The Crucible- A Tragedy In Every Sense Essay, Research Paper

Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” is clearly a representation of the true meaning of

tragedy. John Proctor was, in fact, the medium, the tool, of which Miller utilized to

convey a universal depiction of tragedy. A broad definition of a tragic hero is a

protagonist who, through faults and flaws of his own and in the society in which he

exists, falters in the grand scheme of things. This mistake leads to suffering, which

ultimately leads to a self-realization. Miller, himself, has said, “Tragedy, then, is the

consequence of a man’s total compulsion to evaluate himself justly,” leading us to

believe that a greater theme encompasses this downfall. Miller, as well as many other

literary critics seem to convey that tragedy revolves around two universal aspects: fear

and freedom. “The Crucible” is a direct parallel to the multiple ideals of tragedy and thus

centers around John Proctor’s fear and freedom while he exists as a tragic hero.

The first stage in the process of establishing the tragic hero for Miller was

relaying the characteristics of John Proctor. It was essential that Proctor be viewed as the

so called “good guy” in the plot, one who stands out or the audience can relate to. He is

described as a “farmer in his middle thirties” with a ” powerful body” and a “steady

manner”, and is already being established as the protagonist in which we sympathize

with.(p.19) Miller’s choice to describe him in such a fashion is very significant. By

describing the tragic hero as a “strong, steady, farmer” the dramatic effect is even greater.

Who else better to fall victim to his own personal freedom and the fear of others but the

strong, stern character? John Proctor’s description also provides another outlet to convey

the dynamic nature of his character. While the physical side of Proctor deteriorated

towards the conclusion of the story a contrast is created. John is said to be “…another

man, bearded, filthy, his eyes misty as though webs had overgrown them, ” an obvious

discrepancy from his initial condtion.(p.123) Thus, John’s physical delineation is an

apparent parallel to the changes he emotionally undergoes making him a dynamic

character. Miller also establishes Proctor as the protagonist by giving him qualities the

audience found favor with. John went against the normalities and conceptions of the

townsfolk. An aspect we can truly justify, especially in America. Proctor’s practical

nature is indicated when he often does not attend Church. He does not agree with Parris’

talk of hell, exclaiming “Can you speak one minute without we land in Hell again?” and

thus turns away from the Church, clearly emphasizing that rebellious side.(p.28)

The second step in creating the tragic hero is emphasizing the mistake or flaw

which brings upon the character’s descent. It is in this stage that fear and freedom enter

as a major part of John Proctor’s actions.

“And if society alone is responsible for the cramping of our lives then the

protagonist must needs be so pure and faultless as to force us to deny his validity

as a character. From neither of these views can tragedy derive, simply because

neither represents a balanced concept of life.”(Miller)

It is this balance between the internal and external that opens the door for fear and

freedom to enter. Fear is society’s tool. In Puritan New England paranoia was a common

aspect. The people lived in fear of the devil, a physical devil that existed and walked

among them. When word spread, speaking of witchcraft in Salem, that fear, that

paranoia emerged ever so imminently and thus began the tragedy. With the people’s fear

came rumors. Mrs. Putnam asked, “How high did she fly, how high?” of Betty clearly

exhibiting that rumors of witchcraft were surfacing and spreading.(p.12) Subsequently,

from such rumors came the accusations. It was the accusations that proved most costly.

People turned against each other saving themselves by accusing their neighbors. All of

these consequences sprouted from fear in the hearts and minds of the people of Salem.

Fear, however, only contributed to this tragedy.

John Proctor’s freedom within was the other half that completes the equation. It

was this freedom that resulted in his mistakes, his flaws. Proctor chose to have relations,

outside of his marriage to Elizabeth with Abigail. In Act Two, John makes a determined

effort to please Elizabeth. He kisses her perfunctoritly; he lies in saying that her cooking

is well-seasoned (perhaps a kind of irony on the lack of spice in Elizabeth) showing the

strain in their relationship. (Murray, 46) Like all men Proctor had his temptations yet his

freedom allowed him to give in to them. Through his own freedom John “lusted with the

girl” and went “against the law of God and Salem” (Murray, 46) Freedom also existed in

John’s choice to not attend Church. It was this choice that also contributed to his

downfall, for it did not put him in the best standings with the townspeople. The fear in

society and the freedom of John Proctor both complement each other in that balance that

Miller spoke of . Tragedy comes from what the protagonist can, as well as cannot

control. This evidence clearly holds true to Miller’s definition of tragedy.

Suffering was a major step in coaxing John to his realization. He suffered

mentally and emotionally because of his flaw, as the heat of the accusations intensified.

He witnessed his wife Elizabeth go through the agony of being accused as a witch. he

suffers because he too was accused of betraying God. Their true suffering becomes

apparent when Proctor confesses to adultery to pardon Elizabeth. Elizabeth lies in turn to

save her husband’s name. They endured this torment for each other. They endured it till

their day of sentencing. This extreme anguish and emotional stress which Miller creates

adds to the sence of tragedy. It is this emphatical grief which makes the conclusion of

The Crucible so outstanding. Miller utilizes the sorrow to make Proctor’s all-important

realization that much more spectacular. However, in the Greek definition of tragedy this

suffering would serve as pathos. Pathos is the element of sympathy in the plot to evoke

pity. In the Greek tradition this was essential to the plot. However, Miller does not see

his tragedy as one that should include pity for the protagonist. “The possibility of victory

must be there in tragedy. Where pathos rules, where pathos is finally derived, a character

has fought a battle he could not have possible won.”(Miller) This statement demonstrates

the conflict in belief. Miller feels the protagonist must emerge victorious in some way

where the Greek tradition relies on an emphasis of pity. In Miller’s view, how can we

have pity for someone who has won? This is where the conflict lies and as we see in

Proctor’s realization, ” The Crucible” will hold true to Miller’s definition.

Proctor learns something about himself and the world around him in his final

realization before his execution. This is the concluding step in the tragic plot. “Tragedy

seems to me to be an investigation of the possibilities of human freedom.”(Kerr) Again,

it is Proctor’s freedom that makes him a tragic hero.

“I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud, I am not that man. My

honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing’s spoiled by giving them

this lie that were not rotten long before… I want my life… I will have my life…

Then who will judge me? God in Heaven, what is John Proctor, what is John

Proctor? I think it is honest, I think so; I am no saint.” (pp. 126-127)

These passages indicate that Proctor has come to see the truth. He has the freedom now,

to not give in to them, to let God judge him. “I think the tragic feeling is evoked in us

when we are in the presence of a character who is ready to lay down his life, if need be-

to secure one thing- his sense of personal dignity.”(Miller) Miller’s definition of tragedy

is a clear cut example of Proctor’s actions in “The Crucible.” Proctor realizes that his

confession to these people violated his freedom. He learned that we need to answer to

God and God only for forgiveness. The confession revoked Proctor’s dignity and his

freedom. Miller says, “Tragedy enlightens… in that it points the heroic finger at the

enemy of man’s freedom.” Proctor sees this and points a heroic finger at those people

who tried to take his freedom.

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