Compare and contrast the characters of John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor. Discuss such topics as the positive and negative aspects of their personalities, their personal views on their situation, and their decision to follow their convictions.
This is, of course, your essay topic. John and Elizabeth are contrasting characters, especially in the early stages of the play. Both are of high moral character except John is adulterous. He covers his adultery with conjecture and lies. The marriage is strained and rather cold. Still as the play goes on, John begins to find his moral compass again and the two share a bond with a similar moral high ground. I would consider the following points,
-John's initial cheating
-the strained marriage (the whole rabbit stew thing)
-Elizabeth lying for her husband.
-John unable to lie any longer condemning his wife and himself
