John Proctor Sacrifice

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From one perspective, a crucible is a vessel in which metals or other substances are put in scorching heat to melt. In a more literary take, a crucible defined as a “severe test or trial.” As one explores the character’s situations and conflicts, it is clear that this meaning corresponds perfectly with the conflict of Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible. Many of the townspeople face horrendous charges of witchcraft with a very real potential death sentence hanging in the air like a black cloud. On desperate and vengeance fueled false charges, they are metaphorically thrown into the flames and are forced to make the imperative choice to sacrifice someone else in the name of self-preservation or stand their ground and endure the fiery wrath. Perhaps the most important example is of John Proctor, a local farmer, who must search deep inside himself during this great moral compromise.
Proctor knows that if he confesses, he will escape death’s clutches, yet his reputation will be tarnished. However, he feels he has already ruined himself unlike the others that will hang: “Let them that never lied die now to keep their souls. It is pretense for me, a vanity that will not blind God” (p. 126). Though as he signs his name away, he has a cathartic moment in which the shame overcomes him and he reestablishes his innocence to …show more content…
Considering Abigail and Betty have mysteriously escaped town and time is whittling away, there are few options left to stop the madness. A revolt is brewing among the people, especially at the death of these high status individuals for questionable reasons. Proctor further provokes these agitated feelings. He refuses to perpetuate the vicious cycle by deflecting the blame onto innocent others or supporting the existence of witchcraft by confessing. In his bravery, he turns his back on giving in to what Judge Danforth, Reverend Parris and Hale want, surrendering his life in the process of this infamous
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