Character Analysis: John Proctor

1.         John Proctor would be identified as major character. John plays a major role in the play, but the work isn't focused around him like it is focused around the so-called witches. John major role in the play would definitely be the connection between him, Elizabeth, and Abigail. After John's affair with Abigail, Abigail wants Elizabeth dead so she can be with John. With Abigail being part of the "witchcraft" she is able to accuse Elizabeth of witchcraft to try and split her and John up and John is caught in the middle but caring for his wife much more then anything Abigail says. John would also be classified as round. This means that John's character shows more than one side. In Act I John was a down to earth hard working farmer who showed no belief in the the accusations of witchcraft and had slowly started to drift away from the church. Even through all this John showed the same behavior throughout until consulting with Abigail outside. John then had a new side to his character which carries into Act II. This new side was a very short worded, angry man who doesn’t like to talk much. He brings a sense of cockiness or a sense that he doesn't have to explain himself to anyone even despite of his faults. John also shows a more caring side too when Elizabeth is accused and taken from the home.

 2.         John Proctor possesses several unique person qualities. The first quality is privacy. John in a sense acts like an introvert about his feelings. He keeps things very quiet and does not stur things up. He acts as if he wants no one to know what he is feeling and does not express anything except anger. John never really expressed how much he cared about Elizabeth. He only showed anger on how mad he was about this witchcraft phenomenon. John is forced to act in this manner because if he acted in a more open manner people would find out about his affair with Abigail. Another quality John expresses is leadership. John is not a real popular leader by any means but in an undiscovered sense John stands up for his rights and gives his opinion which really makes people respects him like Giles. In Act I when Betty is "bewitched," Giles is one of the first ones there wanting to see this phenomenon until John comes and kind of brings Giles back to his senses and John leaves. Then in Act II when some of the men’s' wives get taken, they immediately go to John's house to consult with him about this. This shows that John is more like an undefined leader that everyone respects.

 3.         There are really two major conflicts that John is faced with during the play. This first is man vs. man, John vs. Abigail. John is faced with Abigail potentially accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft and getting taken to court. Since Abigail has all the authority in Salem, John is trying to keep Abigail quiet so everyone doesn’t find out about the affair but yet he has to try and keep Abigail from accusing Elizabeth which she does. John is not allowed to overcome this conflict because Abigail has complete authority. The other conflict that John is faced with now is man vs. himself. Now that Elizabeth has been accused, John is now faced with a decision to try and save Elizabeth by telling of the affair or to keep quiet to keep himself looking good in the society. If John would tell, he could use it as an unfair evidence towards Abigail and get his wife free, but if tells of the affair he would most likely go to jail due to his poor behavior. John is faced with a tough decision.