The Crucible Case

The old saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover, you never know whats inside" comes into play daily as we judge people mostly without chance given to counterprove the judgement passed. Although when a character lays down actions that support the judgement, it becomes harder to believe that character is truly dynamic. In Arthur Millers, "The Crucible", a few characters can be labeled as 'dynamic'. Mr. Proctor, or John Proctor, is one these dynamic characters. At first he seems a bit antagonistic, but as the play progresses he shows color and becomes a large character and important to the plot. John Proctor is a dynamic character certainly because he appears atagonistic, grows to be sensible and ends up a tragic hero.

In the beginning of the play, John Proctor doesn't rub off on the reader well. Miller leads off with a previous affair when Abigail proclaims, "...You clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I come near!...you loved me then and you do now!(Miller, 22)". This gives a Proctor an immoral, sinner type of personality right of the bat. At the time it was vital to be pure, hence the term Puritan. Proctor, though, was actually a good man. If word that he had an affair with Abigail would ruin his hard-working, proud reputation. John Proctor admits his affair to the reader when he says, "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. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched Abby. (Miller, 23)". This keeps in mind that he may have done wrong and sinned but he feels guilt and sorrow. He knows it could ruin his good reputation along with a relationship with his wife, Elizabeth Proctor.

The second act brings us to Proctor finding himself feeling judged and untrusted by his wife. Word gets to the Proctors, from Mary Warren a servant, that Goody Proctors name was brought up in the trial. Elizabeth is convinced that it was abigail who accused her. Soon after, the town marshall arrives with a warrant to arrest Goody Proctor, enraged John asks Mary to testify. This is where John becomes sensible; in trial against the girls, John not being able to bear the thought of losing his wife to the trial, calls Abigail a whore and confesses, "I have known her, sir. I have known her (Miller, 110)". This is a rather sensible act; he threw away his reputation to save his wife. Not to mention he