Ethical behavior is, surprisingly, a rare trait in humanity. Integrity is often overlooked until it shows up in someone at a specific time. In the 1950s, during the McCarthy era, many were arrested on suspicion of communism. The lack of ethical behavior during this period caused people to turn against and distrust each other, regardless of previous companionship. No one contradicts the accusations even to save a friend or colleague. In Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, morality and the lack thereof are crucial themes in The Crucible, but a rare and special trait in the characters. John Proctor is a character who fully embodies the theme of integrity in The Crucible, but his integrity is buried deep within him. From the moment John Proctor is introduced, Arthur Miller makes it clear that Proctor's image of himself is distorted compared to how he is seen by others. Proctor considers himself a bad person. However, outwardly, he has a very confident and assertive manner. Because of his crime of infidelity, he struggles with a great deal of internal turmoil. Miller describes this struggle in his introduction of Proctor by saying, “He is a sinner, a sinner not only against the moral fashion of the time, but against his own vision of dignified conduct” (19). The author sets the stage perfectly by giving readers a hint at the intricate plot of The Crucible and how the flawed character of Proctor is woven into the story. Even though he is not a happy man inside, he presents himself in a completely different way. Everyone respects Proctor and recognizes him as someone not to be messed with. He is “respected and even feared in Salem” (19). However, some resent him for his bluntly honest personality. Miller once again illustrates the whole... half of the card... the Crucible, ethical characters adhere to their true beliefs and are not swayed by the influence of the court. During the hysteria in Salem, Proctor grows as a character and eventually makes peace with himself. Miller carefully examines the theme of ethical behavior in the play to draw a parallel with hysteria during the McCarthy era. In 1950s America it took a lot of integrity to refute accusations of communism leveled at public figures. Although the witchcraft hysteria of the late 1600s and that of the McCarthy era are different in many ways, both were resolved through universal human integrity. The ability to perform a morally good action and ignore the possibility that it may be harmful to oneself is a valuable trait that should not be overlooked. Works Cited Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 2003. Print.
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