The Crucible

In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the defined role of the tragic hero is portrayed by this story’s protagonist, John Proctor, who struggles with his ability to protect his dignity after failing to maintain his honor. Amongst a witch hunt within 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, residents of this village individually respond to the injustice of witchcraft accusations. Through the character of John Proctor, Arthur Miller suggests that, in the face of injustice, self respect is only possible if an individual’s personal integrity supersedes his public reputation. Throughout the play, Proctor’s relation with those he associates with correlate to his self-worth. An honourable man as viewed from the village loses his self-respect as he becomes all he despises, therefore redemption of his reputation is granted as he exemplifies his integrity with the use of honesty, regaining lost self-respect.  
With an honorable and proud prestige, Proctor’s self-respect influence his friends’ and neighbours’ dignity. Initially, aspects of his public image and reputation among those of his village establish his sense of character and well known ethical persona. While inspiring individuals such as Francis Nurse and Giles Corey, they subsequently seek for his advice sequentially, respecting Proctor through a form of hierarchy as much as he respects himself. The reputation constructed by Proctor goes as far as to intimidate his neighbours. Specifically Parris, for as Proctor deems him as a fool who “felt his foolishness instantly,” (page 20) as a result from his selfish protection. With diminished toleration for Parris, Proctor associates his “sharp and biting way with hypocrites,” (page 20), otherwise defined his most notable annoyance, with the other. “Proctor, respected and even feared in Salem,” (page 20) establishes his charismatic notoriety through presumptuous self-assurance, causing those around him to be inspired.
Proctor’s lechery with Abigail Williams challenges his earned reputation...