In The Crucible. Elizabeth Proctor is a victim and an exemplification of virtue.
Learn how Elizabeth manages to stay true to her ethics despite immense pressure and the impact of her actions on the dizzying drama that unfolds.
The Crucible Quotes With Page Numbers
Elizabeth Proctor Character Traits
Elizabeth Proctor, a complex character from Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” plays a pivotal role in the narrative.
While Elizabeth is initially presented as a modest and dutiful wife in the Puritanical society of Salem, her character develops significantly throughout the story.
Elizabeth Proctor is introduced as a loving mother and wife, as indicated when the narrator describes her softly singing to the children (The Crucible, Page 47). This gentle maternal affection underscores her compassionate nature and the dignity she upholds.
Elizabeth values honesty and integrity, as evidenced by her conversations with John Proctor. She urges John to expose the accusations of witchcraft as fraud and reveal the truth about Abigail’s manipulations (The Crucible, Pages 52-53).
Despite the strain in their relationship due to John’s infidelity, Elizabeth showcases immense strength and resilience. When confronted with John’s betrayal, she acknowledges her hurt feelings but also explains her understanding: “There is a promise made in any bed” (The Crucible, Page 58).
Further revealing Elizabeth’s fortitude is her finding the courage to assert herself when needed, as seen when she challenges John for not being open with her (The Crucible, Page 52). This highlights her demand for respect and honesty within their relationship.
Equally significant is Elizabeth’s understanding of the societal dynamics in Salem. She is acutely aware of the sinister motivations behind the witch trials, particularly Abigail’s intention to replace her as John’s wife (The Crucible, Page 58). This realization displays her astuteness and awareness of the manipulative behaviors of others.
Elizabeth is also portrayed as a moral compass in the narrative. She consistently displays a sense of justice and righteousness, even at the risk of ‘freezing beer,’ as John puts it (The Crucible, Page 53). She doesn’t shy away from standing up to falsehoods and corruption, as embodied by the Salem witch trials.
Towards the end, Elizabeth’s representation transforms from a victim rendered powerless by her husband’s infidelity to a woman embodying strength and forgiveness. Profoundly, she states, “I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you. I never thought you but a good man, John – only somewhat bewildered” (The Crucible, Page 58).
These words elucidate her profound understanding, compassion, and the ability to forgive.
Throughout Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” Elizabeth Proctor symbolizes resilience and dignity amid chaos. She stands above slander and fear-mongering, constantly shining a light on the path of integrity and truth.
Elizabeth Proctor Quotes Act 2
“From above, Elizabeth is heard softly singing to the children.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, The Narrator about Elizabeth Proctor, Page 47
“Elizabeth: Pray God. It hurt my heart to strip her, poor rabbit. She sits and
watches him taste it.”~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor to John Proctor, Page 48
“Proctor, as gently as he can: Cider? 51 Elizabeth, with a sense of reprimanding herself for having forgot: Aye! She gets up and goes and pours a glass for him.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor and John Proctor, Page 48
“Elizabeth: It is a mouse no more. I forbid her go, and she raises up her chin like
the daughter of a prince and lays to me, “I must go to Salem, Goody Proctor; I
am an official of the court!”~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor to John Proctor, Page 50
“Elizabeth, with a smile, to keep her dignity: John, if it were not Abigail that you must go to hurt, would you falter now? I think not.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor to John Proctor, Page 52
“Proctor: Court! What court?
Elizabeth: Aye, it is a proper court they have now. They’ve sent four judges out of Boston, she says, weighty magistrates of the General Court, and at the head sits the Deputy Governor of the Province.
PRoCTOR, astonished: Why, she’s mad.
Elizabeth: I would to God she were. There be fourteen people in the jail now, she says. Proctor simply looks at her, unable to grasp it. And they’ll be tried, and the court have power to hang them too, she says.
Proctor, scoffing, but without conviction: Ah, they’d never hang –
Elizabeth: The Deputy Governor promise hangin’ if they’ll not confess, John. The town’s gone wild, I think. She speak of Abigail, and I thought she were a saint, to hear her. Abigail brings the other girls into the court, and where she walks the crowd will part like the sea for Israel. And folks are brought before them, and if they scream and howl and fall to the floor – the person’s clapped in the jail for bewitchin’ them.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor and John Proctor, Page 52
“Proctor, wide-eyed: Oh, it is a black mischief.
Elizabeth: I think you must go to Salem, John. He turns to her. I think so. You must tell them it is a fraud.
Proctor, thinking beyond this: Aye, it is, it is surely.
Elizabeth: Let you go to Ezekiel Cheever – he knows you well. And tell him what she said to you last week in her uncle’s house. She said it had naught to do with witchcraft, did she not?
Proctor, in thought: Aye, she did, she did. Now, a pause.
Elizabeth, quietly, fearing to anger him by prodding: God for-bid you keep that from the court, John. I think they must be told.
Proctor, quietly, struggling with his thought: Aye, they must, they must. It is a wonder they do believe her.
Elizabeth: I would go to Salem now, John – let you go tonight.
Proctor: I’ll think on it.
Elizabeth, with her courage now: You cannot keep it, John,”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor to John Proctor, Pages 52-53
“John, you are not being open with me.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor to John Proctor, Page 52
“Oh. Elizabeth, your justice would freeze beer.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, John Proctor to Elizabeth Proctor, Page 53
“There is a promise made in any bed.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor, Page 58
“It is her dearest hope, John, I know it. There be a thousand names; why does she call mine? There be a certain danger in calling such a name – I am no Goody Good that sleeps in ditches, nor Osburn, drunk and half-witted. She’d dare not call out such a farmer’s wife but there be monstrous profit in it. She thinks to take my place, John.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor, Page 58
“I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you. I never thought you but a good man, John – only somewhat bewildered.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor, Page 64
“Elizabeth, with great fear: I will fear nothing.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth, Page 74
Elizabeth Proctor Act 3 Quotes
“Your Honor, I – in that time I were sick. And I – My husband is a good and righteous man. He is never drunk as some are, nor wastin’ his time at the shovelboard, but always at his work. But in my sickness – you see, sir, I were a long time sick after my last baby, and I thought I saw my husband somewhat turning from me. And this girl – She turns to Abigail.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth, Pages 104-05
Elizabeth Proctor Act 4 Quotes
“It is as though they stood in a spinning world.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth, Page 123
“She catches a weakening in herself and downs it. She will not let herself be drowned in the sea that threatens her.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth, Page 124
“Great stones they lay upon his chest until he plead aye or nay. They say he give them but two words. “More weight,” he says. And died.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth, Page 125
“John, it come to naught that I should forgive you, if you’ll not forgive yourself.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor, Page 126
“It is not my soul, John, it is yours. Only be sure of this, for I know it no Whatever you will do, it is a good man does it. I have read my own heart this three month, John. I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery… I counted myself so plain, so poorly made, no honest love could come to me! Suspicion kissed you when I did; I never knew how I should say my love.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor to John Proctor, Act Four, Page 126
“…I can. And there’s your first marvel, that I can. You have made your magic now, for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor. Not enough to weave a banner with, but white enough to keep it from such dogs.
(Elizabeth, in a burst of terror, rushes to him and weeps against his hand.)
Give them no tear! Tears pleasure them. Show honor now, show a stony heart and sink them with it!”~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, John Proctor and Elizabeth, Page 133
“He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor about John Proctor, Act Four, Page 134
What does Proctor say Elizabeth Cannot do?
Proctor asserts that his wife, Elizabeth, is incapable of lying. This defense is made in their discussion about revealing Abigail’s falseness to the court.
What is Elizabeth Proctor’s flaw?
Elizabeth Proctor’s flaw lies in her cold and unforgiving nature, which initially inhibits her from pardoning her husband, John, for his affair with Abigail.
However, her character also displays a vengeful side, as she spreads negative rumors about Abigail, showcasing an imperfect human side to her otherwise moral and righteous persona.
What does Elizabeth say to John in Act 4?
“John, it come to naught that I should forgive you, if you’ll not forgive yourself…It is not my soul, John, it is yours. Only be sure of this, for I know it now: Whatever you will do, it is a good man does it.”
~Arthur Miller, The Crucible, Elizabeth Proctor To John Proctor, Page 126
What does Elizabeth Proctor symbolize?
Elizabeth Proctor symbolizes integrity and unwavering faith in Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible.’ Her character stands as a beacon of morality and steadfastness, refusing to succumb to the hysteria of witchcraft accusations, even under immense pressure and personal trials.
Why does Elizabeth forgive Proctor?
Elizabeth forgives Proctor because she realizes that her coldness and inability to express love may have led to his affair with Abigail.
Upon this realization, she understands that she, too, has sins to account for, letting go of her anger and helping Proctor find forgiveness within himself before his death.
Why does Elizabeth blame herself for John’s adultery?
Elizabeth blames herself for John’s adultery because she believes her lack of self-love and cold demeanor as a wife led to John’s affair with Abigail.
She experiences an epiphany while in prison, understanding that her inability to receive John’s love resulted from her self-esteem issues and failure to express her love effectively.