John Proctor is a man who lives an ethical, principled life. But his
life is haunted by one grave mistake: his affair with Abigail Williams. His
guilt about his misdeed results in moral questions he must answer for
himself. The Salem Witch trials played a huge role in helping him answer
these questions, but at a high price. Procter's main trouble during the
course of the play is within himself, in the doubting of his own goodness.
He succeeds in solving his trouble through the refusal to blacken his name
by falsely confessing to having a pact with the Devil. His questioning of
his own humanly goodness is reflected in his relationship with his wife,
Elizabeth, his relationship with himself, and his relationship with his
Miller shows Proctor's inner conflict in his use of Proctor's
relationship with his Elizabeth in which his guilt stems from and is
centered around. Elizabeth is an extraordinarily principled woman who
consistently supports ethical ways of living. It is clear that she had not
entirely forgiven him for his adulterous affair until his decision to give
his life in exchange for his assertion of the truth, that he had not seen
the devil. Reverend Hale disagrees with his decision and asks Elizabeth to
plead with Proctor, but Elizabeth retorts with: "He has his goodness now.
God forbid I take it away from him," showing that she has finally forgiven
him. She believes him to be a good man.
Proctor's inner conflict is also displayed through Miller's use of
Proctor's relationship with himself. The significant self-laceration which
John Proctor undergoes while struggling to make his choice is convincing
because it is flawlessly in character. Proctor asserts his human frailty
and vulnerability multiple times throughout the play. When interrogated by
Hale about his dedication to the church and knowledge of the 10
commandments, Proctor inadvertently forgets one commandment: "Thou sha...