Arthur Miller‘s use of change in character in his renowned novel, The Crucible, is one of the more striking features. Characters that change significantly through physical or emotional experiences or conditions are called dynamic characters In Miller’s book, one such character is John Proctor, the husband of Elizabeth Proctor as well as one of the main characters in the story. In the near beginning of the tale, John Proctor tries to keep a low profile of his affair with Abigail, Denying her heart, Proctor replies, “Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time, but I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again…” Later in the story, the accusations bring about suspicions in John Proctor‘s house.
When asked to recite his commandments, he can only name nine and ironically leaves out the one concerning adultery. Proctor’s character, at this point, has changed from cautious to suspicious. Near the end of the play, Proctor destroys his reputation by proclaiming, “..,God is dead!”. Here, his character expresses complete guilt and surrender. Another dynamic character in the play is Elizabeth Proctor, the wife of John Proctor. She first appears in the second act in the common room of Mr, Proctor’s house. Elizabeth‘s character is peaceful, yet unsettling, because of the recent accusations. Soon after, she is accused of witchcraft and she becomes frightened and protective of her family.
She denies the claims by stating, “If you think I am (a witch), then I say there are none.” Finally, in the fourth act, Elizabeth’s character changes dramatically when her husband is taken to the gallows. She cries, “He have his goodness now. God forbid] take it from him!”. Here, Elizabeth presents herself as a passionate, loving, and proud Christian and wife. The changes in character Elizabeth and John Proctor express lead to the main themes of The Crucible such as the enhancement of unselfish love contributed by Elizabeth or the reward of honor with the price of death paid by John Proctor.
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Arthur Miller’s use of character development in his renowned novel, The Crucible, is a captivating aspect of his storytelling. One of the most remarkable features is the transformation of characters through their experiences and conditions, known as dynamic characters. Within Miller’s book, John Proctor emerges as one such character, being the husband of Elizabeth Proctor and a central figure in the story.
At the outset of the tale, John Proctor attempts to conceal his affair with Abigail, striving to maintain a low profile. Denying her advances, he sternly declares, “Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time, but I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again…” However, as the story progresses and accusations arise, suspicions infiltrate John Proctor’s household. When asked to recite the commandments, he can only recall nine, ironically omitting the one pertaining to adultery. This shift in his character showcases a transition from caution to suspicion.
Towards the end of the play, John Proctor shatters his reputation by proclaiming, “God is dead!”. In this moment, his character expresses a complete surrender to guilt. The journey of John Proctor’s character is a testament to the internal turmoil he undergoes and the sacrifices he makes.
