Davis 1Lacey DavisMartin 1The Crucible Essay2, April 2014Reputation of a good man.John Proctor, the man most considered the protagonist of the book: The Crucible. In the past, shortly after the play began, Proctor was free from the affairs he had conducted. He had a good life, a loving wife, two sons and a healthy farm. He was a respectable member of the Salem community and, more importantly, he respected himself. Everything went south when Proctor had an affair with Abigail Williams, who was 17 at the time. John had committed adultery, and this shameful encounter erased his most precious possession: his self-respect. Holding a straight but blunt description, we see John Proctor first in the room when he enters shortly after Abigail, Mercy, and Mary discuss the events. from the day before. Soon after, he orders Mary to return home, and after Mercy escapes due to the Proctor's presence, he and Abigail are left alone. Abigail immediately brings up her "relationship" with Proctor, and how she waits for him at night, he solemnly states, "Abby, I can think sweetly of you from time to time. But I'll cut my hand off before I can." catch it again. Erase it from your mind. We never touch, Abby. "John wishes to forget his sin, he is ashamed of it and makes it clear that he does not want to repeat such an incident in the future. He is locked in guilt and the emotional weight of the play rests on Proctor's quest to find his self-image lost, his goodness lost. He is strongly attached to his wife, Elizabeth, and is determined to avoid any further contact with Abigail. Unfortunately, Abigail cannot just brush off what is happening so easily. he did and still tries very hard to please... middle of paper... on his path to redemption, to save his life, he is tempted to admit that he is indeed in cahoots. with the Devil But if this were done, he would lie terribly and also blacken the names of all the other prisoners who refused to give in. When John is asked to sign his name, he refuses to put his name on. paper is simply too much. By signing his name, he would have given up his soul. Even if he would have saved her life, his kindness would have been forever beyond his reach. "...You have created your magic now, for now I think I see an ounce of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to protect it from those dogs...."With this final valiant act, John Proctor achieves a sort of peace with himself. John Proctors transcends shame to redemption is what forms the story of The Crucible..