The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible develops characters that portray problems with their identities. This inner struggle is clearly seen in the main character John Proctor. He is the man Miller has chosen to struggle with “the dilemma of men, fallible, subject to pride, but forced to choose between the “negative good” of truth and morality, and the “positive good” of human life.” (Internet, Arthur Miller Home Page) In order for this character to develop, Miller had to create Proctors wife, Elizabeth. She would be the catalyst in making John Proctor deal with his inherent identity dilemma. With out her, Proctor would not be a central character, and would have never needed to deal with the inner morality of himself. Elizabeth Proctor makes her husband John the main character in The Crucible. In the character introduction we are told “He (John Proctor)was powerful of body, even tempered, and not easily led. The steady manner he displays does not spring from an untroubled soul. He is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own vision of decent conduct. Proctor, has come to regard himself as a fraud.” (2036) It is known in the play that John Proctor had an affair with Abigail, the accuser. Elizabeth knew all along that this was the case, and was very resentful towards John. But, she forgave him and took the blame on herself, that she was the cause because she was sick. “Your Honor, I—in that time I were sick. And I—My husband is a good and righteous man. He is never drunk as some are, nor wastin’ his time at the shovelboard, but always at his work. But in my sickness—you see, sir, I were a long time sick after my last baby, and I thought I saw my husband somewhat turning from me. And this girl--.” Therefor, Elizabeth is known to be an upstanding Christian citizen. She has never lied, and never would. We get the impression from the