Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible' is clearly a representation of the true meaning of tragedy. John Proctor was, in fact, the medium, the tool, of which Miller utilized to convey a universal depiction of tragedy. A broad definition of a tragic hero is a protagonist who, through faults and flaws of his own and in the society in which he exists, falters in the grand scheme of things. This mistake leads to suffering, which ultimately leads to a self-realization. Miller, himself, has said, 'Tragedy, then, is the consequence of a man's total compulsion to evaluate himself justly,' leading us to believe that a greater theme encompasses this downfall. Miller, as well as many other literary critics seem to convey that tragedy revolves around two universal aspects: fear and freedom. 'The Crucible' is a direct parallel to the multiple ideals of tragedy and thus centers around John Proctor's fear and freedom while he exists as a tragic hero.
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