Frequently in serious literature, one character assumes the role of the voice of reason. Who would you classify in this role after reading The Crucible?
After reading The Crucible, I would classify John Proctor as the voice of reason. When he is first introduced in Act 1 he is described as even-tempered and not easily led. I believe he displayed these characteristics throughout the play; he did not jump on the bandwagon and believe in witchcraft based off the words of a few teenaged girls. Instead of sitting idly by, he was willing to go against the court, something that had a good chance of not ending well, and ruin his reputation in order to save his wife and the wives of his friends. Even in the end, he ripped up his confession because he knew none of the other confessions were true either and he did not want his name associated with those who had lied. John Proctor always held to the believe that witches were not present in Salem, making him the voice of reason during this play.
I agree. Throughout the book, John barely moved from his beliefs. He did not want to lie and spent a significant amount of time in jail to pay. He wanted to save his kids and his wife. He constantly argued against the court, fighting for what he thought was right. He was a definite voice of reason throughout the play.
I do agree that John Proctor is the main voice of reason in the play, but I think that Giles Corey could be considered one as well. Although he is not as set in his beliefs in the beginning as Proctor, he eventually realizes the truth and helps Proctor and Francis Nurse to defend their wives. At one point, all three of the men could be considered a voice of reason.
I agree that John Proctor is a definite voice of reason throughout the play, but I also would like to add that Rebecca Nurse, although having played a significantly smaller part than Proctor, also remained steady and truthful throughout the entire plot. Like Proctor, she also refused to confess to witchcraft and condemn her fellow men just to save herself.
Although this does not directly answer the question, I notice that in Act 3 are actually contrary to what one would normally assume. While in the room outside the court, John Proctor, Giles Corey, and Francis Nurse are attempting to defend their wives before Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris. Under normal circumstances, Deputy Governor Danforth, Judge Hathorne, and Reverend Parris would be considered the "voices of reason", but, in this case they are not because they actually believe that witches have taken over Salem. Proctor, Corey, and Nurse would normally be thought of as untrustworthy because they are going against the court, a higher power. However, they are actually the ones who are thinking logically and considering every scenario that could explain why so many women are being accused.
I really like this connection. Today, the Deputy Governor would have been protecting the rights of the accused women and would have made sure people remembered they were innocent until proven guilty. In the play though, the court decided they were guilty and must confess before they could be released, or else be executed. Without those three men of the community standing up for what they believe, there is no telling how many people would have been accused and murdered based on the words of a few teenaged girls.
In the Crucible, John Proctor is the voice of reason. In the play, he uses his intelligence and ability to spot foolishness to try and save others even if it puts himself at risk. Also, John Proctor understands and accepts his faults. This helps him keep a clear view of what is happening in Salem. He sees that the girls are putting on an act and being manipulative. John Proctor is the main voice of reason because of his dedication to justice and his beliefs.
It definitely shows John's true character as he accepts his faults and how he faltered with his morals. I did not add that into my comment in this section but I see how this helps John be known as the voice of reason. He sticks to his morals and tries to expose the girls' lies to the citizens even though they are all in a panic. He stands his ground and that is what makes him the voice of reason.
John Proctor is undoubtedly the voice of reason in "The Crucible". It is he alone that possesses the unique quality of being far removed from the community proper; this provides him with a buffer zone between himself and the madness that consumes Salem during the trials. In combination with the risk that the trial's presented to his wife's life and his unusually non-religious persuasion, this separation leaves John as one of the most clear-headed individual in the story.
It is obvious that John Proctor is a voice of reason in the story. However, Reverend Hale may also be considered a voice of reason later on in the play. He sees that innocent people are being condemned and he tries to put a stop to it. He even tried to convince court officials to stop trials so as to allow for reconsideration and to truly question the morals of the girls who were "bewitched." So John Proctor is not the only voice of reason.
The voice of reason in The Crucible is Proctor. He is the one to let everyone know that the girls were the ones who created all the mischief and lied about the “witches of Salem”. He exposes the girls of their foolishness and has the sense of being able to see people for who they really are. John Proctor has morals. Because he is a Puritan he is faced with the difficulty with being “perfect” with these morals. Even though he makes the mistake of being faithful to his wife he comes clean and gives off an aura of sticking with his morals. There is a time where he explains to a greedy man named Parris that there is more to life than this greed that seems to be taking over the man’s life. He tries to set a good example of himself for the people of Salem. He stands his grounds with his beliefs. Especially the one of the girls causing trouble in Salem.
After reading The Crucible, I would classify John Proctor as the voice of reason. When he is first introduced in Act 1 he is described as even-tempered and not easily led. I believe he displayed these characteristics throughout the play; he did not jump on the bandwagon and believe in witchcraft based off the words of a few teenaged girls. Instead of sitting idly by, he was willing to go against the court, something that had a good chance of not ending well, and ruin his reputation in order to save his wife and the wives of his friends. Even in the end, he ripped up his confession because he knew none of the other confessions were true either and he did not want his name associated with those who had lied. John Proctor always held to the believe that witches were not present in Salem, making him the voice of reason during this play.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Throughout the book, John barely moved from his beliefs. He did not want to lie and spent a significant amount of time in jail to pay. He wanted to save his kids and his wife. He constantly argued against the court, fighting for what he thought was right. He was a definite voice of reason throughout the play.
DeleteI do agree that John Proctor is the main voice of reason in the play, but I think that Giles Corey could be considered one as well. Although he is not as set in his beliefs in the beginning as Proctor, he eventually realizes the truth and helps Proctor and Francis Nurse to defend their wives. At one point, all three of the men could be considered a voice of reason.
DeleteI agree that John Proctor is a definite voice of reason throughout the play, but I also would like to add that Rebecca Nurse, although having played a significantly smaller part than Proctor, also remained steady and truthful throughout the entire plot. Like Proctor, she also refused to confess to witchcraft and condemn her fellow men just to save herself.
DeleteAlthough this does not directly answer the question, I notice that in Act 3 are actually contrary to what one would normally assume. While in the room outside the court, John Proctor, Giles Corey, and Francis Nurse are attempting to defend their wives before Danforth, Hathorne, and Parris. Under normal circumstances, Deputy Governor Danforth, Judge Hathorne, and Reverend Parris would be considered the "voices of reason", but, in this case they are not because they actually believe that witches have taken over Salem. Proctor, Corey, and Nurse would normally be thought of as untrustworthy because they are going against the court, a higher power. However, they are actually the ones who are thinking logically and considering every scenario that could explain why so many women are being accused.
ReplyDeleteI really like this connection. Today, the Deputy Governor would have been protecting the rights of the accused women and would have made sure people remembered they were innocent until proven guilty. In the play though, the court decided they were guilty and must confess before they could be released, or else be executed. Without those three men of the community standing up for what they believe, there is no telling how many people would have been accused and murdered based on the words of a few teenaged girls.
DeleteIn the Crucible, John Proctor is the voice of reason. In the play, he uses his intelligence and ability to spot foolishness to try and save others even if it puts himself at risk. Also, John Proctor understands and accepts his faults. This helps him keep a clear view of what is happening in Salem. He sees that the girls are putting on an act and being manipulative. John Proctor is the main voice of reason because of his dedication to justice and his beliefs.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely shows John's true character as he accepts his faults and how he faltered with his morals. I did not add that into my comment in this section but I see how this helps John be known as the voice of reason. He sticks to his morals and tries to expose the girls' lies to the citizens even though they are all in a panic. He stands his ground and that is what makes him the voice of reason.
DeleteJohn Proctor is undoubtedly the voice of reason in "The Crucible". It is he alone that possesses the unique quality of being far removed from the community proper; this provides him with a buffer zone between himself and the madness that consumes Salem during the trials. In combination with the risk that the trial's presented to his wife's life and his unusually non-religious persuasion, this separation leaves John as one of the most clear-headed individual in the story.
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious that John Proctor is a voice of reason in the story. However, Reverend Hale may also be considered a voice of reason later on in the play. He sees that innocent people are being condemned and he tries to put a stop to it. He even tried to convince court officials to stop trials so as to allow for reconsideration and to truly question the morals of the girls who were "bewitched." So John Proctor is not the only voice of reason.
ReplyDeleteThe voice of reason in The Crucible is Proctor. He is the one to let everyone know that the girls were the ones who created all the mischief and lied about the “witches of Salem”. He exposes the girls of their foolishness and has the sense of being able to see people for who they really are. John Proctor has morals. Because he is a Puritan he is faced with the difficulty with being “perfect” with these morals. Even though he makes the mistake of being faithful to his wife he comes clean and gives off an aura of sticking with his morals. There is a time where he explains to a greedy man named Parris that there is more to life than this greed that seems to be taking over the man’s life. He tries to set a good example of himself for the people of Salem. He stands his grounds with his beliefs. Especially the one of the girls causing trouble in Salem.
ReplyDelete