When I read that John Proctor was hanged, my first feeling was to feel bad for him, and think that he was a good man, but then I stopped and I really wanted to think about what I really thought of him.
First the bad stuff, obviously, he had an affair with Abigail. Something else that he is bad at his lying, and he lets his temper get the best of him, and rips up official court documents. I also think that he is very stubborn when people give him choices to help himself and his wife. For example, when he was offered that Elizabeth would been released for a year, after birthing her baby. Of course, John Proctor being John Proctor decided to turn down the offer because he cares about everyone else. What a hero, right? Wrong.
Well, now here is the good stuff. First, he ignores Abigail, who wants to be with him, saying that he'll cut off his own hand before he touches her again. He also confesses for his sins, which almost works in his favor until he screwed up. He also really cares about the people in his community, and he is well liked by most of them. Lastly, he is a hardworking, and pretty nice guy.
After evaluating all of the information that I know about John Proctor, I have concluded that he is a stooge.
Should he have confessed and saved his life? That would probably make him more of a stooge in your eyes, or no?
ReplyDeleteWell, since a stooge is someone who is only there to help other other people, if he confessed he would have been less of a stooge, yet still not a hero.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that he is a stooge, but in a more humane light, he was a good man who had the right, progressive ideas.
ReplyDeleteDo you think him confessing to his affair with Abigail and vowing to never touch her again negate the badness of the affair in the first place?
By the stereotype, aren't heroes kind of obligated to care about everyone else? If he had succeeded in his goal, he would've been highly respected by the others (and though he didn't, his ambitions were that of a hero's).
I also agree that he is a stooge, but in a more humane light, he was a good man who had the right, progressive ideas.
ReplyDeleteDo you think him confessing to his affair with Abigail and vowing to never touch her again negate the badness of the affair in the first place?
By the stereotype, aren't heroes kind of obligated to care about everyone else? If he had succeeded in his goal, he would've been highly respected by the others (and though he didn't, his ambitions were that of a hero's).
I liked your opinion, even though it wasn't the same as mine. One of the "bad" qualities listed is that he it stubborn, which is bad but only when it goes along with stupidity. In john proctor's case, this was not seen. He was only stubborn for a good cause, which was inevitably that if he did not confess and was hung for it, the people would rebel against the unjust court. Though I do see what you're saying when you categorize this as a flaw because he did not know that he would be the catalyst.
ReplyDelete