The Crucible Argumentative Essay
Crucible Argument Essay
People have different perspectives of the importance of life. Some believe there are some things worth dying for in life such as faith, legacy, friends, and family. Some believe that life is too precious to sacrifice. John Proctor believed that his life was worth sacrificing and he chose to die in The Crucible. Though the character of Proctor is often praised for his integrity, is he helping his family by dying? His wife, sons, and unborn child will have to make it in the world without him. This is not an instance that would ultimately be worth dying for. What has John accomplished by dying? It seems as if the Salem witch trials have gotten the better of him and he has given up. Although he may have forgiven himself and been forgiven by his wife, there was not enough at stake for John to sacrifice his life. John even says, “I want my life” (Miller 127). There are some things that are worth dying for, however, in John Proctor’s case, life was not worth sacrificing.
John’s choice to die can be seen as a selfish act. He chose his own sanctity over his family. He had young children to raise and he deserted them. Elizabeth and the kids need John’s protection. The unborn child is going to grow up without ever meeting his father. The baby will never get to know his (or her) daddy. So why does John choose to hang? Perhaps he wanted to die with some of his dignity intact. He knew he had already made a big sin with the affair with Abigail. However, Elizabeth forgave John for that. He should have taken that forgiveness and moved on with his life. Sure he may have made some mistakes but the biggest mistake he made was to choose to die. His family will suffer for it. In a time when his family needed him to be strong, he failed them. This makes us think, what is worth dying for? Christian martyrs are recognized as saints for a reason. They gave up their life for their faith. They made the ultimate sacrifice to God. Faith is something that is worth
People have different perspectives of the importance of life. Some believe there are some things worth dying for in life such as faith, legacy, friends, and family. Some believe that life is too precious to sacrifice. John Proctor believed that his life was worth sacrificing and he chose to die in The Crucible. Though the character of Proctor is often praised for his integrity, is he helping his family by dying? His wife, sons, and unborn child will have to make it in the world without him. This is not an instance that would ultimately be worth dying for. What has John accomplished by dying? It seems as if the Salem witch trials have gotten the better of him and he has given up. Although he may have forgiven himself and been forgiven by his wife, there was not enough at stake for John to sacrifice his life. John even says, “I want my life” (Miller 127). There are some things that are worth dying for, however, in John Proctor’s case, life was not worth sacrificing.
John’s choice to die can be seen as a selfish act. He chose his own sanctity over his family. He had young children to raise and he deserted them. Elizabeth and the kids need John’s protection. The unborn child is going to grow up without ever meeting his father. The baby will never get to know his (or her) daddy. So why does John choose to hang? Perhaps he wanted to die with some of his dignity intact. He knew he had already made a big sin with the affair with Abigail. However, Elizabeth forgave John for that. He should have taken that forgiveness and moved on with his life. Sure he may have made some mistakes but the biggest mistake he made was to choose to die. His family will suffer for it. In a time when his family needed him to be strong, he failed them. This makes us think, what is worth dying for? Christian martyrs are recognized as saints for a reason. They gave up their life for their faith. They made the ultimate sacrifice to God. Faith is something that is worth
Cited: Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York: the Penguin Group, 1995. Print. “St. Stephen.” Catholiconline. Web. 9 Oct. 2013.