Proctor's Tragic Flaw

[macanno35]

In class we discussed how Aurthur Miller wanted John Proctor to be viewed as a tragic hero throughout play. As many of you may know, a tragic hero needs a defining flaw that eventually leads to his/her downfall. What do you believe was Proctor's true, defining flaw and how did it affect his downfall?

[alschwe35]

In my opinion, Proctor's true defining flaw is his pride. It was hard enough to admit his affair to the court in order to help save his wife's life. But it can also be debated whether or not lust is his true flaw because if it wasn't for the lust felt towards Abby it would have never impacted the whole witch hysteria that affected he and his family in that way.

[ricarey38]

I think it depends on whether one thinks his downfall was having an affair with Abby or not confessing. I think that his downfall was not saving himself when he had the chance. I do respect him for not giving in and confessing to something that was not true, but I think he should have protected himself. All he had to do was sign a piece of paper that would have allowed him to live. There remains a possibility that he could have proved himself when he was removed from death row. He was too prideful, which prevented him from making the (in my opinion) smarter choice. I also see his decision to not sign as slightly selfish, as he left behind his family.

[makoval38]

I agree, I believe that Proctor's defining flaw is his pride. In Act two, he had a chance to bring down Abigail and save his wife from going to trial if he told about his affair with Abigail. This eventually brings him down in Act three when Proctor tells Danforth that he has "known her," (Miller, 110), and when they brought in Elizabeth to verify this fact, Elizabeth knew that Proctor was a very proud man and would never tell the court about his affair and therefore dooming him on page 113 by saying that he had never had an affair when i t was crucial that she tell the truth

[katower35]

I also agree, Proctor's tragic flaw is his excess of pride. In act two, Elizabeth urges Proctor to go to Salem and expose Abigail's lies. Proctor refuses, saying that "the girl's a saint now" and there is no proof to his claim. Elizabeth questions, "if it were not Abigail that you must go hurt, would you falter now" (54). Even Elizabeth knows that her husband is not willing to risk the town finding out about his secret affair with Abigail because of his pride.