Who Is The Most And Least Flawed In The Crucible? - Ranked
Masterclass.com defines “character flaw” as “a trait that prevents a character
from being perfect. Sometimes this fatal flaw leads to a character’s demise.” In
the play The Crucible, most of the characters have character flaws (nobody is
perfect, right?) However, there are characters that obviously have more
character flaws; flaws that lead to lies, death, and social imbalance.
Of the seven characters (John Proctor, Abigail Williams, Reverend Hale, Reverend Parris, Mary Warren, Judge Danforth, Mr. Putnam), I believe that Reverend Hale is the least flawed. Reverend Hale started off supporting the witch hunt, but then began to reverse his belief system. Reverend Hale would eventually try to talk to Judge Danforth. On page 99, Reverend Hale says to Judge Danforth, “I dare not take a life without there be a proof so immaculate no slightest qualm of conscience may doubt it.”
The second least flawed character is Reverend Parris. Reverend Parris is power-motivated and many folks in the town do not care much for him. Reverend Parris seems to care more about his reputation in town and keeping up appearances since he is a man of the church. Reverend Parris was immediately worried about his reputation after learning about witchcraft. He says to Mr. Putnam on page 16 about his reputation, “In my house? In my house, Thomas? They will topple me with this!”
Mary Warren is the third most flawed character. Throughout the play she tries to help others except when at the end she pretends to see whatever Abigail and the rest of the girls are seeing when they are in court. During the time Mary Warren was telling the truth, her character seemed less flawed. On page 107, Mary says to Hawthorne, “I - I cannot tell how, but I did. I - I heard the other girls screaming, and you, Your Honor, you seemed to believe them, and I - It were only sport in the beginning, sir, but then the whole world cried spirits, spirits, and I - I promise you, Mr. Danforth, I only thought I saw them but I did not.” Later in the play, on page 119, Mary turns on John Proctor, accusing John Proctor of telling her, “I’ll murder you, he says, if my wife hangs! We must go and overthrow the court, he says!” Which of course was a lie.
Mr. Putnam is the next most flawed character. Mr. Putnam tries to achieve personal gain from the witch trials and make himself more powerful and wealthy. He is quick to judge and accuse. Mr, Putnam wants to hang Tituba immediately after her “false” confession and believe the lies. On page 44, Mr. Putnam says, (after Abigail accuses Tituba), about Tituba, “This woman must be hanged! She must be taken and hanged!”
After Mr. Putnam, Judge Danforth is the next most flawed character. He is a selfish person that basically blackmails people that are getting judged to falsely confess, so he seems more credible. He thinks that he is the best judge in the entire world, but really he is a bully. On page 94, Judge Danforth says to Francis, “No, old man, you have not hurt these people if they are of good conscience. But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between.” He is saying that people are either with him or against him; if they are not with him, watch out!
Second to last for least flawed characters is John Proctor. He is a man that is extremely flawed. He sleeps with a minor, commits adultery, and unfairly treats people around him. At the end portion of the play, he shows a moral shift that shows that he has changed personally. On page 110, John Proctor says to Judge Danforth about Abigail, “I have known her, sir. I have known her.” On page 143, Mr. Proctor says to Judge Danforth about why he cannot go through with his false confession, “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!"
The most flawed of the seven characters is Abigail Williams. Abigail wants to get rid of Elizabeth, John Proctor’s wife, so that she can be with him. From the very beginning of the play, Abigail lies and she maintains her lies throughout. On page 43, Abigail says, “I never sold myself! I’m a good girl! I’m a proper girl!” (Mrs. Putnam enters with Tituba, and instantly Abigail points at Tituba.) “She made me do it! She made Betty do it!” After Tituba falsely “confesses”, Abigail joins her in naming the falsely accused. On page 102, Judge Danforth is confronting Abigail about what Mary said about none of them seeing, “spirits, apparitions, nor any manifest of the Devil” and asking Abigail to “drop your guile and confess your pretense. Is there any truth in this?” Abigail responds, “No, sir.’
All of the characters in The Crucible have flaws, none are perfect. However, of
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