John Proctor

Many may view John Proctor as a stooge because he had an affair with Abigail, and few may see him as a hero because of his last actions before he was hanged.

             As readers of The Crucible know, John Proctor was a farmer who lived with his wife Elizabeth and two sons. He wasn't like most puritans at the time. He seldom went to church and his children weren't baptized, which made the town's people suspicious about his faith and loyalty. One of the people who questioned his loyalty was his wife Elizabeth. Elizabeth hired Reverend Parris's niece, Abigail, to work for her family. This 'work' eventually turned into an affair between John and Abigail. Elizabeth knew about this, but kept it to herself.

When Abigail and her group of girls were accused of witchcraft, they all pretended and blamed it on person after person until the town was so bare that cattle were strolling about. Finally, Elizabeth was accused of witchcraft by Abigail and co and was arrested. John, determined to rescue his wife, went to the court to plead on behalf of his wife. This is where John's heroics emerge. Abigail, her girls, John, and the judges were present in the court. John called for his maid Mary to testify that the girls were pretending. Mary is unable to convince the judges and the girls use this opportunity to make it seem that Mary was involved in witchcraft by repeating the words she spoke. Down to his last shred of dignity, John admits that that he and Abigail slept together, and the only reason she accused Elizabeth of witchcraft is so that Abigail could have Elizabeth's place in bed. I believe that John's admittance shows that he is a true hero. A hero must have the courage to admit his wrongs and try to fix them. John wronged Elizabeth and now he admitted it so that he could try to save her.

After Mary's testimony that the girls pretended failed, she ran back to them and accused John of threatening to kill her. Enraged at this and the whole situation of Salem, he shouts, "God is dead!" Now, I'm not agreeing with what he said since I'm Christian, but I can understand what he means and how he feels. The fact that he even says this shows that he knows that something is not right with the town. How can so many people be accused and everyone believe that it is true? What he said means that the town is messed up and there isn't peace, happiness, unity, or anything good; all is bad. A true hero must be able to recognize when something is amiss and act on that.

Finally, when John is asked to sign a deposition to confess his sins and go back to living the way he was, he refuses and rips the paper after signing it. He knows that the paper will be hung on the church for everyone one to see, but he has lost everything and wants to keep his name. He says, "I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" In the end Proctor does what is right even though he knows he will be hung. His wife Elizabeth seconds his action and knows that he is doing what he believes is right. John is a true hero because he chose punishment for his wrongs instead of selling out to live his normal life. If he had sold out, his life might not even be normal because the people might resent him for what he has done. A true hero is able to admit wrong, know when something is wrong, and accept punishment for what he/she has done. John Proctor has shown all these traits and exceeded them. He is worthy of being called a hero.