What was John Proctor accused of?

Study for The Crucible Test with engaging questions and comprehensive explanations. Master the material and prepare for your exam confidently with tailored study resources.

The most significant accusation against John Proctor in "The Crucible" is witchcraft. As a pivotal character in the play, Proctor finds himself entangled in the hysteria that sweeps through Salem, precipitated by the Salem witch trials. Initially, he is resistant to the madness surrounding him and tries to defend his wife, Elizabeth, who is unjustly accused of being a witch.

Proctor's character is particularly complex due to his personal failings, including his affair with Abigail Williams, which adds another layer to the accusations against him later in the play. The accusation of witchcraft symbolizes the larger themes of reputation, guilt, and the consequences of a rigid society fueled by fear.

While Proctor's ability to "faint on command" is referred to in the context of other characters trying to manipulate situations during the trials, it is not an accusation directed at him. Instead, it is his association with witchcraft and ultimately his quest for redemption that form the crux of his narrative arc.

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