John Proctor Conflicts

Words: 514
Pages: 3

In 1953 Arthur Miller wrote a very popular play titled The Crucible which takes place in the 17th century during the Salem Witch Trials. He effectively relates many conflicts and universal themes together throughout the play. The characters John, Elizabeth and Reverend Parris are all fighting conflicts dealing with respect and reputation. John Proctor finds himself in many disputes with people, but his biggest battle is the one he is in with himself. John’s plan to defend his wife ends u backfiring because John ends up being accused of witchcraft. Then he is jailed until his scheduled day to be hanged. Eventually when the day of John’s scheduled death comes around he was presented an opportunity which could’ve saved his life. If he signed a documented paper saying that he indeed was a witch then he would be set free and not hanged. John faced a huge conflict within himself as he either would falsely admit to witchcraft thus allowing him to live, or he’d die an innocent but honorable man. After much contemplation John asks “how may I live without my name, leave me my name” (Miller 211). Although John is going to die because he wouldn’t sign the paper, he will still have a reputable and respectable name as he is …show more content…
One of those girls seen is Betty Parris who is the daughter of Reverend Parris. Being the Puritan minister for Salem, this was not a good look for Reverend Parris. Reverend Parris barely hears the sides to what happened before he verbally takes out his anger on Betty. He screams at his daughter saying “just when some good respect is rising for me, you compromise my very character” by being a part of this (Miller 144). In doing this he reveals himself as a selfish man who cares way more about his reputation than his daughters’. In this situation a great father would have stood up and defended his