The Crucible: John Proctor Is A Tragic Hero
Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" is clearly a representation of the
true meaning of tragedy. John Proctor was, in fact, the medium, the tool,
of which Miller utilized to convey a universal depiction of tragedy. A
broad definition of a tragic hero is a protagonist who, through faults and
flaws of his own and in the society in which he exists, falters in the
grand scheme of things. This mistake leads to suffering, which ultimately
leads to a self-realization. Miller, himself, has said, "Tragedy, then, is
the consequence of a man's total compulsion to evaluate himself justly,"
leading us to believe that a greater theme encompasses this downfall.
Miller, as well as many other literary ...
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to. He is described as a "farmer in
his middle thirties" with a " powerful body" and a "steady manner", and is
already being established as the protagonist in which we sympathize
with.(p.19) Miller's choice to describe him in such a fashion is very
significant. By describing the tragic hero as a "strong, steady, farmer"
the dramatic effect is even greater. Who else better to fall victim to his
own personal freedom and the fear of others but the strong, stern
character? John Proctor's description also provides another outlet to
convey the dynamic nature of his character. While the physical side of
Proctor deteriorated towards the conclusion of the story a contrast is
created. John is said to be "...another man, bearded, filthy, his eyes
misty as though webs had overgrown them, " an obvious discrepancy from his
initial condtion.(p.123) Thus, John's physical delineation is an apparent
parallel to the changes he emotionally undergoes making him a dynamic
character. Miller also ...
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among them. When word
spread, speaking of witchcraft in Salem, that fear, that paranoia emerged
ever so imminently and thus began the tragedy. With the people's fear came
rumors. Mrs. Putnam asked, "How high did she fly, how high?" of Betty
clearly exhibiting that rumors of witchcraft were surfacing and
spreading.(p.12) Subsequently, from such rumors came the accusations. It
was the accusations that proved most costly. People turned against each
other saving themselves by accusing their neighbors. All of these
consequences sprouted from fear in the hearts and minds of the people of
Salem. Fear, however, only contributed to this tragedy.
John Proctor's freedom within was the ...
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"The Crucible: John Proctor Is A Tragic Hero." Essayworld.com. March 7, 2005. Accessed April 19, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Crucible-John-Proctor-Tragic-Hero/23361.
"The Crucible: John Proctor Is A Tragic Hero." Essayworld.com. March 7, 2005. Accessed April 19, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Crucible-John-Proctor-Tragic-Hero/23361.
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