The Crucible - Book Report/Review Example

John Proctor in “The Crucible” “The Crucible” is a very interesting story in the sense that it makes use of the feelings of guilt and moral dilemmas as the reasons for turning points that are obvious throughout the story. All along the story, the characters are subjected to conditions where more than one path can be chosen as an option; a path of immoral nature or a path full of difficulties but the one which is morally correct. There also are points in the story where the characters are depicted to display being affected by guilty feelings and in turn changing their course of life.

The choice between the honorable and dishonorable becomes increasingly difficult as the story progresses; largely due to the contact of characters with the society and its customs. Misfortune challenges the moral standards of the characters and at times it appears that the only way to success for these characters is choosing the right path; which most of them learn slowly and with the passage of time. An example of such character is that of John Proctor who faces moral difficulties throughout the novel; is faced with the condition of choosing one out of two paths; and as a result shows big change in his characters all along the story.

John Proctor’s character shows a transition from one state to another throughout the different incidents that take place during the story. In the start, he is shown as an honest man, who has a strong character and is not easily misguided by others in the society. He has a habit of standing tough against the difficulties of life. Additionally, he has a strong built which makes his personality appear dominant over majority of the people in the society. His always forgives others and avoids anger at any cost.

As the story advances, the darker side of his character starts to appear. Most of the people around him are unaware of the scandalous nature of life that John Proctor leads. His relationship with his wife is very unsatisfactory due to the fact that he had unlawful relationship with a teenage servant who served them. His wife has no respect for him therefore and it is due to this reason that John Proctor is not satisfied with his own life. He is crushed between the respect that society gives him and the disrespect that his wife shows for him.

When witchcraft allegations are laid against his family, a totally new angle of his personality is discovered. Although his wife has disliked him for his ill deeds; he yet loves her deeply and when warrants for arrest of his wife are sent, he tears them apart with anger. His conscious guides him to do the good to help his loved ones, but perhaps the time is not right then to make the correction. His character which is previously calm and friendly suddenly changes and becomes violent and hard.

His character therefore takes the form of a crucible which can tolerate continuous heating to a certain level and not beyond that. Extensive heating due to unfavorable circumstances causes him to burst, as he tries to gain back what he has lost in life; however, the time has passed by then and no corrections could be made.