John Proctors Moral Struggle in The Crucible Essay

John Proctors Moral Struggle in The Crucible The primary dramatic focus in the play The Crucible is the moral struggle of its protagonist, John Proctor. Certain characteristics of John Proctors character and also the environment of the Puritanical Salem alleviated this problem for him. The main issues running through out the play are a series of dilemmas that John Proctor faces. The first and foremost of these is his guilt over his adulterous affair with Abigail Williams, the second his hesitation to testify against Abigail to bring out the truth and the third, his final decision to make the ultimate sacrifice. John Proctor is portrayed throughout the play to be a man who has high moral values that he must abide by. He†¦show more content†¦Abomination! Some secret blasphemy that stinks to heaven? By saying this, Hale extends Proctors guilt in that his hidden sin has caused the whole community to fall to the vengeance of God. The second act develops the need for Proctor to take action in the court and expose the girls as frauds. The focus moves onto Proctor, who has the power to take action, but is prevented from doing so by his guilt over committing adultery and fear of exposure as a sinner. He overcomes these conflicts by deciding to testify against Abigail and confessing to the crime of lechery. It is at this moment that he realises that he must participate in the community and that his individual needs might have to be sacrificed for the good of all. Another motivation for Proctor could have been that he wanted to replace his wifes alleged guilt with his own and that he wanted to be redeemed of his sin. He realised however, that it was to late and the witch craze could not be stopped. In a powerful speech at the end of the third act Proctor says: For them that quail to bring men out of ignorance, as I have quailed, and as you quail#8230;God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together This speech shows that Proctor is blaming himself for this tragedy. Proctors guilt still continues about his affair with Abigail and he is also now guilty for hesitating to act earlier. The finalShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of John Proctor s The Crucible 1223 Words   |  5 PagesFORGET In common vernacular, a crucible is used to heat substances in order to become more pure or perfect; however, when a town with strict theology and no tolerance is subject to the grueling torture of innocent lives dying for a false cause, the result is anything but perfect. Though John Proctor does find some relief in his redemption at the end, by no means does the drama have a happy ending. 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