John Proctor is a Puritan farmer who lives with his wife, Elizabeth, and three children. Probably his biggest past secret was that he had an affair with the seventeen year old orphaned niece of Reverend Parris, Abigail, who worked for his family. His wife caught them one day and kicked Abigail out and ever since then he feels really guilty. His is upset that it is hard for his wife to fully trust him ever that. He doesn't believe in all the witchcraft accusations because Abigail said herself that they did not practice witchcraft. One of his fears is that his wife will die for him after a false accusation of witchcraft from Abigail.
Says: "I like it not that Mr. Parris should lay his land upon my baby. I see no light of God in that man. I'll not conceal it" (Miller,65).
"My wife will never die for me! I will bring your guts into your mouth but that goodness will not die for me!" (80). |
The first quote shows one of the many times that Parris has verbally acknowledged to others how much he dislikes Parris. He says it outright, which shows that he is not afraid to voice his opinions. He doesn't like Parris is a man and as a reverend. The second quote shows how much he stands for what he believes in. He loves his wife and knows that the accusations of witchcraft on everyone are false. He will go to any length to bring justice to his wife. This shows that he is a determined man who is not afraid to do all he can for his purpose.
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Thoughts:
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Effects on others: Hale, quietly it has impressed him" (69)
"Hale: 'Excellency, he claims hard evidence for his wife's defense. I think that in all justice you must-" (86). |
For the first quote, when Hale was asking him if he would go testify in court, Proctor says that he wonders if his story will be believed in that kind of a court when even such a great minster like Hale could be suspicious of Rebecca Nurse, who everyone knows cannot lie. What Proctor says impresses Hale. In the second quote, Hale is telling Danforth to give Proctor a chance to show his evidence. This shows that because Proctor stands for what he believes in with great reasons and evidence to back him up, he has made an impression on Reverend Hale, who is now suspicious of how true the girls really are. Proctor has changed Hale's mind a little bit.
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Actions: "Proctor, suddenly snatching the warrant out of Cheever's hands... ripping the warrant" (76).
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When Proctor takes his wife's arrest warrant and rips it, it shows how angry he is at this injustice. He really is shocked and angered that so many innocent people, who no one was ever suspicious of before, are now getting arrested and hanged for false accusations of witchcraft based on the lies of girls. After he rips it, he also says, "Damn the Deputy Governor," (77). Again this shows that he is not afraid to voice his opinions and take action. He is a brave man.
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Looks: "Proctor was a farmer in his middle thirties...He was the kind of man-powerful of body, even-tempered, and not easily led..." (20).
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Based on his looks we can tell that he is a strong man physically and I think he is strong in other ways too, like him not being afraid and standing for what he believes in. I think that some people might be intimidated by him because of this. I also think that the way he is described also implies that he is well-respected in the community.
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