John And Elizabeth example essay topic

Character revelation is how a character is portrayed to the audience. The relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor in Arthur Miller's, The Crucible is presented in two different stages throughout the play. The first stage is a troubled relationship lacking in chemistry. The second stage is that of acceptance, presenting a clear picture to the audience of the love between John and Elizabeth. The First Stage The relationship is cold, lacking in chemistry, it is very awkward. There is a gap between John and Elizabeth that creates the coldness.

Both are aware of this. John says,' You ought to bring some flowers in the house... It's winter in here yet. ' (51) The relationship is awkward because neither John nor Elizabeth know how to talk to each other. Elizabeth is still suspicious of John. She says,' - She doesn't want friction, and yet she must: You come so late I though you'd gone to Salem this afternoon.

' (51) Elizabeth is constantly worried that John has gone to see Abigail. John feels guilt for what he has done. He feels that he will never live it down, and feels that Elizabeth will never forgive him. John says,'s pare me! You forget nothing' and forgive nothing'...

I have gone tiptoe in this house all seven month since she is gone. I have not moved... without I think to please you, ... I cannot speak but I am doubted... ' (54-55) This is also shown when he says,' I see now your spirit twists around the single error of my life, and I will never tear it free!' (62) He suffers from self-hate. John's guilt is shown when he cannot remember the commandment about adultery. Elizabeth says,' Adultery, John.

' (67) He wants to make Elizabeth happy. John says,' If the crop is good I'll buy George Jacob's heifer... I mean to please you, Elizabeth. ' (50) Lack of chemistry and trust, John's self-hate and guilt, and the uncertainty of how to speak to each other creates the gap between the two in the first stage presented to the audience.

The Second Stage This stage starts around the end of Act Two. Throughout the rest of the play, John and Elizabeth have time to think about what happened between them. Both come to an acceptance. John accepts himself, and his actions.

Elizabeth accepts what has happened and part of the blame. This stage shows the true love and chemistry between the two. John's passionate love for his wife is shown at the beginning of this stage. John says when Elizabeth is being arrested,' I will fall like an ocean on the court! Fear nothing, Elizabeth!' (78) He plans to save her no matter what. John's strong love is further shown when chains are placed on his wife.

He says,' Damn you, man, you will not chain her! Off with them! I'll not have it! I will not have her chained!' (78) His love, and his eventual acceptance of what he must do is shown when Proctor says,' My wife will never die for me! I will bring your guts into your mouth but that goodness will not die for me!' (80) Elizabeth comes to terms with what happened.

Her love shows when she tried to save John. She says to Danforth,' 'My husband is a goodly man sir. ' 'Then he didn't turn from you... ' 'No sir. ' ' (113) Elizabeth accepts that she was partially responsible for what happened.

And confesses to John that she never knew how to tell him her love. She says,' I have read my heart this three month, John... I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery... John, 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 to say my love.

It were a cold house I kept!' (137) Elizabeth refuses to judge John if he wants to live. She wants him to live. He must do what he believes is right. She says,' I cannot judge you, John... I want you living, John. That's sure...

Only be sure of this, for I know it now: Whatever you will do, it is a good man does it... Do what you will. But let none be your judge. There is no higher under heaven than Proctor is! Forgive me, forgive me, John- I never knew such goodness in the world!' (135-137) Elizabeth recognizes John's self-hate and tells him he must forgive himself. ' John, it come naught that I should forgive you, if you " ll not forgive yourself.

' (136) Elizabeth recognizes that by John saving his name and dying he has come to an acceptance of himself. She says,' He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!' (145) John realizes he is a good man and comes to acceptance of himself. He says,' 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, but white enough to keep it from such dogs. ' (144) At the end of the second stage the love of John and Elizabeth has been fully established. They have both worked out their problems. They have both come to an acceptance of themselves and a better understand of what occurred between them. Their true love is fully revealed to the audience.