The Crucible Character Essay Voltaire, a French advocator of freedom of religion and expression once said, "every man, as to character, is the creature of the age in which he lives. Very few are able to raise themselves above the ideas of their times." The play, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, is about the idea of witchcraft controlling a society. In the play, the Puritan town of Salem is divided by the greater idea of witchcraft. Throughout the play, John Proctor is illustrated as brave, impulsive, and regretful as he tries to stand against the ideas of his time. A prominent characteristic of John Proctor is bravery. He is brave because he stands up for what he believes in even if there are consequences. For example,
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This warrant 's vengeance! I 'll not give my wife to vengeance!"(39). This quote demonstrates bravery because Proctor is going against common belief when he says that Salem is the same as it has always been, that vengeance has taken control. Proctor is also brave for defending Elizabeth, who is an accused witch. Another example of John Proctor going against common belief is when he brings Mary Warren to court so she can admit that she lied about seeing spirits in the forest. Proctor says to the court, "but who tells us Rebecca Nurse murdered seven babies by sending out her spirit on them? It is the children only, and this one will swear she lied to you"(47). This shows bravery because he is announcing to the court that he does not trust what the children are saying about witchcraft, even though members of the court believe that the girls can see witches with the devil. These two quotes show bravery because he is speaking out, he is standing up for what he thinks is right even if nobody …show more content…
For example, in the first act, Proctor and Reverend Samuel Parris are arguing. Parris mentions the party that is supposedly against him, Proctor replies, "Why, then I must find it and join it!"(14). This was impulsive because Proctor openly stated he was against a Puritan minister, which in their society could get him into trouble. Another time that Proctor acted impulsively was when Danforth and Parris were accusing him of witchcraft after Mary Warren told them that he forced her to lie about what she saw in the forest. Proctor says to Danforth and Parris, "I say - I say - God is dead!"(61). This was impulsive because it makes Proctor look guilty of being with the devil. Finally, Proctor acted impulsively when he destroyed his written confession of witchcraft(75). Although this was brave, it was also impulsive because it meant an automatic death sentence. Overall, John Proctor was impulsive because he said and did things without fully thinking them through. Even though Proctor 's words and actions were sometimes impulsive, they always showed him standing against the beliefs of society. Proctor is also portrayed as regretful in the
This warrant 's vengeance! I 'll not give my wife to vengeance!"(39). This quote demonstrates bravery because Proctor is going against common belief when he says that Salem is the same as it has always been, that vengeance has taken control. Proctor is also brave for defending Elizabeth, who is an accused witch. Another example of John Proctor going against common belief is when he brings Mary Warren to court so she can admit that she lied about seeing spirits in the forest. Proctor says to the court, "but who tells us Rebecca Nurse murdered seven babies by sending out her spirit on them? It is the children only, and this one will swear she lied to you"(47). This shows bravery because he is announcing to the court that he does not trust what the children are saying about witchcraft, even though members of the court believe that the girls can see witches with the devil. These two quotes show bravery because he is speaking out, he is standing up for what he thinks is right even if nobody …show more content…
For example, in the first act, Proctor and Reverend Samuel Parris are arguing. Parris mentions the party that is supposedly against him, Proctor replies, "Why, then I must find it and join it!"(14). This was impulsive because Proctor openly stated he was against a Puritan minister, which in their society could get him into trouble. Another time that Proctor acted impulsively was when Danforth and Parris were accusing him of witchcraft after Mary Warren told them that he forced her to lie about what she saw in the forest. Proctor says to Danforth and Parris, "I say - I say - God is dead!"(61). This was impulsive because it makes Proctor look guilty of being with the devil. Finally, Proctor acted impulsively when he destroyed his written confession of witchcraft(75). Although this was brave, it was also impulsive because it meant an automatic death sentence. Overall, John Proctor was impulsive because he said and did things without fully thinking them through. Even though Proctor 's words and actions were sometimes impulsive, they always showed him standing against the beliefs of society. Proctor is also portrayed as regretful in the