John Proctor: Stooge or Hero?

I believe John Proctor is a hero.  John Proctor had committed an irrefutable act. He cheated on his wife Elizabeth. To be more specific, John had an affair with their former servant Abigail. In Salem, only three people knew of this and that would be John, Elizabeth, and Abigail. In his little Christian community, he had sinned big time. John tries to avoid Abigail and only have eyes for his wife. He convinces himself that the past is behind him. But Abigail says she “knows” him. Abigail tells him that both of them have heat for each other. She believes what they have isn’t over. John then confesses that he has noticed her.

When the time came for Mary Warner’s testimony, John tried to cover up his little affair with Abigail. He tried hard to keep it hidden by calling Abigail a fraud. But in the end, John failed to keep it a secret. By confessing his sins to the court full of people, he managed to muster up the courage to do so. When his wife tried to save him, he just cut her off and said it’s too late. There was no use in telling anymore lies. The truth was spoken. John is a man of pride and courage. He won’t let his life be swallowed up in concealment forever.