The Crucible 2007 Question 3: Choose a play in which a character makes a crucial error. Explain what the error is and discuss to what extent this is important to your understanding of the characters situation in the play as a whole.

Introduction Theme – Reputation, Identity John Proctor makes a crucial error in the play – He commits adultery with Abigail Williams. Proctors actions have lead to his dilemma of whether to confess or not. – Confess and live but lose his good name, or die and salvage his self respect and integrity. Relate this to the question.

Main Body Paragraph one: Explaining his error. Link back to the beginning of the play with Abigail Proctor makes a crucial error when he has an affair with Abigail Williams “ You are no wintry man- John Proctor” Miller’s choice of the words “no wintry man” suggests that Abigail and Proctor had a heated relationship. “Wintry” contrasts with Elizabeth’s quote: “I do keep a cold house.” As a result of Proctor’s error he risks his relationship with Elizabeth and is faced with his dilemma

Proctor’s Dilemma He can confess and stay alive but lose his reputation, his name, his integrity and his idea of himself. The alternative is to die and by not implicating other people and by not confessing falsely, he can restore his sense of himself, integrity, pride and reputation.

Why is Proctor’s name so important to him? Proctor does not sign the confession “How may I live without my name? Have given you my soul; leave me my name.” The act of signing reveals true and final justice of his position. This is symbolic of his integrity and shame.

Conclusion The title is important as it emphasises something pure coming out of something impure, which relates to the play as a whole as Proctor makes a mistake but by the end of the play his dignity and reputation is restored.