Unit 3 - American Drama Project

Adriana Maroto
12/8/2022
Ms. Manku
English 1
Unit 3: American Drama Project

For the paper I have chosen the conflict of Proctor against himself which reflects guilt and
temptation, the next is that of Proctor and Abigail which ends up provoking the witchcraft
practices and trials, and finally the conflict of Proctor against Putnam over land.
Conflict #1
John Proctor is the main character in Arthur Miller's drama The Crucible. While the traits and
internal conflict of this character truly transcend time, it is important to keep in mind the
cultural and historical setting of the play to fully understand John's motivation. This drama is
based on historical events and is set in the Puritan town of Salem, Massachusetts. The once
quiet farming town is thrown into hysterics by a literal witch hunt.
Proctor's most important internal conflict is the sin he committed, adultery. Proctor cheated
on his wife with Abigail Williams, and Proctor feels incredibly guilty because he is
"respected and even feared" in the town. He went to great lengths and managed to keep this
moral crime to himself. He still walked around Salem as if he were "a quiet soul," but
avoiding sin again would be a difficult task. Abigail flirts with him to win him over last night
and it is obvious that Proctoris having difficulty keeping her away. He overcomes this
struggle and tries to remain committed to his already annoying wife, but he had already
committed a treacherous sin. John Proctor had to spend the rest of his days in disgusting self-
reproach. Throughout the novel, John Proctor debates whether or not he is an honest man.
Although he keeps his sin a secret from the rest of the town, his wife knows he is an
adulterer.
Conflict #2
There have been many people who cheat on their wives or husbands and end up with a
terrible outcome. In Arthur Miller's story The Crucible, John Proctor and Abigail Williams
have an affair and this creates many problems and ends in a tragic outcome in the play.
The major conflict between John Proctor and Abigail Williams at the opening of the play
relates to her hatred of Elizabeth Proctor, John's wife.This is an external conflict between two
characters.
In the first act, the two discuss their past relationship, as well as Abigail's still-present
feelings for John, as well as his admission that he may still have feelings for her. The conflict
between John and Abigail erupts again when Abigail tries to accuse Elizabeth of being a
witch (using her understanding of the doll Mary Warren made in court, as well as the needle
in the doll's belly).
In the play, it is soon revealed that she has been having an affair with Abigail, who works as
her servant. This conflict leads to a complex set of events and, ultimately, to John Proctor's
death.
Adriana Maroto
12/8/2022
Ms. Manku
English 1
At the beginning of the play, Abigail expresses her desire to resume her relationship with
Proctor. He refused, but Abigail will not give in. After the witch's accusations began to swirl
with Salem and accused many, Abigail had the opportunity to condemn Proctor, Elizabeth's
wife, in an attempt to reject her. Defending his wife against these charges, Proctor went to
court, where he publicly denounced Abigail and admitted his infidelity.
Abigail's persistence in exposing false accusations eventually led him to admit his adultery in
court. Proctor is sentenced to death and has not cleared his wife of the charges against him.
Abigail's need for Proctor's affection is finally exceeded by her reluctance to admit her
mistakes and lies.
Conflict #3
In The Crucible, Arthur Miller frequently provides information about the characters through
stage notes, often inserted when the characters first appear in the action of the play. When
Miller introduces Thomas Putnam in The Crucible, he explains that Putnam holds a grudge
and feels undervalued by the Salem community. Despite having long been one of Salem's
wealthiest families, the Putnams did not rise to prominent positions in the church or
government. Miller then suggests that Putnam is willing to take any action that he believes
will enhance his social status, including making a series of false accusations that cause too
many people and too much of a mess in the plot play's events. This is an external conflict
between two characters.
The main dispute between John Proctor and Thomas Putnam in The Crucible is about who
owns a particular tract of land and, consequently, who has the right to harvest what is grown
on it. At the opening of the play, Proctor requests Giles Corey's help in bringing timber to his
farm from the woods on his land. Putnam heard this request and started arguing with Proctor,
saying that the land was already pointed at Putnam. Putnam's reason was that his grandfather
would leave the land to Putnam. However, Proctor testified that he had purchased the land
from Rebecca Nurse's husband. Giles Corey seconded Proctor, saying that Putnam's
grandfather was in the habit of inheriting land that did not belong to him. This is just one
example of Putnam always looking for possible wrongdoing, reporting his actions throughout
the play as he quickly brings charges and helps witnesses accused of witchcraft.
Finally, although the three conflicts are of different types and for different reasons, they all
have something in common and are caused on the one hand by Proctor's adultery. Although
the end of the story is tragic, we can see how the characters evolve throughout the play.
Adriana Maroto
12/8/2022
Ms. Manku
English 1
Works Cited page
"Conflict in The Crucible - Video and Lesson Transcript | Study.com." study.com, study.com,
study.com/academy/lesson/conflict-in-the-crucible.html#:~:text=not%20in%20vain.-,Lesson
%20Summary,the%20plot%20of%20this%20play. Accessed August 16, 2022.
"The Crucible's Test Act 4 Summary." SAT / ACT prep blog online by PrepScholar,
blog.prepscholar.com/the-crucible-act-4-summary. Accessed August 16, 2022.
"Examples Of Conflict In The Crucible - 1329 Words | bartleby". Homework help and
textbook solutions | bartleby, www.bartleby.com/essay/Examples-Of-Conflict-In-The-
Crucible-FJKT2BA2R. Accessed August 16, 2022.
"What is the conflict between Abigail Williams and John Proctor in The Crucible?" eNotes
Editorial, 9 Oct. 2016, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-is-the-conflict-
between-abigail-williams-and-339419. Accessed 16 Aug. 2022.

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