been anyone else than Abigail he would have to confront. This makes Proctor angry, because he does not want anything to do with Abigail, and now his wife is forcing him to talk with her. I believe that Proctor is simply ashamed, that he is reminded of his sin every time he is around Abigail.

Goody Proctor is on good way edging Proctor on when Mary enters. She brings news: there is now 39 people accused for witchery and Goody Proctor has been “somewhat mentioned” in court. This strikes fear in Proctors heart as he knows that soon enough she will be more than “mentioned”. Elizabeth Proctor knows this too, so now he has no choice. He has to travel to town and confront Abigail, and then Hale enters.

Act One

In act one "The Crucible" describes a small town in Massachusetts – Salem in the year 1692. We find Parris, the local reverend, praying by his daughter’s bed. Parris’ daughter Betty is unconscious and the doctor of the town can not seem to find a cure for her unknown illness in his books. The reader is soon introduced to a large gallery of characters; like Abigail Parris’ maid/“uncle”, Tituba Parris’ Negro slave and Susanna who brings news from the doctor. As Susanna reveals the doctor’s message about Betty’s illness might be caused by “unnatural” reasons, the town is starting to mumble about witchcraft. The events which led to both Betty fainting (and not awakening) is also starting to unravel: Tituba, Abigail, Betty and some other girls from town were apparently dancing “like heathen” out in the forest when reverend Parris walked in on them. According to Abigail Betty only took “a fright” and fainted, though the doctor apparently disagrees. Reverend Parris, who is afraid for his reputation among the town’s people, sends for Reverend Hale, a famous “witch-finder”, in order to remove all doubt about his daughter being a witch or bewitched. The reader learns that Betty is not is the only girl who can not wake, so as time passes the whispers in town turns into shouting. Hale has arrived and proceeds to “free” the girls from the “devil’s grip”. The girls feel trapped, as accusations of witchcraft start to haggle. The act ends when the girls, on Abigail’s lead, starts ratting out people they allegedly saw standing with the devil. As they are still screaming out names the curtains fall.

As for characters I see as important there is of course Abigail, Reverend Parris and Hale. While I did think that Tituba and Betty would be much more central characters I underestimated the role of John Proctor.