Theme Of Forgiveness In The Crucible

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No one can define the true meaning of a perfect marriage. There is always arguments, bickering, and, when it is all over, forgiveness. This same relationship situation goes on in Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible. The protagonist, John Proctor, and his wife Elizabeth suffer a lot, and in most instances one more than the other. A few of the situations where they suffer most is the problem with adultery, having to deal with the hurt of being in jail, and the ultimate decision of life or death. One of the first people the play introduces is John Proctor. He is a husband to Elizabeth Proctor, father of two young boys, the tender of his family farm, and an owner of one deep dark secret. Proctor’s hometown of Salem resides a reverend, Parris,…show more content…
While in jail John is given the chance to sign his name for all in the town to see and he has to admit to doing the devils work. If he signs the paper and shows the entire town of Salem he is guilty to practicing the Devils work then his name will be looked down upon, his sons will not be able to find good jobs, and his farm will go to waste. Looking in the other direction, though, if John is to not sign the paper and take the ultimate punishment of being hanged Elizabeth will face many hardships. She will have to get a job, support her two boys, including the baby on the way, and learn how to run the farm. No matter what way John chooses there is going to be guilt, regret, and consequences. After John decides that losing his family name is not an option, and will be hanged instead, many of his close friends try to stop him, but surprisingly Elizabeth does not. Right before his hanging she says, “‘He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him’” (145)! Here Elizabeth is well aware how much it is hurting and how hard it will be without him, but the one thing she will not do is take away his dignity. A critic of The Crucible, Christopher Bigsby, writes that, “John Proctor rediscovers his integrity and in doing so potentially redeems his society” (Bigsby). Throughout all of the hurt still Elizabeth has to plan ahead and realize what is coming, but John has a much…show more content…
All she goes through is added on top of his situations, thus making him experience twice as much. It is not an easy task taking on three guilt’s for anyone, and John’s ending decision shows truly how hard it really

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