Valor in Darkness

Valor in Darkness

"Life's days may be numbered, but it is the consequences of your decisions that are infinite from now to the Heavens above."-DM. John Proctor roots his consequences into a complex web of lies and allows his guilty conscience to fester to the point where the only way to redeem his honor is by being a hero to others. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller develops John Proctor as the tragic hero who sacrifices his life for personal honor and provides that his independent thinking breaks the ideals of a theocracy and ushers in the Age of Reason.

Personal honor in the life of John Proctor can only be defined as the only thing he has after he is accused of witchcraft. According to Proctor when he cries out, "My honesty is broke!" (Film. Crucible) he views himself as a liar and dishonest man when he realizes the consequences of him committing the sin of adultery. In the official court hearing for John Proctor, he calmly asserts to Judge Danforth that, "I have known her, sir. I have known her... I have rung the doom of my good name" (Film. Crucible) Proctor is referring to his spouse Elizabeth and the fact she never lies. Ironically, she lies to the judge to save John Proctor, whom she still loves even after he commits adultery with Abigail. This degrades Proctor's honor for he is now not only seen as an adulterer but as a liar too. "It is not on a boat we'll meet again Abigail, but in hell." As Abigail pleads for John to escape the trials with her, Proctor replies that the next time he'll ever see her is in hell along with him. This exemplifies Proctor's respect in himself and how he believes his honor will never be restored and his reputation ever recovered. "A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face, and yours, Danforth!" (Act 3, Scene 2) Again, Proctor while trying to force Danforth to see the truth in these trails, conveyed that he isn't worthy to be a part of Heaven and will only be accepted by Lucifer in hell. His honor isn't worthy of the Heavens because Proctor doesn't think he himself is part of the elect, but because he hath sinned in the eyes of God. John Proctor declares that, "I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs." (Act 4, Scene 4) As Proctor tears apart his confession to save his name from being blackened, he finally forgives himself for his misdeeds and is ready to die as the tragic hero who broke the theocracy.

In addition to his personal honor, John Proctor's logic provides him with the wisdom to disprove the ideals of a theocracy and tempt Salem towards the Age of Reason. Upon Elisabeth's request of Proctor telling the court Abigail is a fraud, Proctor responds that he cannot because "She told it to me in a room