In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, the characters John Proctor and Reverend John Hale are both depicted as “good men”, although the interpretation of this term is unclear within the context of the play. Reverend John Hale can be considered a good man due to his embodiment of the ideals of an exemplary citizen in 17th-century Massachusetts. He maintains strong religious devotion, abides by community laws and beliefs, and embodies the qualities of a devoted Puritan Christian. Conversely, John Proctor lacks these attributes that would position him as a model citizen. His religiosity is less pronounced, his Christian faith lacks perfection, and he does not rigidly conform to the principles and convictions upheld by the Puritans.
Although he did not meet the ideal standards of a Puritan citizen, he was still considered a “good man” because of his personal attributes. These included honesty, morality, loyalty to his loved ones, and generosity. The crucial difference lies in contrasting being a good citizen with being a good person.
The dominant characteristic that demonstrates John Proctor’s goodness is his unwavering honesty. Throughout every scene he appears in, Proctor’s remarkable honesty is evident. Regardless of the consequences it may bring upon himself, Proctor firmly believes in “speaking his heart” (Miller, p.30).
Proctor’s honesty ultimately leads to his downfall and death. Initially, he exhibits his honesty by admitting his affair with Abigail and confessing the mistake to his wife Elizabeth. Moreover, Proctor’s honesty becomes apparent when he openly expresses his dislike for Reverend Parris, regardless of the consequences it brings upon him. In court, Proctor maintains his honesty by acknowledging his guilt of not being a devout Christian and confessing to plowing on Sundays as well as irregular church attendance. Furthermore, he admits to the adultery he engaged in with Abigail. The pinnacle of Proctor’s unwavering honesty occurs while facing execution, as he refuses to confess and opts for death over falsehood.
Proctor’s morality and loyalty contribute to his character as a good person. Despite his wife being accused of witchcraft, he remains by her side and takes action to protect her, such as tearing up the arrest warrant, even at the risk of his own arrest. He asserts his strictness to the law officer, demanding that his wife be left alone, saying, “you’ll leave her out of sight and out of mind, mister!” (p.74). He openly curses the deputy governor, expressing his anger by exclaiming, “Damn the deputy governor! Out of my house!” (p.77). Proctor’s actions shows his willingness to make sacrifices for the well-being of his family rather than prioritize his own interests.
Although Proctor was considered a good man, he did not fully embody the qualities of a devout Puritan Christian. He deviated from expected religious practices by not regularly attending church and by breaking the Sabbath through his plowing activities. In addition, he committed adultery, which violated one of the ten commandments. The narrator refers to him as “a sinner against the moral fashion of time” (p. 20). Proctor also expressed doubts about the existence of witches in their community, stating, “I have wondered if there be witches in the world -although I cannot believe they come among us now” (p. 69). This belief contradicts Puritan ideology and Reverend Hale takes note of it. Furthermore, Proctor lacked trust in the court system and ignored an official court warrant.
John Hale, a pious Puritan and reverend, strongly believed in the importance of attending church and condemned those who missed a day of worship or engaged in plowing on the Sabbath. With expertise in witchcraft, he shared the belief of his fellow Puritans in the existence of witches and was determined to expose and crush any who dared to practice it. Hale had unwavering faith in the court system and confidently assured Francis that his wife would be sent home if she was innocent, unable to fathom any injustice within the court. Despite being shocked by Elizabeth’s disbelief in witches, Hale remained steadfast in his devotion to his Puritan values.
The defining characteristics of a good Puritan are exemplified by Reverend John Hale, while the traits of a good person are embodied by John Proctor. Despite both being good in their own ways, Proctor faced hatred and a death sentence from the Puritan society. In contrast, Hale’s moral integrity is questionable, as his pride and interference in others’ lives led to numerous downfalls. Believing himself to be clever enough to solve the witch problem, Hale inadvertently prompts Abigail and the girls to accuse witches, resulting in trouble for the Proctors. By considering Francis’s suspicions of reading books, he also brings trouble upon Rebecca Nurse. Many innocent members of the community are unjustly condemned as witches due to his actions, leading to their demise and that of their husbands. Ultimately, Hale loses respect and becomes despised by almost everyone in the community.
