The Crucible - Essay Example

of Abigail’s character, its far more revealing of Proctor’s because it shows he is unwilling to tell the court about his affair with Abigail as a means of discrediting her testimony. This dichotomy between Proctor’s stolid self and his internal dilemma constitute the central conflict he faces throughout the play. Later in the text Proctor changes his stance on this issue admitting, “I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat! But it is a whore’s vengeance” (Miller, pg. 49). Here Proctor has drastically shifted perspectives as he has finally admitted his affair. Miller uses this central conflict and change as a means of communicating to the reader ethical and moral questions surrounding Proctor and the narrative; it’s an important change as it holds potential ramifications for the trial. Ultimately, it’s clear that Proctor experiences significant change as he faces increased challenges from the town. Towards the play’s conclusion Proctor experiences his most significant changes. As Proctor increasingly becomes the object of accusations he breaks down shouting, “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” (Miller, pg. 53). Here Proctor is responding to accusations from Danforth. The statement indicates that Proctor has gone from calm and objective to angry and hysterical. Proctor is placed in jail and Elizabeth visits him before he is to be hanged; he states to her, “I have given you my soul, leave me my name!” (Miller, pg. 57). While Proctor is still upset in this statement, it also demonstrates that he has achieved a level of piece with his upcoming death. In these regards, Proctor shifts to angry denial to death with integrity.