Changes Of John Proctor Throughout The Play The Crucible

Christopher Pike once said, “Nothing is as it seems.’ John Proctor, from the play The Crucible, relates to this quote. John Proctor is a farm owner in Salem, Massachusetts. He was a well – respected man who went through some road bumps that made his characteristics change drastically. John Proctor changed throughout the play because of events that made him have to change his judgment, beliefs and emotions.

The beginning of the play, John Proctor is not presented as a good man, he is portrayed as weak and unfaithful. John Proctor says this as he is feeling guilty about having an affair with Abigail, “But I’ll plead no more! I see how your spirit twists around the single error of my life, and I will never tear it free”. This quote shows that John Proctor is guilty for having an affair and that he is worried that his mistake will stay with him for eternally.

John Proctors, weakness changed into him being a bad-tempered man who was violent and aggressive when his wife was being cold with him. John Proctor say’s this to Elizabeth and his servant, “I’ll whip you if you dare leave this house again.” Him saying that was prime evidence that he turned ill-tempered and violent. Because of his wife, Elizabeth, John has become a violent and angry man at this point in the play.

At the end of the play, John Proctor changed to be devoted to his wife and family and he transformed into a courageous man. John Proctor says this while being at the courthouse, “I have three children, how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, when I sold my friends.” This quote shows us how John wants to set a good example for his kids. He showed responsibility and no fear as he scarifies his life for his family. Due to all the events John Proctor went through, he changed into a better person.

John Proctor changed for the better and became a town hero who died to save lives of innocent people. Major events throughout the play made John Proctor change his emotions, believes and judgements. John started off being weak and unfaithful. Then due to Elizabeth being cold he changed and became violent and ill tempered. Towards the end of the play his morality changed, and he became courageous and a real hero. John’s characterization changes represented the struggles of a man both mentally and physically.