"Playwrights manipulate the development of characters and ideas as much to provide food for thought as to entertain." Arthur Miller's The Crucible purposely manipulates the central character's development to reveal ideas that are both food for thought and have pure entertainment value. Reputation is paramount to anyone not only in the exclusive Puritan society of Salem of 1692, but in any society. Miller influences the audience with his drama by serving a feast that questions one's individual position in the world, giving us not just a dinner, but also a show. Miller introduces us to the character of John Proctor as the central protagonist and the roast of the play to provide us with an enjoyable meal to digest for reflection. Although John Proctor is seen as an upright, honest, and forthright man, he has a secret, fatal flaw. His lust for Abigail Williams led to their affair and created Abigail's jealousy of his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, which instigates the entire witch hysteria movement. This serves more as a plot point for entertainment purposes, rather than an organic trait of John Proctor. Miller is able to reveal this to us and sympathize with Proctor because of the atmosphere of guilt within the Proctor family which mirrors similar conditions within Puritan society. Proctor has expressed his remorse for his infidelity and asked for forgiveness, but there is no sense of catharsis within the marriage nor capacity for full reconciliation. Proctor's marriage is stagnant and suffocating, as the fact of John's adultery taints every conversation as if it were curdled milk. Miller here is able to suggest from the very beginning of the audience's introduction to John Proctor that, as the res...... middle of paper ...... "Now he has his goodness, God forbid that take it from him!" that as long as we maintain our personal integrity, that what we do is right in our mind, our conscience will be clear and we can live our life in enjoyment. In fact, Miller leaves us chewing on the ideas of The Crucible once the food has been consumed. canceled and the show is over. It seems to suggest that, although we may be tempted to do what society perceives as morally incorrect, society's judgments of how we have acted should not dictate what we think of ourselves. If we can identify what we did wrong and repent to the extent that we are satisfied with Proctor's choice not to sign the confession, then we can rest easy for the rest of our days. In this way, Miller reveals that we should maintain strong personal integrity for our own good, rather than worrying about societal pressures..