The Salem community clearly respects John and considers him a very important town member. While he has many followers and admirers, the town is ignorant of his many sins. In a place where everybody lives under the guidance of god and makes every decision based on religion. John rarely attends church, he breaks one of the ten commandments (and forgets it later) and he didn't baptize one of his sons. In their community, Proctor would never be considered a hero, yet he has many people who support him and his every action.
When the witch trials begin, John is coaxed into going into Salem and disobeying his wife's wishes. Then, he makes his way into a situation where he has no jurisdiction, and tops it all off by having a private conversation with the very girl he had an affair with. It is impossible to consider someone who does commits so many intolerable acts a hero.
Finally, while Proctor finally does the right thing and tells the truth, he ends up getting hanged and doesn't solve anything. He goes down with a sobbing wife, a mistress who is rich living without him, and provides absolutely no solution to the problem. A hero saves the day, John Proctor did not.
You say that John Proctor is not a hero but instead a stooge because he committed a lot of wrong doings. Well, by that reasoning, Hercules should also be considered a stooge, and not a hero. I mean, he murdered his wife and kids. Just because someone made a lot of mistakes-and in this case there are quite a few-you don't think that they can be a hero in the end? John Proctor tried to bring the truth out to Salem. He tried to expose Abigail for her lies and tried to get everyone free from jail. A lot of heroes that we know of made a lot of mistakes, but in the end, they are still thought to be heroes. Examples are Nelson Mandela (look up his history) and Odysseus.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of how John Proctor wasn't a hero because he didn't save the day. I haven't really thought about it in that perspective and I think you have a very interesting view of the situation. Good job!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I think John Proctor was a hero, I do see your point of why he may be a stooge from your blog entry. He did make many mistakes, but I think in the end he became a hero when he would not confess to save his life, he tried to set an example for the court that he would not let this happen to his friends alone. I think he tried to be a good man in the end.
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