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Sacrifices in The Crucible Social order is a fragile concept; the most extraneous of details can cause it to spiral into chaos. In The Crucible, the inhabitants of Salem, Massachusetts experience the unforgiving disruptance of social order. Many attempted to end the witch trials promptly to the start of them, but their sacrifices rendered futile. John Proctor, a farmer, was the only citizen of Salem whose sacrifice made a significant, positive, impact on the restoration of social order. In Act I, John Proctor and Abigail Williams had a conversation that state both engaged in sexual relations, making Abigail a harlot and Proctor an adulterer. Abigail, throughout the encounter, talks of Elizabeth Proctor as if she is the only one keeping John Proctor and herself from being together. As the intensity of the witch trails reach its climax, Elizabeth Proctor is accused of being a witch. When Cheever arrives to take Elizabeth to jail, Proctor inquires about the accuser, who happens to be Abigail Williams. John then tells Mary Warren, Abigail’s abettor, to testify against her. When this fails in court, Proctor sacrifices everything he owns, his name, his family’s reputation, and his life, by saying, “It is a whore!” (Act III, scene i). John Proctor admitted lechery in a prevailing attempt to call out Abigail on her pretense in seeing spirits and witches. Soon after this, John is arrested and Abigail is allowed freedom. Also, Reverend Hale denounces the proceedings of the court. The sacrifice made by Proctor made the puritan society of Salem, Massachusetts question the claims made by Abigail and her friends. When John Proctor accuses Abigail of harlotry, she is forced to run away to save herself from shame. The witch trials also end soon afterwards and social order starts its restoration process. The people of Salem once again start to trust each other and put away grudges of the past.