The Crucible: Elizabeth Proctor

The Crucible:Elizabeth Proctor

Out of all the characters,in my opinion, Elizabeth is the best character in the cast in the Crucible. She was a faithful wife, a good mother, and strong in her faith/religion. Even though her husband cheated on her she still remained faithful to him. Sure she was depressed about it, but what woman wouldn't be when she has discovered her partner has cheated on her? While she was sick no less, the time John should have been most faithful! She could've cheated on him, tell the town of the affair between her husband and Abigail. But instead kept inside, in order to try and keep her family and her marriage intact. This shows she's not really a woman to follow the whole 'and eye for an eye' idea.
One thing I admire about her, is her attitude. She doesn't stall; she's straight forward and gets to the point. If she doesn't believe you, she'll tell you so. And if you're a harlot, such as Abigail, she will tell you right then and there. Clearly everyone in the town respects her to some noticeable degree, and she clearly had a good name amongst the town, since she has never lied.
When the whole town was going to madness, each girl calling out more witnesses of who had written in the Devil's book, she was one of the few to actually think on the situation and doubt the children on their lies. Not to mention she was not selfish such as Reverend Paris, for she did not get involved in the ordeal and falsely claim others. And I'm fairly certain there was at least one person who'd she would want to get rid of.
Another example of her is that she's not afraid to speak out against the girls, most of all Abigail, on their foolish lies. She knows the town has gone insane when they arrest Rebbecca Sugar, the most purist and faithful woman in town. Elizabeth knows her true intentions and isn't afraid to call out her opinion, fact really, about Abigail. Though in this time of panic no one really took her word. Instead they used it against her at one point. Mark this, proving the town is going past their own judgment in their newfound fear of the Devil .
Again, It is clear she had strong faith in her God, since she had no fear when they arrested her. It's truly something I can admire, since I have no religious beliefs, to see a person be so faithful that they have little fear for what may face them. Of course she must've been more than a little scared, but I'm sure her faith overpowered her doubt and fear for what her God may have in store for herself as well as the town.
When she was called to have her word about Abigail and her husband, she could've told the truth about what happened between Abigail and John. Letting the whole town know of what John Proctor had done, as well as reveal Abigail for the harlot she was. Instead of the illusion she had put on as God's holy servant. But instead, she lied. Breaking her title of never lying in her life, because she knew what her husband's name meant to him.
And when Reverend Hale begged her to convince her husband to confess, she only told John to do what he thought was best. Even going as far to apologizing for her behavior towards him, driving John to lust after Abigail. Finally when the time came for John to confess,he tore up the confession, all for the fact it would ruin his good name. Instead of convincing him otherwise, yell at him that he was throwing his life away, she stood by his decision. Hugging him one last time before he was sent to be hanged. Again, Reverend Hale begged her to convince him to sign his name and confess. But Elizabeth knew what his decision meant to him, as well as his name. She knew and she refused to take that away from him. There are many things that played there part in the events that lead up to the events in the Crucible, everyone played a part, whether they be a bystander or a main persecutor. Though it may not seem like it, I think Elizabeth overall was a crucial character. She's a wonderful woman, a faithful wife, and a disciple of her faith. Elizabeth may not have been the most important character but she certainly did leave her mark.