Elizabeth Proctor Sacrifice In The Crucible

Like most women living in the Puritan society of Salem, Massachusetts, Elizabeth Proctor was true to her husband and God. This, however, led to the downfall of the virtues she held closest to her: reputation and marriage. At the beginning of the play, she and her husband John Proctor were known as admirable members of society in Salem. As the play unfolds, Elizabeth and John become resounding examples of their judgments. When Elizabeth finds out that her husband has been having an affair with their servant Abigail Williams, she dismisses Abigail and her character traits begin to change through a variety of experiences.
Elizabeth still wants to believe she is living a perfect life. In Act III (page 113) Elizabeth states, “My husband is a good and righteous man. He is never drunk as some are, nor wastin' his time at the shovelboard, but always his work.” Abigail still loves John and wants Elizabeth out of the picture. This is shown when Elizabeth says, “She wants me dead, John, you know it!” (Act II page 60). She even sets up Elizabeth to be
When she first found out about the affair, she made John feel the guilt of the affair every day; but in the end she admits that deep within herself she knew all along that John’s affair with Abigail wasn’t completely his fault, and that she ‘kept a cold house.’ She does not just blame him for their marriage going wrong as she seemed to do earlier in the play, but instead she admits she is also capable of self-criticism. When she admitted this, she showed her loyalty and love for John, ultimately making up for treating him badly in the beginning of the play. An admirable character always ends up doing something good that overcomes the evil that the character previously exerted. I believe Elizabeth truly was able to overcome her anger and was able to make up for all her sins at the end of the play, thus making her one of the most admirable characters in the