John Proctor's Power in The Crucible Essay Example

Power is defined as, “the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.” In the drama, written by Arthur Miller, The Crucible, constant power plays happen between all characters, whether that power is Referent, Legitimate, Expert, Coercive, Information, or Reward. John Proctor has built a name for himself in the town of Salem but that reputation is soon ruined. Yet, John manages to make excellent use of his power, forever uprooting the true inhumanity of the Salem witch trials. 

John Proctor has a good reputation in Salem, already having a solid foundation of Referent power, the power given to someone because they are liked and respected. John Proctor is described as “respected and even feared in Salem” (Miller, 144; act 1). This type of power is hard to phrasal. Referent power isn’t like Coercive power, using punishments or threats, or Legitimate power, power because of one’s position or title. They rely heavily on the will of people to obey them, making these powers extremely unreliable. 

All suddenly comes crashing down when John Proctor is put into a compromising position and has to confess to committing adultery, having slept with Abigail. He tries to delegitimize Abigail’s outlandish accusations by divulging Abigail’s true feelings of jealousy towards Elizabeth. John Proctor’s name is abruptly tainted. Then comes a second and final blow to his reputation when Mary Warren accuses John of witchcraft, exclaiming “You’re the Devil’s man!” (Miller 3.108-109). John Proctor admits to this false accusation, taken to be put in shackles and sentenced to death. A truly frustrating turn of events. 

Then, when it seems that John has completely lost all of his power, he makes the last-minute decision to not sign the paper to admit to witchcraft. John insists that “it is [his] name! Because [he] cannot have another in [his] life!” (Miller, 4.25-26), therefore completely stripping Danforth of any of his Legitimate power, a power which is given because of their title or position. This comes as a complete shock to Danforth, thinking that his position and power as a judge would never be tested like this. John Proctor does not take the easy way out; admitting to witchcraft and living a relatively peaceful life, but instead keeping his integrity and demanding respect. By choosing not to admit to witchcraft, John successfully turns the tables, regaining his Referent power through admirable defiance. But, his honesty is a double-edged sword, for he will be hanged. Although John could have easily lied, he instead puts the lives of his children before his own. Right up until the end he considers the consequences of lying, his two boys having to forever be taunted by the people of Salem for having a father who practiced witchcraft. 

John Proctor, although he does lose his power halfway through the play, proves just how effective Referent power can be. His adamancy to remain with integrity and not succumb to the threats of Coercive power makes his name respected among the people of the town. John Proctor is truly a good man whose death surely disrupts the confidence Salem had in the witch trials being an effective tool to respond to accusations of witchcraft.