When
Arthur Miller sways the audience to sympathize for John Proctor I understood
the concept. Of course, adultery is frowned upon for both of the adulterers,
but it makes you think of what Abigail is capable of. John Proctor being
involved is bad, but his confession was made to try and strengthen the trust
between him and the Salem Judges. Everyone believes in these “Christian” women,
thinking that their sleights are spotless. Little do they know these girls have
the entire town fooled, entrusting every accusation made against the townsfolk.
Proctor came clean so that the Judges would know that Abigail can’t be trusted;
by admitting to his sin he hopes to show everyone else in the town that he can
be trusted.
Of
course my sympathy lies with John Proctor, and the entire village. All of the
harm and death caused by this girl why should Abigail be praised? Proctor came
clean, but his doing so did not help much because of his “never-lying” wife.
Although Mrs. Proctor did not tell the judges the truth, it was in good
reasoning; she was trying to save her husband and in turn ruined him in this
critical moment. Even Hale could see that was the case.
