You Are Truly Tested When Encountering Conflict

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‘Who we are is truly tested and proven when we encounter conflict’ It is intrinsically human to experience conflict; thus, we will all be forced to respond to conflict at various times and in various forms throughout the course of our lives. We all attempt to avoid or resolve conflict, whether it is a minor difference of opinion or as we have seen throughout history, an international war. A man can be defined on his ability to stand up in tough times of conflict, as Marther Luther King said “The true test of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort and convenience but where he stands in times of conflict and great strife.” Those who experience conflict are truly tested and the core of their characters brought into sharp focus as they make sense of their experiences and those of the people around them. “Some people achieve greatness, others are born great, and some have greatness thrust upon them”, so said President Roosevelt of the USA. In ordinary times, routine dominates. People rarely ‘break out of the mold’ society sets them in. However, in conflict, all normal bets are off. Each man and woman guides their own course according to their own values. In the crucible, John Proctor from the outset appears to be a hardworking, independent-thinking man. However, he is haunted “by the judge that sits in his heart” which reminds him of his past affair with Abigail. When Abigail maliciously pursues the townspeople and his wife, he decides that in order to rescue those from the court he must admit to the whole town his sins. This great test of honesty shows how a conflict can precipitate great changes in character. The audience is shown that fundamentally, John Proctor is an honest man. His final conviction not to testify against those already sentenced to die is the ultimate raising of intangible values over material wellbeing. He shows that keeping “one’s
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