Pride In The Crucible
In the Christian faith or tradition, there are seven deadly sins that are considered the worst thing one can do, leading to that person’s downfall. Of all the sins, pride is considered the most negative character trait one can have. It is defined as; a deep pleasure derived from esteem in one’s own achievement, a super confidence and high esteem in one’s own abilities and inordinate vanity. Pride fools a person into thinking the source of greatness is only found within themselves. Pride considered to be the most negative attribute for the reason of being the key to all other deadly sins. All in all, pride corrupts the common good. In Arthur Miller’s “The Crucibles”, pride foreshadowed the the downfall of Salem. John Proctor, a well respected
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Proctor is well respected throughout the town of Salem because he did not attempt to blacken a person’s name no matter the situation. Towards the end of the play, Proctor must make a hard decision. Although his nobility and pride built up his reputation, it played a vital role in his downfall. His pride will not permit him to blacken his reputation in the village. Procter cites; “I have confessed myself. Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church. God sees my sins; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!... Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!... How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul, leave me my name” (Miller, 142-143). Proctor is not able to blacken his friend’s reputations as well as his own through pride, loyalty, and integrity. He does not want to be judged or mocked throughout the town. This action of pride results in Proctor’s death. A reputation is extremely important in a town as Salem, where social standing is most associated to one’s ability to follow religious rules. A good name is the only way a person can get even get a fair hearing during trials. It causes the accusers to second guess or doubt whom they have accused. Due to Proctor’s pride in his and his friend’s reputation, he chose to die rather than sign a false confession. According to a debate on Is Pride A Bad Thing?, “Pride is like a balloon, enveloping an individual. It is a form of self-deception, in that, no one else can inflate this balloon, except for the individual. This individual praises him- or herself, convincing his- or herself they are "good enough", which fills the balloon with hot air. The balloon rises and the individual feels good. Eventually, the balloon will burst and the individual will tumble down.” John Proctor’s balloon bursts as he refuses to sign. Although Proctor dies through pride, rather than losing reputation in the
Proctor is well respected throughout the town of Salem because he did not attempt to blacken a person’s name no matter the situation. Towards the end of the play, Proctor must make a hard decision. Although his nobility and pride built up his reputation, it played a vital role in his downfall. His pride will not permit him to blacken his reputation in the village. Procter cites; “I have confessed myself. Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church. God sees my sins; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!... Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!... How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul, leave me my name” (Miller, 142-143). Proctor is not able to blacken his friend’s reputations as well as his own through pride, loyalty, and integrity. He does not want to be judged or mocked throughout the town. This action of pride results in Proctor’s death. A reputation is extremely important in a town as Salem, where social standing is most associated to one’s ability to follow religious rules. A good name is the only way a person can get even get a fair hearing during trials. It causes the accusers to second guess or doubt whom they have accused. Due to Proctor’s pride in his and his friend’s reputation, he chose to die rather than sign a false confession. According to a debate on Is Pride A Bad Thing?, “Pride is like a balloon, enveloping an individual. It is a form of self-deception, in that, no one else can inflate this balloon, except for the individual. This individual praises him- or herself, convincing his- or herself they are "good enough", which fills the balloon with hot air. The balloon rises and the individual feels good. Eventually, the balloon will burst and the individual will tumble down.” John Proctor’s balloon bursts as he refuses to sign. Although Proctor dies through pride, rather than losing reputation in the