Arthur Millers Presentation Of John Proctors Moral Journey Essay

Examine Arthur Millers Presentation Of John Proctors Moral Journey - The melting pot by Arthur MillerThe Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play based upon an Americansettlement during the late 1600s. It is centred most actual eventsfrom history to enterprise to portray the way of life in this era. Miller haschosen the confusion of the witch trials of this time, to provide abase for the struggles of his main character, John Proctor.At the ancestor of the play the focus is laid mainly on introducingthe main characters and storyline, but as the script unfolds, it get under ones skins clear that John Proctor is the main character, something not direct obvious from the beginning. It is how Miller presents anddemonstrates Proctors moral journey throughout the play, and thedifferent channels he uses to do this that I will focus on.Act One actually only sets the scene for the play by portraying thedifferent characters in the Salem and how their ways of life revolve just aboutly around the c hurch and their religion. The inhabitants can forthe most part be sectioned off into three groups the establishedfigures, eg. Rev. Parris the citizens, and people who have in theoryearned their status, eg. Francis and Rebecca Nurse and theoutsiders, eg. Rev. Hale. This set-up seems to work well until theevents of the play, when people become separated by their views, andeveryone begins blaming others for their shortcomings in order tomaintain their authority and status. The main power in the villagebeing the church, naturally the Rev. Parris will do anything to bread and butterhis position, especially as Miller informs us that his character feelsthat for some reason everyone in the world is against him, and hislife is jus... ... which he wasinnocent. At the very end, when he knew what would materialise to him,Proctor refused to publish a lie about himself, or admit to a sin hedid not commit. This shows at least some rarity of pride was left,even after everything he had been throu gh - and this is what saves himin the end. It makes him realise that John Proctor wasnt as evil ashe had thought, that, like everyone else, he was a mixture, and nowwith absolutely nothing to hide. Possibly, this act may cancel outJohns adultery, especially as there is a lot of confusion around whatare actually evil acts, and what are just natural flaws andinstincts. Elizabeth says right at the end of the play,He have his goodness now. God forbid I plight it from him..This suggests goodness and reconciliation in Proctors act, as theonce shallow and indecisive John, is finally decisive.