John And Elizabeth Procter's Relationship Essay

1065 words - 5 pages

‘Discuss the changes in the relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor in the course of the play’

In the Crucible John Proctor and Elizabeth’s relationship changes a lot. At the start it is awkward and tender. Their conversations are of nothing interesting and they are clearly avoiding the ‘elephant in the room’, which is John’s affair with Abigail. However, by the end of Act 2, when Elizabeth is accused, John is constantly trying to protect her from being taken by Hale and Cheever and Herrick. They also back each other up constantly, making sure that neither of them falls into the trap of being able to be accused of being a witch because of what they say.
As the play ...view middle of the document...

They are avoiding the subject because they both feel guilty about the situation. John feels guilty because he is the one who committed the adultery whereas Elizabeth feels guilty because she feels that she wasn’t a good enough wife to John. Because of their guilt, both John and Elizabeth try to please the other one. John offers to ‘buy George Jacob’s Heifer’ and when he compliments her stew she ‘blushes with pleasure’. Although the Heifer and the stew are gifts to appease their guilt they are both ask whether it would ‘please’ the other one. This tells us that they are both unsure of each other and shows us that if they don’t know what pleases the other one then they either don’t know each other very well or they are so guilty about the affair that the both have become unsure of themselves around the other. I believe that it is the latter.

Although, however cautious and unsure of each other when they are together, when one of them is in trouble the other will instantly spring to their side. When Cheever, Herrick and Hale come to arrest Elizabeth, John comes to her side and defends her as much as he can by asking questions for proof, ‘On what proof, what proof?’ and by threatening Cheever, ‘Out with you’ ‘Out of my house!’ This shows that he still loves Elizabeth as he is fighting to keep her and not to let them take her. We can also tell this from the way he reacts to her being taken at the end and how he turns on Mary Warren and forces her into trying to save Elizabeth. ‘You’re coming to the court with me, Mary. You will tell in it in the court’. Also when Mary Warren mentions John’s affair he has a ‘deep hatred of himself’. This tells us that he despises what he did with Abby and probably wishes that he could turn the clock back and...

Characters In The Crucible Essay

1713 words - 7 pages John and Elizabeth Proctor lived in Salem, in a house that was isolated from the village. They had 2 children, 2 sons. Elizabeth was rather cold and austere, and John was a lively, cheerful man. The family used to have a servant, Abigail Williams. Before the story starts, John and Abigail were lovers. But one day, Elizabeth had discovered what was going on and she had dismissed Abigail. However, Abigail was madly in love with John

Socratic Seminar Essay

873 words - 4 pages . Abigail on the other hand is kind of a devious character that lies quite a bit to everyone. Both characters in the story have a relationship with John Proctor. Elizabeth being his wife and Abigail being Proctor’s mistress. After Elizabeth discovers that her husband was having an affair with Abigail, Goody Proctor set Abby out on the highway. Abigail and Elizabeth are both jealous of one another. Abigail has fallen in love with John and is

The Crucible 10

621 words - 3 pages The Crucible deals with witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts which shows utter chaos and hysteria in the town. Many were accused of witchcraft and died because of lies. Elizabeth Proctor was one of many who were accused. She was accused by Abigail Williams, the person whom Elizabeth fired for cheating with her husband, John Proctor. John was a well respected farmer in Salem, who was outraged when Elizabeth was arrested for accusations of

Good Traits in the Crucible Compare and Contrast

917 words - 4 pages husband’s name, John Proctor, Elizabeth made a loving decision which resulted in his allegation against Abigail as a whore to be dismissed. While in the court, Proctor decides to finally reveal his affair with Abigail to discredit her and her accusations of witchcraft against innocent people. To prove this, Elizabeth was called in to verify the affair. Only, her testimony was not the right answer: DANFORTH: Answer my question! Is your husband a lecher

The Crucible

1304 words - 6 pages work. However, a challenge arose to Abigail when she decided to accuse Elizabeth Proctor, and eventually her husband John, of witchcraft. The Proctor marriage was not just any simple marriage; it had its times of cold shoulders, heartfelt truth, and undying love. Indeed, Abigail had a strong motive for charging Elizabeth with evil divination. Seven months before the play takes place, Abigail and John had an affair while Abigail was working as a

Love Theme in Frankenstein

1377 words - 6 pages point where all the story ties up. Also it should be mentioned that after Caroline’s death, Victor places his adopted sister Elizabeth to his mother’s situation. Elizabeth was raised up by Caroline, and after her death she took over her positions in the house such as controlling and managing the household and taking care of newborn William. Victor and Elizabeth’s change of relationship status can be interpreted as a transfer of Victor’s love for

Appearance vs. Reality

1331 words - 6 pages regarding his relationship with Wickham and provides verifiable information to substantiate his character. Not only does he prove that he did not act maliciously towards Mr. Wickham, but he also explains that he never had any intent to hurt Elizabeth’s sister Jane. He explained that he was not confident that Jane truly loved Mr. Bingley and was only looking out for a good friend. After reading and rereading this letter, Elizabeth reevaluates her previous

Crucible Essay

769 words - 4 pages man, even Elizabeth says that he is a good man. Abigail: I saw Goody Hawkins with the Devil! Betty: I saw Goody Bibber with the Devil! Abigail: I saw Goody Booth with the Devil! (Miller 48) In the beginning, Elizabeth Proctor acted very cold and unresponsive towards her husband, John Proctor, and has not forgiven him for his affair with Abigail Williams. Elizabeth felt that she needed to be cold and heartless because her husband had already

Pride and Prejudice

934 words - 4 pages tempt meâ€ (13). Elizabeth quickly concludes that he is a very disagreeable man, though that does not stop her from making witty comments and observations to him in a civil manner. Her initial impression makes her totally unaware that Darcy is showing some partiality to her. For a long time, Elizabethâ€™s negative impressions about him prevent the two from coming to any sort of understanding, and any relationship between them is doubtful--if

Why Were Puritans Perceived a Threat in the Elizabethan Period

1273 words - 6 pages ‘Admonition to Parliament’ was published. It was a biting attack on the Church, criticizing its structure and doctrine for their continuing links with Catholic practices. The ‘Second admonition to Parliament’ was published later in the year. Elizabeth imprisoned the authors, John Field and Thomas Wilcox and Puritan printing presses were destroyed and bishops were ordered to enforce uniformity. Elizabeth’s imprisonment of the authors and her abolishment of

Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice

1611 words - 7 pages Charlotte is “not much interested in men and very much interested in marriage” (Moler, 26). Elizabeth could have ruined the prospects of Charlotte’s marriage because of her self-importance in the way she misinterprets her friend’s romantic needs. Elizabeth who goes through much agonizing distress in her relationship with Darcy ultimately admits that she had a lack of self -knowledge and clouded judgment due to excessive pride. Elizabeth cries out

How Does Miller Portray The Relationship Between John And Elizabeth Proctor In Act 2?

660 words - 3 pages relationship and he uses juxtaposition to create the sense of damage in their marriage and the barrier between them. The speech between Elizabeth and John is very different. John uses long sentences, many of them questions and Miller shows how he is trying to open up conversation with Elizabeth, but Miller uses very short, clipped sentences in her language to convey the difference in their emotions and how they feel about each other. Miller shows John as

Stage Directions In The Crucible Essay

536 words - 3 pages defensive and even gets a rude attitude about him. Elizabeth tries to get the answers out of her husband, but “[fears] to anger him by prodding” (p. 1269). The reader can tell that the couple’s relationship is strained, and it is mostly due to a lack of trust. Since John’s affair, it is as if “Her back is turned to him. He turns to her and watches her” (p. 1268). Elizabeth tries not to let John see that she doubts him, but she is extremely suspicious of

Influences On The Tragic Flaw The Crucible

1168 words - 5 pages gets up, goes to her kisses her. She receives it with a certain disappointment he returns to the table” (48) John is trying to make Elizabeth happy, because he hurt her and he’s trying to make up for it and get things back to how they used to be. She takes the kiss she got from him as a disappointment, like she didn’t really care about it. When she gives this impression after John kisses her, it shows John that the relationship is still not what it

How Deos Arthur Miller Create Tension At The Beggining Of Act 2

1367 words - 6 pages preparing, he is displeased with it so seasons it. This appears at first perfectly normal and harmless to the audience, however when John hears Elizabeth coming downstairs he jumps away from the stove and proceeds to wash his hands. It becomes obvious to the audience at this point that their relationship is so strained that John racked with guilt about his affair with Abigail avoids doing anything at all which might aggravate or offend Elizabeth